There are five huts and five campsites on Lake Waikaremoana. Enjoy spectacular views on the Lake Waikaremoana track, Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/east-coast/places/te-urewera/things-to-do/tracks/lake-waikaremoana-great-walk/. The lake edge has since been modified by a hydro electric development which lowered the level by 5 metres in 1946. The lake lies in the heart of Tuhoe country. From the Maori Waikaremoana translates as 'sea of rippling waters'. Waikaremoana sits within the Te Urewera ranges, the homeland of the Tūhoe people (Nā Tamariki o te Kohu, the “children of the mist”). There are no fees for entry into Te Urewera or to complete a day walk on the track. Know the five simple rules of the Outdoor Safety Code. The highway is unsealed for about 80 kilometres between Murupara and the village of Tuai. Just before the Korokoro suspension bridge there is a turn-off to Korokoro Falls. Therefore, expect mud and less well-maintained tracks and facilities than we would normally experience on a Great Walk. Enjoy the view at Lake Waikaremoana Image: Kathrin & Stefan Marks | Creative Commons, The spectactular Korokoro Falls are well worth the detour Image: 90 Seconds ©, Mist over Lake Waikaremoana Image: Kathrin & Stefan Marks | Creative Commons, Stunning view at sunset Image: Leigh Nicholas ©, Lake Waikaremoana brochure (PDF, 4,313K) - includes map and profile. If you are hunting - use firearms carefully. provide for Te Urewera as a place for public use and enjoyment, for recreation, learning, and spiritual reflection, and as an inspiration for all. To receive the discount we need to sight your membership card and Backcountry Hut Pass, so please visit a DOC visitor centre in person. Parking can be very busy at the Lake during the summer season. Lake Waikaremoana is the quietest of all the Great Walks and is perfect for those who love a back country style walk. Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk Location: Waikaremoana can be approached from two directions. A brief climb over Whakaneke Ridge takes you to Marauiti Hut. The GPS took us the scenic eg long way, to the camping ground which you can start from...there is a much shorter route via Murapara & a long gravel road. If you’re booking campsites, you’ll need to know the number of people in your group as well as the number of tent sites required. Climbing fairly steeply, the trail crosses the neck of the Puketukutuku Peninsula, touching the edge of the Kiwi Reserve area. In 2014 the peninsula reached carrying capacity with around 200 adults, and so in 2015 a further fenced sanctuary was created by Tūhoe on Whareama peninsula. Discovering Lake Waikaremoana. A short track off the main track leads to the Maraunui Campsite. Select Great Walk * Select Great Walk Abel Tasman Coast Track Heaphy Track Kepler Track Lake Waikaremoana Track Milford Track Paparoa Track Rakiura Track Routeburn Track Tongariro Northern Circuit Whanganui Journey Dinner: instant soup, pasta or rice, dried vegetables or fruit, cheese or dehydrated (freeze-dried) meals. Stop here for supplies from the shop, peaceful and basic accommodation alongside the lake, information and water taxi bookings for the Great Walk. 86 reviews. Map of the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk in Te Urewera National Park. The track, while undulating, weaves its way through and up and over a number of small ridges, through young rimu wooded areas and along the lake edge. Walking boots or firm footwear (should be comfortable and well broken in), Under layers, top and bottom (wool or polypropylene), Raincoat (waterproof, windproof with hood), Extra socks, underwear, shirt/lightweight jersey, Breakfast: cereal/porridge/oats, firm bread, honey or other spreads, Lunch: cracker biscuits, cheese, salami, jam/jelly, fruit. Passing the former Armed Constabulary Redoubt near the start of the trail, the track then climbs steeply up onto Panekire Bluff. The Waiopaoa Campsite is nearby. Hotels near Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk; Hotels near Wairoa Museum; Hotels near Mangaone Caves Track; Hotels near Wairoa i-SITE Visitor Information Centre; Hotels near Te Reinga Falls; Hotels near Long River Gallery; Hotels near Takitimu Marae; Near Airports. The bluffs form part of the southern shore, and provide views over the expanse of the lake. Fire is a major threat. GAFFL Tours in Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk can save you travel costs as you can share costs with travel buddies for hotels and rental cars. If you want to do a Great Walk independently, you will need to book the DOC accommodation on the trails. Lake Waikaremoana lies between altitudes of 600 and 1200 m. The weather at Lake Waikaremoana is changeable. Panekire Hut sits in a small clearing next to the Panekire Trig point (1180 m), at the top of the cliffline, with views of the lake. The trail from Panekire Hut goes west, climbing and descending over the Panekire Range, before eventually descending precipitously into much taller and wetter forest. Journey through remote villages and dense rainforest, into the heart of Te Urewera and … It is classified as one of New Zealand's Great Walks, and is located in the former Te Urewera National Park. The track runs parallel to the lakeshore before rising over the neck of the Puketukutuku Peninsula, then down to the Tapuaenui Campsite on the Whanganui arm of the lake. If you get a discount you won't be charged a booking fee. Best get the map out, she’s a … The lowering of the lake for power generation has encouraged forest regeneration along the shore. Call in at the Te Urewera Visitor Centre for up-to-date information on weather and track conditions before you leave, and fill in your itinerary in hut books as you go. Location: 65.8km from Wairoa At the end of the descent lies Waiopaoa Hut and Campsite, on the edge of the Waiopaoa Inlet part of the lake. The fee for this varies between each Great Walk. Trace the shoreline of Lake Waikaremoana, the ‘sea of rippling waters’, through giant podocarp rainforest, remote beaches and rugged mountains with stunning views. Always identify your target. For more information about Lake Waikaremoana and the Great Walk, contact or visit: Wairoa Information CentrePhone: +64 6 838 7440Address: Cnr SH2 & Queet Street, WairoaPostal address: PO Box 54, Wairoa 4108Email: wairoainfo@wairoadc.govt.nz, Tourism EastlandPhone: +64 6 868 6139Fax: +64 6 868 6138Address: 209 Grey Street, GisbornePostal address: PO Box 170, Gisborne, Tourism Rotorua i-site and information centrePhone: +64 7 348 5179 Fax: +64 7 348 4133Address: 1167 Fenton St, RotoruaEmail: tourism.rotorua@rdc.govt.nz. The start and end of the trail are both on State Highway 38. Tūhoe wardens are stationed at Great Walk huts during peak season to welcome manuhiri (guests) to their home, and can share stories and information. lake waikaremoana great walk enquiries. I did it! We called ahead to the Big Bush Holiday Park, situated a few kilometers from the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk trailhead – in addition to offering extremely affordable backpackers’ accommodations, Big Bush also operated the water taxis that pick trampers up at the end of the trail (or at several of the huts along the … The track then follows the grassy Hopuruahine River flats to reach the Hopuruahine suspension bridge. The vegetation pattern is ever changing - disturbances by volcanic activity, fire and storm damage, possum and deer have modified the forest in many areas. Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. All the huts/campsites are also accessible by boat, except for Panekire Hut, and there are several boat-ramps along State Highway 38. It is classified as one of New Zealand's Great Walks, and is located in the former Te Urewera National Park. The Tūhoe tribal authority, Te Uru Taumatua, provides operational management of Te Urewera and the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk. It is recommended that you book in advance for this popular walk. Camping is only in approved camping areas and huts, which are alcohol-free. Half Day Small-Group Hawkes Bay Wine Tour. Join a small group 4 days / 3 nights all-inclusive New Zealand walking holiday Carry a day pack only Discounts are not available online. Boil, filter or chemically treat water if you doubt its purity. Water backed up behind this landslide to form a lake up to 248 metres deep. Located in Lake Waikaremoana area and Te Urewera in the East Coast region. Lake Waikaremoana Guided Walks; Hiking New Zealand; Booking a walk independently. Native plants and animals must not be disturbed, destroyed or removed. Both of New Zealand’s rare native bat species, the long-tailed and short-tailed, are present in Te Urewera. Onepoto via Wairoa or Hopuruahine Landing via Rotorua. Bring food that is lightweight, fast cooking and high in energy value. In 2013 Tūhoe and the Crown (government) settled the Crown’s historical breaches against Tūhoe, agreeing a unique approach to protecting Te Urewera in a way that reflects Tūhoetana, and New Zealand culture and values. A walk along the mountain ridge and shoreline track of Lake Waikaremoana, another one of New Zealand's beautiful Great Walks! Rearranging your walk to use a different combination of huts/campsites. Remember to take a portable stove and fuel, candles and toilet paper with you. They’re also keen to replace the current stock of DOC huts with new huts styled on the architecturally-designed, eco-buildings seen at Tāneatua and throughout the rohe. After crossing the bridge over the stream running into Marauiti Bay the track crosses a saddle to rejoin the shore at Te Totara Bay. It then follows the undulating ridgeline before reaching Puketapu Trig (1180 metres) and onto Panekire Hut. For those backpackers who have made it off the beaten track to get to Lake Waikaremoana will be rewarded with views of sparkling lakes, dramatic rock bluffs, magnificent forest and a ton of birdlife. From here the track follows the shore to Whanganui Hut  in a clearing alongside the Whanganui Stream. If you have your own vehicle, public parking is closest to Onepoto (at the Waikaremoana Motorcamp or DOC Visitor Centre). Access. The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is a 44-kilometre (27 mi) tramping track which follows the southern and western coast of Lake Waikaremoana in the North Island of New Zealand. They have a major impact on the ecology of the forest and its bird life. Lake Waikaremoana can be walked either from Onepoto in the south or Hopuruahine in the north. All native wildlife in Te Urewera is protected. Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk (27) 6.2 km. Walk some of the most spectacular sections of the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk track and explore the world-famous Whirinaki ‘Dinosaur’ Forest, while staying in comfortable lodgings. The intention is to repopulate the sanctuary with Kiwi juveniles from Puketukuku. Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts and campsites on the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk. Camping is permitted unless you are more than 500 metres from the track. Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk 21-23.07.2018 At 3 on Friday P’s van pulls up with a honk and a wave and we four Meetup trampers are off, over the Rimutakas enroute to … Te Urewera’s national park status was lifted and the land was removed from Crown ownership. This section has a very large number of meanders in the trail, as it follows the lakeside, and toward the Maraunui Campsite, follows a river upstream, before crossing it, and returning downstream. It’s a great place to stay the night and soak in the wilderness ambience. The track goes up to Panekire Hut so this could be tackled at the start or left to the end of your walk. At the mouth of the Waiopaoa inlet is Waiopaoa Hut. The area is formed from young mudstone, siltstone and sandstone, mostly about 10-15 million years old. Tūhoe offers a water taxi service to and from each end of the Great Walk, and to individual huts and campsites around the lake, out of Te Kura Whenua (Te Urewera Visitor Centre, Lake Waikaremoana). The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is a 44-kilometre (27 mi) tramping track which follows the southern and western coast of Lake Waikaremoana in the North Island of New Zealand. From here the track drops steeply off the range into rolling valleys of beech, podocarp and kamahi forest and the lake. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip. Drive around the sunny Hawkes Bay and get a taste of the region’s well-regarded wines on this small group tour. This track is not recommnded for children under age 10, because of the exposed mountainous environment and often adverse weather conditions. As well as doing the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk, there are loads of Lake Waikaremoana walks that range from a couple of minutes to eight hours. Bodies of Water. Walkers can travel to either end of the walk via water taxi. Tūhoe wardens are stationed at major Great Walk huts during peak season. This unique Great Walk is managed by the local iwi, Ngai Tuhoe, offering a chance to get amongst wilderness whilst also exploring indigenous culture! However, successive New Zealand governments ignored their own law, and acquired more and more land illegally. It is a hut-to-hut walking expedition, circumnavigating beautiful Lake Waikaremoana , with secluded beaches, fascinating history and truly breathtaking views. The track then stays close to the shore to Waiharuru Hut and Waiharuru Campsite. Hopuruahine Landing (at the GW Trail-end car park, note that this car park is 2 km off the main road). The forest is some of the best we've seen anywhere in the world. Backpack (40–60 litre size for multi-day hiking), First aid kit (including insect repellent, sunscreen, blisterkit, personal medication, eg antihistamine for allergy towasp stings), Survival kit (survival blanket, whistle, paper, pencil, highenergy snack food), Safety equipment relevant to the track and time of year (eg map, compass), Eating and cooking utensils (knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup,pot/pan/billy, cleaning kit, tea towel), Matches or lighter in waterproof container, Use a toilet when you see one and be prepared with a, For multi-day walking you'll need at least one set of clothes to walk in and another dry set to change into at night. Tūhoe see Te Urewera as their ancestor. Start Point: Follow Highway 38 to Onepoto Bay, where you take Onepoto Rd to the marked Trailhead. SH38 links Wairoa and the East Coast with the central North Island, and passes the lake and the Te Urewera Visitor Centre in Te Karetu (by the Waikaremoana Holiday Park). There are no rubbish facilities, so remember to care for nature and pack in/pack out anything you bring into Te Urewera. From Whanganui Hut, the track contours above the lake shore before a climb up and over the ridgeline into the Huiarau Stream. It was a pleasure to end our Great Walk by calling in to Te Wharehou o Waikaremoana Visitor Centre (at Te Karetu by the holiday park) to show our respect and gratitude. Tūhoe wardens are stationed at major Great Walk huts during peak season. From Panekire Hut, the track heads south-west down the range to the top of the Panekire descent. Bookings are open for trips to 30 June 2021. Lake Waikaremoana is located in Te Urewera in the North Island of New Zealand, 60 kilometres northwest of Wairoa and 80 kilometres west-southwest of Gisborne.It covers an area of 54 km 2 (21 sq mi). Air New Zealand is a national partner with DOC for conservation, and is proud to support DOC's Great Walks. The Lake Waikaremoana tramp Have just completed the 42.7km 3 day walk around part of Lake Waikaremoana in the Te Urewera forest. In 1954 the Crown announced the area as a national park without consulting Tūhoe. Read our hiking guide on how to trek around Lake Waikaremoana, where to stay, how to make your reservation, what to pack, and how to get to the trailhead and from the end of the hike by boat. [3] The nearest town to the trail is Wairoa, from where there are shuttles on demand to the lake. Pay your fees by booking the huts and/or campsites before you start the track. Flora and Fauna: What to look for on the Waikaremoana Track. Te Urewera is a rainforest, so tracks can become muddy. The track starts from the Onepoto Shelter through the former Armed Constabulary Redoubt and climbs steadily up to the top of Panekire Bluff.