Tauranga’s Reopened Māori Lake: Omanawa Falls 🌊

I just heard my teacher and classmates talk about Omanawa Falls in class recently—and today, I finally tracked it down on the map! 🗺️ Word is, the trail was closed for renovations for a while after an accident, but it’s just reopened… and it’s totally worth the wait! 📍 How to Get There For the closest parking lot, search “Omanawa Falls Track Car Park” on Google Maps. It’s about a 15-minute drive from Tauriko Crossing Shopping Center—5km on the highway plus 10km of mountain roads. Once you park, you can head straight into the trail—super convenient, no confusing detours! 🚗 🥾 The Trail: 3 Sections to Explore The trail is split into three parts—pick based on your energy and what you want to see! 1. Te Tae Omanawa Lookout** It’s only a 10-minute walk from the parking lot! Along the way, you’ll pass a grassy area fenced with iron rails… and here’s the *surprise*: deer! 🦌 When I went around noon, I saw a whole herd of deer running down the hillside—and even spotted the “deer king”! But fair warning: seeing deer is luck-based—they roam the entire valley, so sometimes you’ll only catch a distant glimpse… or none at all. Fingers crossed for you! 2. Wairere Tapu Lookout** *This is a must-visit!* It’s a mid-hill viewpoint that overlooks the waterfall and the “sacred lake”—the view here is unbeatable. You’ll see the waterfall cascading into the valley, with rainbows 🌈 glinting in the water spray, all set against blue skies and lush forests. It’s so stunning, it’ll make you gasp! And it’s easy to get to—just climb a few minutes of wooden stairs. Don’t skip this one! 3. Te Harikoa Lookout** This section is a bit more challenging. Even though it’s only 700 steps, the design feels “anti-human”—you go down first, then up, then down again. By the end, you’ll definitely feel the burn! 😅 Worse, you can’t even see the waterfall at the end—only hear the water. It’s more like a workout hike, where you’re just focused on pushing through. Save this for if you’re confident in your stamina! 📝 Final Thoughts If you live in Tauranga or Rotorua and want a weekend hike with waterfalls, this is a great pick! - Just the first two lookouts: ~1 hour total, super easy. - All three sections: Be ready for a proper hike—round-trip takes about 2 hours. #TaurangaDayTrips #TaurangaHiking #NorthIslandNZ