Maclaren Falls

The park borders Lake McLaren, formed behind a dam built for hydro-electricity generation. There were small waterfalls and rocky pools. We also encountered a rooster at the parking lot guarding our car!

He couldn't possibly shoo away the rooster!

Te Rerekawau Falls (aka Kaiate Falls)

This area was probably the shortest track (about 30 minutes). There are many swimming holes and small waterfalls. At the bottom of the loop was a waterfall of about 7 feet high. Brodie was brave enough to jump off and swim the cold water.

Can you see Brodie?

Ananui Falls

The track was about 4 hours walk (return). We could not get to the bottom of the falls, but was able to walk all the way to the summit where we saw lush forest and the Mount (where we live).

At the top of the falls.

Bottom of the falls.

Wairere Falls

The Wairere Falls track was about 4 hour walk round trip. The falls is about 153 m high, has a fine grove of nikau, puriri and kohekohe, and an upper section of track takes you through tree ferns and totara in native forest. The falls lookout and summit has amazing views of the valley and the Waikato Plains.

Water Falls of Bay of Plenty

We have visited most of Bay of Plenty's water falls. The water was certainly cold (brr) but with 3mm wet suite, it was tolerable.

Whataroa waterfalls - favourite spot - about an hour loop into the Rimu Loop Walk , one would reach the falls of Whataroa waterfalls. There are many swimming holes around this track. Kiwis pronounce "Wh" as "F". The predominant trees around this mountain is called "Rimu" where the loop walk was named after. Rimu forms a very tall forest canopy tree growing to a height of more than 35-50 metres with a wide distribution throughout New Zealand.