Te Rere o Ōmanawa - Ōmanawa Falls

Ōmanawa Falls is a special area in the rohe of local hapū Ngāti Hangarau. Now, after safe access works to reinforce cliff faces and build walking tracks, the site is open to the public.

Ōmanawa Falls map (2mb pdf)

What you’ll find at Te Rere o Ōmanawa:

• Three lookout platforms providing panoramic views of the falls and wider Ōmanawa Valley. Information panels detail the cultural significance of the area to Ngāti Hangarau and the history of the Ōmanawa Falls Power Station.
• Carved tomokanga (gateway) and pou providing context on traditional Māori customs and how they apply at Ōmanawa Falls.
• An immersive ngahere (forest) walkway connecting the car park and lookouts. A portion of the walkway, which connects the Wairere Tapu Lookout and Te Harikoa Lookout, includes several hundred stairs so a moderate to high level of fitness is required.
• Two ecological walking loops connecting to the main walking track.

How to get to Te Rere o Ōmanawa:

Address: 1031 Ōmanawa Road, Ōmanawa

• Coming from Tauranga: Turn left off State Highway 29 down Ōmanawa Road. Ōmanawa Falls is about a 10 minute drive after the turn off.
• Coming from McLaren Falls: Continue down McLaren Falls Road to the end of the road and turn left onto Ōmanawa Road. Ōmanawa Falls is about a two minute drive after the turn off.

Site information

• Opening hours – 8am – 7.30pm in summer (when daylight saving starts), 8am – 5.30pm in winter (when daylight saving ends)
• Encouraged activities – embrace culture, respect nature, fitness and wellbeing, reflection
• Prohibited activities – No swimming, service dogs only, no alcohol, no rock climbing

Sorry, no swimming - Ōmanawa Falls has been a sacred place for Ngāti Hangarau for generations. This was and remains a place of Āio - insight, reflection and interpretation and a place of Rongoā - meditation and healing. Please respect these guidelines as they still apply today.