Lake Waikaremoana field trip
The Lake Waikaremoana area of Te Urewera National Park is a marvellous destination for walkers. Besides the famous Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk there are a multitude of interesting short and day walks.
The many walks in the area feature clean sparkling lakes, dramatic rock-bluffs, magnificent forest and profuse birdlife. You may even spot a short-tailed bat on one of your walks. The Onepoto Track features a number of caves and the Hinerau walk takes you past the Aniwaniwa waterfalls.
Lake Waikaremoana is located in Te Urewera National Park on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
This one hour walk will lead you around Lake Kaitawa, a small lake to the south of Lake Waikaremoana. Along the way take the track to Green Lake and Fairy Springs.
The Lake Waikareiti Walk will take you two hours to complete a return trip. Along the way you may hear the screech of the kaka and the chatty ki-ki-ki of the yellow-crowned parakeet (kakariki).
Find out about a range of short walks near the Aniwaniwa Vistor Centre and motorcamp at Lake Waikaremoana. The area's natural features include beautiful waterfalls and one of the country's biggest rata trees.
A moderate tramp, the Waikaremoana Great Walk is located in Te Urewera National Park. The tramp climbs up the Panekire Ridge before winding round parts of Lake Waikaremoana.
A hike for 2 hr 30 min along the Ngamoko Track as it steadily climbs to the Ngamoko Range summit. You will be rewarded for your hard work by the views at the summit.
The 2 hour return walk to Onepoto Caves branches off to various caves in the area. The track then descends into a small valley where you'll find the largest number of caves on the walk.
The Old Maori Trail is also know as the Rosie Bay - Lake Kaitawa Track and follows what was once a Maori trail to the lake.
Sections of the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk along the Panekiri Bluffs can be walked from Lake Waikaremoana. Two hour return trips to a full day tramp and stay at the Panekiri Hut are possibilities.
It will take you six hours of moderate to hard walking to complete the Ruapani Circuit. The track is accessed from the Waikareiti Track and passes through beautiful forest and seven wetlands.
This is a serviced campground in the Te Urewera area.
Tramper on Panekiri Bluffs overlooking Lake Waikaremoana
The lake is almost 600 m above sea level, with a cooler, wetter and more changeable climate than lower altitudes.
If walking in the area warm clothes, raincoat, food and drink should be carried on all but the shortest walks. Add hat and gloves if climbing to higher altitudes. Tramping boots are recommended for long walks and after rain, but are not needed for short walks in dry conditions. Drinking water should be boiled or treated.
Times given for walks are roughly average, and grades given are estimates - do not take either too literally.
back to top
Find businesses that are DOC-approved to provide activities and services at Lake Waikaremoana.
NZ weather
New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres
Follow the Outdoor Safety Code: 1. Plan your trip 2. Tell someone 3. Be aware of the weather 4. Know your limits 5. Take sufficient supplies
Safety