Around Turangi : Walks & Hikes
Motutere/Waipehi Walking Track
Time: 1.5 hours return via the same track
Located approximately 22 km north of Turangi on SH 1. After passing Hallett’s Bay, then Jellicoe Point, get ready to park on the left opposite the north end of the Motutere motor camp.
Tongariro Alphine Crossing
Time: 6 - 8 hours, 19.4kms
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing track passes over spectacular volcanic terrain, past active volcanoes with geothermal steam vents, and magnificent emerald-coloured lake. Start from the carpark at the Mangatepopo Rd end, 7km off SH47. Travel 1 - 1.5 hours to Soda Springs and onto the South Crater (1 hr) and the Red Crater (20 mins). The summit of the Red Crater is the highest point on the Crossing and from here the track decends past the Emerald Lakes (1 - 1.5 hrs) down to Ketetahi Hut. A further 1 - 2 hours walking takes you to the Ketetahi carpark.
Careful preparation for this journey is essential. The rugged alpine trek climbs to 1900m so tramping experience, hiking boots, and waterproof winter clothing is recommended. A new track alignment below the Ketetahi Hut is completed. The Crossing begins and ends at different points so return transport must be arranged. This can be done directly with commercial shuttle operators or through the visitor information centres. Transport leaves from Whakapapa Village, National Park, Turangi, Taupo and Ohakune.
Tauranga/Taupo River Walking Track
Time: 30 minutes, return via same track
Park on the south side of the Tauranga/Taupo River (about 12 km north of Turangi on SH 1). Cross the bridge. The track entrance is marked on the left at the corner. This track follows the tranquil Tauranga/Taupo River for 15 minutes to the shore of Lake Taupō. The beach is a great spot for picnicking, fishing and swimming. Enjoy panoramic views of the Western Bays, Motutaiko Island, Taupo town and Mt Tauhara. Those wanting a longer walk can continue on along the foreshore toward the lakefront settlement of Waitetoko. The first public access to SH 1 is at Mac’s Road, 10-15 minutes along the beach.
Tauranga/Taupo Reserve Walking Track
Time: 30 minutes, return via same track
Turn off SH 1 onto Heuheu Parade on the south side of the Tauranga/Taupo River at Oruatua, 12 km north of Turangi. Then turn left into Kopua Street and follow the unpaved one-way road to a grassy lakeside clearing. A sign at the clearing’s entrance marks the start of this track which winds through the bush reserve towards Oruatua. After about 10 minutes the track branches. The options are to continue on to Oruatua Avenue (5 minutes) or take the right branch and walk for 15 minutes to the lake. The main track leads to Oruatua Avenue. From here, either return via the same track or follow the road 500m to the beach at Oruatua. Shade trees make this a popular picnic spot in summer. The track can also be walked south to north from Oruatua Avenue through to the river. From SH 1 it is less than 100m down Oruatua Avenue to the grassed accessway on the right, leading to the track entrance. Once the northern end of the track is reached it is a short walk along the beach to the Tauranga/Taupō River mouth.
Te Hapua
Time: 45 minutes to walk to the bay
Access by boat or from Karangahape Road (off SH 32) along a poled easement through farmland to the reserve. Te Hapua (or ‘Scenic Bay’) on the western shore of Lake Taupo is ideally reached by boat. From the lake edge it takes 15 minutes to walk up to a viewpoint just below the farmland, or 10 minutes to reach a bay to the south. Te Hapua Reserve is intended for day visitors.
Pukawa Bush Walking Track
Time: 45 minutes, loop track
Begins on Hauraki Terrace (off Pukawa Road); the entrance is just past Rereao Lane. The track is usually walked in an anti-clockwise direction. The track climbs up through Pukawa Bush above the village on a well graded route. A short way up there is a lookout with views over the village and lake. The lush podocarp forest contains large rimu, matai and totara trees. Birdlife is a feature of this area; bellbirds and tui in particular frequent this part of the bush. The bush gradually changes to a rewarewa/kamahi forest and near the top opens out to a magnificent view of Lake Taupō and the surrounding countryside. Descending again, the last part of the track follows the route of the old Pukawa Road. The track ends on Rereao Lane which you can follow back to your starting point.
Pukawa to Omori Walking Track
Time: 1 hour 20 minutes, return via same track
Begins at end of Kaiuru Avenue in Pukawa village (15 minutes drive west of Turangi – signposted to the right off SH 41). The track wanders through the bush along the edge of Lake Taupō. Bellbird and tui may be seen in the trees above and from time to time there are glimpses of nearby Lake Taupō. The track emerges onto the shingle beach and picnic area at Omori Reserve. The reserve is notable for kowhai trees which create a splash of bright yellow when flowering. Aluminium bands have been placed around some kohuhu trees to prevent possums from climbing up to eat the palatable native mistletoe. The track continues on over the Omori Stream where, in winter, spawning trout may be seen. Another 10 minute walk sees the end of the track at the Omori Boat Ramp.
Tokaanu Thermal Walk
Time: 20 minutes, loop track
Begins from Tokaanu Thermal Pools complex (6 km from Turangi on SH 41). This short walk provides an interesting glimpse of a natural thermal area. See steaming hot mineral pools set in sinter basins and spluttering mud pools amidst the native bush. Thermal areas are changeable by nature so please keep to the track. Children should be supervised at all times. For hundreds of years, Maori have used the geothermal resources of this area for cooking, bathing and leisure. Share in this tradition by having a therapeutic and relaxing swim at the nearby Tokaanu Thermal Pools. Rainbow trout can often be seen in the cold Tokaanu Stream beside the thermal area.
Maunganamu Walking Track
Time: 40 minutes, return via same track
About 4 km from Turangi, turn off SH 41 into the Maunganamu Scenic Reserve beside the Tokaanu Tailrace bridge. Drive along the gravel road for nearly 1km. Veer left at the intersection and park in the grassy clearing. The track begins at the bush edge and leads around the hill and up to a lookout near the summit (490m). The views of Tokaanu, across to Waihi, and southern Lake Taupō are excellent. Maunganamu (‘Mosquito Hill’) is an old volcanic dome composed of rhyolite rock.
Rotopounamu Walking Track
Time: 30 minutes walk to the lake, one way or 2 hours to and around the lake loop track (5km)
Rotopuonamu
11km from Turangi off SH 47, carpark signposted on the south side of Te Ponanga Saddle. Rotopounamu (‘Greenstone Lake’) nestles on the side of Mt Pihanga. This beautiful lake is a special favorite of tree lovers, birdwatchers, walkers and swimmers. Beginning opposite the carpark the track winds gently uphill. At the junction the track to the left goes to Ten Minute Beach which is a pleasant picnic and swimming spot in summer. To walk around the lake turn right at the junction and follow a short section of metalled track before dropping down towards Five Minute Beach. Here a broad tree stump provides a good spot to view the lake. Rotopounamu was formed by a landslide about 10,000 years ago. It is nine metres deep and covers one square kilometre.
Long Beach sweeps along the eastern side of the lake and is an ideal spot for a picnic or rest stop. There is a toilet here. From here the track continues to the northern shore where three of Rotopounamu’s four tributary streams enter the lake. The lake has no visible outflow and possibly drains via an underground stream or seepage. Continuing on, you will pass Ten Minute Beach and soon return to the track junction. From here it is downhill to the carpark. Take care crossing the road back to your vehicle.
Tongariro River Lookout Track
Time: 1 hour, loop track
Begin at the SH 1 bridge or the Major Jones footbridge, Koura Street, Turangi. This loop track can be walked in either direction. It is described here from the SH 1 access point. Walk up to the first lookout on the northern side of the bridge. From here the track climbs steeply to a viewpoint over the Tongariro River, a trout fishery of international renown. Mt Pihanga, and the eroded volcanoes of the northern range of Tongariro National Park form a backdrop to the town of Turangi. The track wanders through bush to the Major Jones footbridge at the southernmost point of the track.
Cross the bridge and continue the loop following the track downstream. This side is an easy flat walk in a more urban setting. It passes through a narrow stretch of public land alongside the river.
Tongariro River Walkway
Time: 3 hours, return via same track. Or 1.5 hours one way (arrange return transport)
Begins at Major Jones footbridge, Koura Street, Turangi or Red Hut footbridge, 5km south of Turangi, off SH 1.
This popular walk follows the Tongariro River south of Turangi. There are good views of the river’s calm pools and rippling rapids as you walk along the high banks above the river. The walk passes through native bush on the river edge and along the edge of private farmland. Keep an eye out for trout in the river pools.
Tongariro National Trout Centre
5km south of Turangi off SH 1.
Open 10am - 4pm (1 Sept - 30 April); 10 am - 3pm (1 May to 30 Nov)
Tongariro National Trout Centre
A pleasant half-hour walk passes through the Tongariro National Trout Centre facilities beside the Tongariro River. Display panels explain the management of the Taupo Fishery while a viewing chamber provides underwater views of rainbow trout. A ranger is present during open hours for guidance and answering questions.
Motuoapa Cliff Lookout Walking Track
Time: 15 - 20 minutes, return via same track
Begins beside northern end of Motuoapa Lodge in Motuoapa, 10 km north of Turangi on SH 1. The track heads up to the volcanic cliffs behind Motuoapa to a wooden viewing platform. The lookout offers excellent views of Stump Bay, Motuoapa Peninsula, the South Taupō wetlands and Lake Taupō. Please treat this area with respect as it is of cultural importance to Ngati Tuwharetoa. Return via the same track, or for a slight variation during the descent, continue along a path which leads to the north end of the settlement and return alongside the state highway to the track entrance.
-
-
-
-
- Follow @LakeTaupo_NZ
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
