Okere Falls

Travel Guide

Okere Falls Scenic Reserve which includes rapids, forest scenes and a river or creek
Okere Falls Scenic Reserve showing rapids and a river or creek
Okere Falls Scenic Reserve showing a river or creek and forest scenes
Okere Falls Scenic Reserve featuring forest scenes, rapids and a river or creek
Okere Falls Scenic Reserve which includes rapids and a river or creek
Go white-water rafting, hike along the river, go fishing for trout or take it easy with a lakeside picnic in this water-rich neighbor town of famous Rotorua.

Okere Falls hugs the shores of Lake Rotoiti and the town was named after its nearest waterfalls. The lake’s waters spill out into the Okere Inlet, flow into the Kaituna River and plunge down several waterfalls. Kaituna is a Māori name referring to the abundance of food in the river, but that’s not the only reason why people flock here.

Take a deep breath and prepare yourself for an adrenaline rush. White-water rafting over the Okere Falls and the nearby Tutea Falls is an amazing experience and is also exhilarating to watch from the shore. Expect to plunge 23 feet (7 meters) down into a mass of foaming water while you hold on for life. Tutea Falls is among the highest commercially rafted falls in the world, but experienced local guides help make it safe.

Witness the spectacle without getting wet from the Okere Falls Track, a scenic rainforest pathway that takes you along the river, past four waterfalls, into a hidden cave and finally down to a fishing basin.

At the first viewing area, peer down at the Okere Falls and the remains of the old hydroelectric power station, which ran here from 1901 to 1939.

From the Tutea Falls viewing platform, walk down the stone Hinemoa’s Steps which were carved out in 1907. Ponder the fact that, in early wars, Māori women and children would climb down into this cave with ropes, a precarious journey. At the bottom, peer into Tutea’s Cave, named after a local Māori chief. Turn your back to see the rafters plunge down the thundering waterfall.

Continue to the end of the Okere Falls Track to reach the Trout Pool. If you already bought a fishing licence, drop a line in and catch your own dinner. Alternatively, just stand quietly near the water for a chance to see the fish swim in the shallows.

Okere Falls is 20 minutes to the northeast of the thermal wonderland of Rotorua, which has all the visitor facilities you may need. Okere Falls itself has lakeside camping grounds, a great place to be at sunset.

JetPark Hotel Rotorua
JetPark Hotel Rotorua
4 out of 5
237 Fenton Street, Corner Victoria Street, Rotorua
The price is €94 per night from 1 May to 2 May
€94
includes taxes & fees
1 May - 2 May
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Convenience, nice facility."

Reviewed on 3 Apr 2025

JetPark Hotel Rotorua
Rydges Rotorua
Rydges Rotorua
4.5 out of 5
10 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
The price is €89 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
€89
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"Overall a most enjoyable luxurious stay - relaxing spa and pool, nice meal, heavenly bed with deluxe extra long pillows especially after considerable car driving. We also really liked this location of the hotel, being away from the city centre and its busyness, noisyness, shops and considerably more ..."

Reviewed on 5 Apr 2025

Rydges Rotorua
Arawa Park Hotel
Arawa Park Hotel
4 out of 5
272 Fenton St, Rotorua
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €66 per night from 30 Apr to 1 May
€66
includes taxes & fees
30 Apr - 1 May
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Everything was of a high standard."

Reviewed on 2 Apr 2025

Arawa Park Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ramada Resort By Wyndham Rotorua Marama
Ramada Resort By Wyndham Rotorua Marama
4 out of 5
1420 Hamurana Road, RD4, Rotorua, Mourea
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Mourea. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (530 reviews)
"Lovely resort about 20 minutes from downtown Rotorua. A pity we did not have more time to enjoy the grounds (only there overnight). Limited dining options nearby. Beautiful apartment with nice, modern kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. Friendly staff on check-in."

Reviewed on 31 Mar 2025

Ramada Resort By Wyndham Rotorua Marama
Quest Rotorua Central
Quest Rotorua Central
4 out of 5
1192 Hinemoa Street, Rotorua
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Rotorua. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,027 reviews)
"Good overall. However at the room price charged, the very basic hot tub was disappointing."

Reviewed on 30 Mar 2025

Quest Rotorua Central
18th Avenue Thermal Motel
18th Avenue Thermal Motel
3.5 out of 5
50 Eighteenth Avenue, Tauranga
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Tauranga. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Mount Maunganui and Tenpin Tauranga are located ...
7.6/10 Good! (224 reviews)
"Fine enough for our short stay. The bathroom floor area needs a tidy up."

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2025

18th Avenue Thermal Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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