Eastern Ōkataina Walkway

The track starts from Lake Ōkataina car park at Tauranganui Bay and ends at Humphries Bay at Lake Tarawera.

From Lake Ōkataina car park the track heads south, passing Te Koutu Point and a large natural amphitheatre named the Soundshell, formed by volcanic rock cliffs. The track continues meandering through native bush, offering splendid lake views.

There are several options to branch off the track and head down to the lake at Te Koutu, Kaiwaka Bay and Ōtangimoana Bay.

From Ōtangimoana Bay, the track climbs away from Lake Ōkataina overland and then descends into Humphries Bay at Lake Tarawera.

Return the same way or continuing to Tarawera Outlet along the Northern Tarawera Track.

Track times

• Lake Ōkataina car park to Soundshell, 10 min
• Soundshell to Kaiwaka Bay, 40 min
• Kaiwaka Bay to Ōtangimoana Bay, 1 hr 50 min
• Ōtangimoana Bay to Humphries Bay, 20 min

The track starts from the car park at the end of Lake Ōkataina Road. Turn onto Lake Ōkataina Road from SH 30 (Whakatane/ Rotorua highway) at Ruato, 22 km from Rotorua.

A short section of this track suffers from occasional rock falls. Do not stop on the track between the sign posts indicating this hazard.