Also known as Te Rerekawau Falls, Kaiate Falls is located in Welcome Bay in the Bay of Plenty is a set of waterfalls that were created where the Kaiate stream flows over ignimbrite bluffs. Near 126 Kaiate Falls Road and 25 km from Tauranga.
This waterfall also had a third name and was also formerly known as “Shag Falls”, specifically referring to the powerful black and white shag, which was a long-necked sea bird known for its strong, unswerving flight as it could dive from the sky to catch fish in the water.
Apparently, there used to be a shag colony located nearby the lower waterfall, which it was said that Maori warriors often identified with shags as guardian spirits.
The first main section consisted of a three-tiered series of falls.
The second section, is 15m high and follows the first one with an attractive plunge of a lower waterfall.
The clear pools at the lower falls are perfect for swimming. Large kohekohe and puriri trees line the walking trails.
The walk is approximately 2 km and will take you around 45 mins to 1 hour at a leisurely pace. There are a few steps so unfortunately the walk is not wheelchair friendly.
The track is well signposted. When viewing the upper falls there are wooden steps to the right of the junction which gives you a better view of the falls.
The lower waterfall skirts a secluded plunge pool, crosses and rocky ledge then crosses a bridge and climbs up to a lookout where you can get views of the upper Kaiate Falls through black tree ferns.
As you head back round the loop make sure to look over your shoulder to get lovely views of Mt Maunganui and Tauranga port.
The track is open for dogs who will also enjoy playing in the stream by the car park.
With domestic travel currently the only wise activity within Covid restrictions, our local tourism industry could really do with the support so Linku2 are featuring on a number of articles to help you pick what would suit you and your family to get out and enjoy our beautiful country!
100% Pure New Zealand have some great articles to give you great ideas and as well as their North Island Must Do Experiences (linked through our North Island pages) of course there is the South Island experiences including exploring the Marlborough Sounds, Mt Aspiring National Park as well as many other outstanding national parks and of course great cities like Queenstown and Dunedin. Check these out and enjoy every single one of them! NZ.com top South Island Activities ...
Visiting Hawke’s Bay for the school holidays? You’ve come to the right place as there are plenty of family-friendly activities on offer.
Here are just a few boredom-busters that will keep the kids entertained for ages.
Brought to you by hawkesbaynz.com
All year round it is a great time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. There are some wonderful parks and gardens around the country and lots of things for the kids to do apart from just enjoying being outside and so today we are featuring just a couple of the larger gardens you may want to visit while out and about with the family.
The Wintergardens are a feature of the Auckland Domain with the Auckland War Memorial Museum sitting at the highest point. There are formal gardens, duck ponds, large green open spaces edged by mature trees, bush walks and statuary. The 75ha park has been developed around the cone of an extinct volcano. The 'tuff rings' created by volcanic activity thousands of years ago can be seen in the land contours and forms a natural amphitheatre with about 10 hectares developed as first-class sports fields.
Hamilton Gardens are easy to reach on State Highway One just south of central Hamilton and have a wonderful selection of themed gardens. They have a wonderful Discovery Trail for the kids, also great Bingo fun for the kids as well as a Fantasy collection including mythical beasts in their Children's Tudor Trail
Founded in 1863 with the planting of an English oak tree, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens are extensive and contain an impressive array of plant collections that delight at any time of year
Always a beautiful place to visit, the Wellington Botanic Gardens has an excellent Children's Garden which is extra special for kids. This is a “living classroom” where the kids can have fun and learn about the plants that provide our food, clothes, houses and medicine. The Botanic Gardens also offer self-guided activities for the kids to enjoy.
So make sure you get out and about and enjoy our parks and activities ...