Cityscope

Omanawa Falls

05 Mar 09

Western Bay of Plenty Council

Where:  Off Omanawa Road (via State Highway 29).

Walking Time: 30 minutes return


This walk takes you to the edge of the spectacular Omanawa Falls.

Drive up Omanawa Road for 11 kilometres and you will see the start of the track sign-posted on the left.  It follows an old access route which was used in the construction of the Omanawa Falls hydro power station, commissioned in 1920.

The track leads down to the edge of the rugged Hidden Gorge Scenic Reserve, then sidles along a ledge carved into the rocky cliffs.There are hand-rails to assist you.

The scenery here is something special, with the falls cascading into a large pool in the Omanawa River far below.

The track ends abruptly at a locked steel door, to keep people out of the old underground power station which is no longer in use.

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