Located in Te Urewera in the East Coast region
Check for alerts on the Ngāi Tūhoe website.
Water-based activities are popular on Lake Waikaremoana and most craft are permitted. Jet skis, house boats and float planes are not allowed.
Carry approved safety equipment and a local chart of the lake. Observe water safety regulations.
Conditions on the lake can change rapidly.
Brown and rainbow trout are found in Lake Waikaremoana. Fishing licenses can be bought from Fish & Game New Zealand and from the Waikaremoana Holiday Park store.
Waikaremoana can be approached from two directions on SH38 which runs from Waiotapu in the north to Wairoa on the East Coast. SH38 passes Te Karetu where Te Urewera Visitor Centre (Te Kura Whenua) and the Waikaremoana Holiday Park are located.
The highway is a gravel surface for about 90 km between Murupara (north of Te Karetu and Tuai (south of Te Karetu). This may be difficult for lower vehicles and 4WD/SUV is recommended.
On Google Maps, enter Waikaremoana Holiday Park to get to both the Waikaremoana Holiday Park and Te Urewera Visitor Centre at Te Kura Whenua.
Parking space is available at:
Extreme weather changes are a feature of the area, including snow in summer. Te Urewera is a rainforest and so tracks can be muddy.
Make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared. Your safety is your responsibility. Know the five essential steps of the Land Safety Code.
Call in at the Te Urewera Visitor Centre at Te Kura Whenua for the latest information on weather and track conditions. Check opening hours.
Te Urewera is a taonga and everyone has a responsibility to care for her. All manuhiri (visitors) to Te Urewera are asked to respect Tikana of the Lake and help us all to guardians of this place.
To the Tūhoe people, Te Urewera is not just their homeland, but also the mother of their first ancestors.
The Care for Nature (Manaakitana Te Urewera) principles help visitors experience Te Urewera and the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk in a way that accords with her needs, and helps us all to build our connection to nature.
That means embracing experiences in nature that are beautiful and child-friendly, and caring for our wildlife and environment.
If you have questions about how best to respect Te Urewera, call in to Te Urewera Visitor Centre at Te Kura Whenua and speak to one of the team.
| Te Urewera Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 6 837 3803 |
| Email: | teureweravc@ngaituhoe.iwi.nz |
| Address: |
Te Kura Whenua 6249 Lake Road/SH38 Waikaremoana 4195 Te Urewera |
| Postal Address: |
Kaitawa DOC Mailshed Kaitawa Village RD 5 Wairoa 4195 |
| Full office details | |