Getting Here
From Napier to Wairoa on State Highway is about 1.5 hours and from there an hour to Waikarwemoana on State Highway 38. There are a few sections (about 7 km) of unpaved road before reaching Te Urewera Park and the start of the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk. From the Rotorua side, State Highway 38 travels through the Kaingaroa Forest to Murupara, a small forestry town. The Whirinaki Forest Park turn off is located at Te Wahati, approximately 38 km further along. From there the road is unpaved for 70 km or so as it climbs and winds its way through the ranges of the park. The short section of paved road through the small settlement of Ruatahuna is surrounded by forested mountains and is well off the beaten track. Winding its way past native forest, mountain streams, waterfalls and lake shore cliffs, the road reaches the Conservation Visitor Centre, the starting point for many Lake Waikaremoana short walks.
- Call +64 6 837 3900 to get a shuttle from Wairoa town to us here.
- Book a Lake Waikaremoana water taxi, tel: +64 6 8373803.
- See a street map for the accommodation and the Great Walk.
- Check Wairoa District Council’s road driving conditions and alerts.
- Read more Waikaremoana information and facts about the area.
From Gisborne:
- Take State Highway 2 (SH 2) heading southwest.
- Merge onto SH 38 (Waihi Road) toward Tuai.
- Total distance: Approximately 146.8 kilometres.
- Estimated drive time: Around 2 hours and 26 minutes.
- Road surface type: Paved asphalt.
From Napier:
- Follow SH 2 northeast.
- Merge onto SH 38 (Waihi Road) toward Tuai.
- Total distance: Approximately 157.7 kilometres.
- Estimated drive time: Around 2 hours and 22 minutes.
- Road surface type: Paved asphalt.
From Rotorua:
- Take SH 38 (Waikaremoana Road) east.
- Continue on SH 38 toward Tuai.
- Total distance: Approximately 192.2 kilometres.
- Estimated drive time: Around 3 hours and 38 minutes.
- Road surface type: Gravel and Paved asphalt.
