Omanawa Falls, Bay of Plenty, NZ - 0 travel reviews for Omanawa Falls

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Marios Gavalas

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Tauranga, Bay of Plenty

Camping near Tauranga

Information

Omanawa Falls

1.2 km return | 30 minutes return

+++ track closed until further notice - not open or accessible to the public for safety reasons +++

The Omanawa Falls tumble into a sizeable plunge pool at the head of the gorge the Omanwa River has steadily carved. Heed the warning signs about swimming here. People die.

Walking Track

Access

From S.H.29 between Tauriko and Lower Kaimai, turn south into Omanawa Road. Follow it 10.7km to a signposted parking area on the left.

The track starts through the gate.

Track

The walk follows an old vehicle track for 10 minutes. It can be slippery where the rock surface is exposed, wet, or covered in forest litter.

It then passes through a cutting and sidles a ledge cut into the rock face above Omanwa Falls and River.

You can only view the falls from above, as the track ends at a locked metal door into the old power station.

European History

The Omanawa Falls hydro-electric power station was planned in 1915 and was named after the pioneering engineer/salesman, Lloyd Mandeno, who was given the task of persuading the public of the benefits of electric power before construction could begin. The 150 kilowatt power station was enlarged in the early 1920s.

Lloyd Mandeno was responsible for converting the lives of Tauranga wives. They were relieved of the tiredness and household drudgery by the ‘latest perfection in [electric] household appliances’. Advertisements told the gentlemen that if they cared for their wives ie converted to electricity, they would have a more comfortable home and a happier wife.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Bay of Plenty

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Bay of Plenty ▷ Tauranga

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-37.8365817162097

176.078338527679

Latitude
-37.8365817162097
Longitude
176.078338527679

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	1km to 3km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km
Track Duration	10 to 30mins Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins
Track Difficulty	Easy walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Some people Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either. A popular spot with locals	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either. A popular spot with locals
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.