Maraetotara Falls Walk, Hawkes Bay, NZ - 0 travel reviews for Maraetotara Falls Walk

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Marios Gavalas

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Havelock North, Hawkes Bay

Camping near Havelock North

Information

Maraetotara Falls Walk

2 km return | 45 minutes return

The banks of the serendipitous Maraetotara River are shaded with willows, poplars and other Northern Hemisphere species, giving the riverside walk a very English feel. The falls cascade from a concrete weir into a large hole, perfect for swimming on a hot summer’s day.

Walking Track

Access

At the start of the walk there is a parking area with a white archway, 2.4 km up Maraetotara Road on the right.

Track

Descend to the junction with the Maraetotara River.

Left is a 10-minute return walk to Maraetotara Falls, which empty into an idyllic swimming hole. A ladder reaches a concrete weir and returns to the road 150 metres above the parking area.

Right takes 10 minutes to discover the concrete surge tower. There is little of interest past here, although the track rejoins the road 10 minutes further on.

European History

The hydro-electric power station was built around the turn of the 19th Century to provide power to Havelock North Borough. In 1940-1 413,700 kW were generated and the peak output was around 60kW. The static head on the surge tower was 17.6 metres. A cross flow turbine and induction generator were placed in the powerhouse below. The diversion weir at the Maraetotara Falls supplied a 724-metre long concrete conduit with an internal diameter of 0.76 metres. This set up could provide power economically at 11kV. The station was disbanded in the 1950s. You may find it bizarre to stu

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

Hastings District Council

Council organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Hawkes Bay ▷ Havelock North

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-39.7463655417851

176.938555145264

Latitude
-39.7463655417851
Longitude
176.938555145264

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	30 mins to 1 hour Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour
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. mostly 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. mostly locals
Track Managing Organisation	Local Council Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? Local Council This walking track is managed by a local council. Hastings District Council	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? Local Council This walking track is managed by a local council. Hastings District Council