There are a number of short tracks that descend from Otaki Gorge Road into the gorge, giving access for picnicking, swimming, fishing and watersports:

• Just below the Waiohanga Bridge there is a vehicle track that leads down to a swimming hole.
• Just above the Waiohanga Bridge the Bridgeview Track leads down to the river.
• Just above Pukehinau Stream the PEP (Project Employment Programme) Track leads down to the river.
• Past Shields Flat a vehicle track leads down to the river and a private bridge.
vThere are other tracks leading down to the river: past the big slip and just below the Otaki Forks.

Getting there

Otaki Forks is 19 km inland from Otaki township – approx. 1½ hr drive from Wellington or Palmerston North. The easiest turn-off from State Highway 1 is at Otaki Gorge Road, just south of the State Highway 1 bridge over the Otaki River. The last 5 km of the Otaki Gorge Road is unsealed, narrow and windy – please drive carefully.