Short walks, places to go
Discover Kerikeri’s local walks, part of the New Zealand Te Araroa trail. Top sights include Rainfall Falls, Wairoa Stream Falls found on walks trailing lush sub-tropical vegetation. Observe vines curling around the trunks of trees and epiphytes clinging to their hosts create an otherworldly feel. The walks are a superb contrast to the busy main street with its cafes and galleries competing for visitor attention.
Kerikeri highlights
- Visually stunning scenery and swimming holes for a quick dip
- Breathtaking Northland delivers the goods for visitors relish the outdoors
- Waterfalls complete with natural swimming holes in cool rivers
- Side tracks to historic sites
BEST TIME TO GO TO KERIKERI
Year round in the balmy sub-tropical climate where snow is a foreign word. It can rain buckets especially in March, May, June, July, August, September and December. On average, July is the wettest month with 169.0 mm of precipitation.
WAIROA STREAMS WATERFALL WALK
Te Wairere Waterfall, also known as Wairoa Stream Falls, is a hidden gem. The Wairoa Stream track and walk is moderate to easy walk. The two waterfalls Te Wairere and the Secret Waterfall are located on a 2.25 km walk.
KERIKERI RIVER TRACK
Kerikerik River Track is another visually stunning walk and more waterfalls to linger at. The well known 27 metre single drop Rainbow Waterfalls and Wharepuke waterfalls are found on this walk.
- Two waterfalls and natural swimming holes
- Heritage sites, former power station
- Towering mature stands of Kauri and Totara native trees
Length from Stone Store: 3.5km one way | Time 1.5 hours one way
Length from carpark: 400 metres one way | Time: 10 minutes one way
Rainbow Falls Walk DOC online resource.
CHARLIE’S WATERFALL WALK
Charlie’s waterfall walk is a local secret. The walk starts at the Landing Road Croquet Club (approximately 2.3 km from the Stone Store). The walk is marked with a not very easily discernible, slightly crooked sign. The walk starts among farmland and rough looking pastures with the spectacular treat, at the end of the walk. Waterfall buffs rejoice; a pretty wide single drop waterfall spilling into an attractive swimming hole. The track conditions can be slippery and rough after rain.
- Length: 2.3 km
Consider combining the Wairoa river track with the Southside track creating a loop circle of approximately 8 km and there are many feeder tracks. The main starting points are either at the town centre (where most motels are) or at the Stone Store Basin where there are several car parks. You will pass historic sites such as Kororipo Pa.
- Rainbow Falls track follows the Kerikeri River 3.75 km
- Wairoa track follows Wairoa stream 2.25 km
- Charlie’s Rock 1.5 km
Southside track (Booths Farm Reserve)
The Kororipo-Kerikeri Basin is internationally of cultural and historical significance. The wider Kerikeri area offers a variety of great walking tracks and other recreation opportunities. For further information check Department of Conservation online resource Kerikeri area.
Enjoy the research undertaken by the Kerikeri Walks, a community project.
Wairoa River and Kerikeri River Circular Track
This is a 7.5 km circular route that uses the Wairoa and Kerikeri River tracks. Starting from Kerikeri centre go down Cobham Road 1km and cross the Wairoa River bridge and then turn left to go down the Wairoa river track. At the bottom of the track turn left up through the wood to cross over the meadow to Kerikeri road by the Stone Store Basin. Walk up Kerikeri road about 150 metres and enter the wood by a small track entrance in the hedge. This track will lead you through the woods along the South side of the Kerikeri river, across the bottom on the Peacock Gardens reserve, under the bypass bridge and up through the eucalyptus wood to Kings road or Clark st which is close to the town centre. There are many entrance and exit points along this route which are shown in the main map. Source: Tracks in and around Kerikeri.
Source KERIKERI WALKS.
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