We joined together a number of shorter tracks to create an excellent day walk

A little care is needed with the navigation to ensure you take the correct track. We started at a parking area on the shore of lake Rotiti, just east of the start of the Western Okataina Track. Follow this track until you reach the Outdoor Education Centre

the vegetation is very varied

You cross the floor of craters where either the soil, or seepage of volcanic gasses prevents the growth of vegetation

The path out of this crater is quite steep.

from the Outdoor Centre, take the path heading south from the display of information about the reserve, and follow signs for route 8, the Walpungapunga track to Lake Okataina

From the lake, walk back up the road until you see the exit from the kepa Track on your right

Follow this and later branch right onto the Anaha Track and then branch right again onto the Ngahopua Track

This will take you past two deep crater lakes

and back to the road

Turn right on the road and follow it back to Lake Rotiti

All pages on this website are written by myself, (C) Peter Thomson. I am a real person, not AI.

Walking in New Zealand: Okataina