Omanawa Falls Waterfall

Omanawa Falls is a waterfall on the Omanawa River in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand, close to the outskirts of Tauranga. The falls form a single dramatic plunge into a downstream pool and are accompanied by a small hydroelectric installation.

Visitors generally approach via a short walking track to a viewing platform that looks down into the gorge and pool; the setting is compact and the access route is short. The hydroelectric station adjacent to the falls dates from the early 20th century and represents early local power development.

The falls and the small industrial facility have been used and photographed by local residents and visitors for many decades and remain a compact, roadside-accessible natural attraction.

The falls sit inland from the Tauranga urban area in the Bay of Plenty, roughly within a 15-20 km radius of central Tauranga depending on the route used.

• Visitor note: The falls are a well-known local scenic feature near Tauranga and are visited for short walks and photographic views from the viewing platform.
• Historic infrastructure: The site includes an early 20th-century hydroelectric installation that supplied local power and is of industrial-historical interest.

What to See#

• Hydroelectric station: A small historic hydroelectric station sits adjacent to the falls and is a visible industrial feature near the waterfall and access track.
• Viewing platform and track: A short walking track and viewing platform give visitors a vantage point over the waterfall and the plunge pool below.

Omanawa Falls is near Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty region. Visitors usually reach it by car from Tauranga via local roads; a short, maintained track leads from the parking area to the falls and viewing platforms.

• Don't miss the small interpretive signs near the hydro station-few visitors notice the century-old engineering.
• Use the upper viewing platform for the best photo composition; the path can be muddy after rain.
• Combine the visit with nearby walking tracks that loop through native bush for a fuller day out.