Parks & Reserves

Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve

Situated on State Highway 2 south of Opotiki, Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve is a 1800 hectare area of native forest and regenerating farmland. Some of the reserve was cleared for farming after World War 1, but the settlers couldn’t produce enough from the land to make their efforts worthwhile. They left behind them the Tauranga and Manganuku Bridges - the Tauranga Bridge is one of only two harp suspension bridges in the country.

The highway hugs the edge of the Waioeka River, running through the reserve for 50 kilometres. There are numerous reserve entry points, picnic areas and viewing places. Recommended walking tracks include the Tauranga Track (3 hours), Mangapumarumaru Track (4 hours) or Manganuku Track (4 hours). There is an excellent camping ground at the Manganuku Stream and good stretches of open water within the gorge for trout fishing.