10 October 2026
Cloudy periods with the odd shower, mainly about the ranges. Northerlies.
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Orokawa Scenic Reserve
This popular track winds between the northern end of Waihi Beach and Orokawa Bay, showcasing views of the Pacific Ocean and offering picnic spots under mature pōhutukawa trees leaning over the sandy beach.
Distance
2.9 km
Walking time
45 min one way
Difficulty
Advanced
Dogs
Not allowed
Wheelchair access
Not marked friendly
Current status
No active alerts found. Conditions can still change, so check again before leaving.
Weather outlook
Issued 10 Oct 2026, 4:55 pm
10 October 2026
Cloudy periods with the odd shower, mainly about the ranges. Northerlies.
11 October 2026
Showers, possibly heavy, clearing in the afternoon with increasing fine spells. Periods of rain developing west of Tauranga late evening. Northerlies, turning westerly in the afternoon.
12 October 2026
A few showers. Northwesterlies developing for a time in the afternoon.
13 October 2026
Partly cloudy, with isolated showers clearing in the evening. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.
14 October 2026
Mostly cloudy with a few showers developing in the morning. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.
Regional guidance only; elevation and terrain can produce different conditions.
Explore the area
Explore the track route and surrounding area before you set out.
The walk to Orokawa Bay begins at the northern end of Waihi Beach. Access may be limited during high tide or strong swells. The track follows coastal headlands before descending into Orokawa Bay. Swimming is not advised due to the steep seafloor, but the beach is popular for picnicking beneath pohutukawa trees. Fishing is possible off the northern rocks—be mindful of tides and sudden wave changes. For a longer hike, this track can be combined with the Homunga Bay Track or head up the William Wright Falls Track .
In places on this track, there are cliffs and high drop-offs and areas are changeable by nature. Keep to the track and keep children safe. The track may be inaccessible at high tide. The coastline at Orokawa Scenic Reserve can be dangerous, particularly during rough conditions. This beach is not considered safe for swimming due to the steep grade of the seafloor. Take care for tidal movements and wave conditions which can change suddenly.
Orokawa Bay is located north of Waihi Beach, off State Highway 2 at the end of Waihi Beach road. The track starts at the northern end of Waihi Beach. Use this location on Google Maps to help find your way there.
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . We recommend trying these online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel
No dogs
Track information, access and weather can change. Confirm current alerts and land-manager information close to departure, tell someone your plans, and carry equipment appropriate for the route and conditions.