11 October 2026
Showers, possibly heavy, clearing to fine spells by early evening. The odd shower west of Tauranga at night. Northwesterlies, dying out early evening.
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1 / 29Otanewainuku Forest
Otanewainuku Rimu Loop Walk
Walk among large rimu trees in Otanewainuku Forest. You can also take a side trip to Whataroa Falls, a popular swimming hole and picnic spot.
Distance
3.8 km
Walking time
1 hr 30 min
Difficulty
Easy
Dogs
Not allowed
Wheelchair access
Not marked friendly
Current status
Alerts and track conditions
No active alerts found. Conditions can still change, so check again before leaving.
Weather outlook
Bay of Plenty forecast
Issued 11 Oct 2026, 4:35 pm
12 October 2026
East of Te Puke: Morning cloud clearing to fine, then isolated showers and cloud developing from mid-afternoon. Elsewhere: Occasional rain, clearing to fine spells mid-afternoon, then cloud increasing again in the evening Afternoon northerlies.
13 October 2026
A few showers. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.
14 October 2026
A few showers. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.
15 October 2026
Rain, clearing in the evening. Northerlies, turning westerly in the morning.
Regional guidance only; elevation and terrain can produce different conditions.
Explore the area
Otanewainuku Rimu Loop Walk on the map
See the full route on the map
Explore the track route and surrounding area before you set out.
About Otanewainuku Rimu Loop Walk
This easy walk features impressively large rimu trees and is suitable for children, though not for strollers or wheelchairs. The trail begins on the opposite side of the road from the carpark. Side trip: Mountain Road to Whataroa Falls Time: 2 hours return For those feeling a bit more adventurous, a well-marked route branches off the Rimu Loop Walk after about 15 minutes, winding through the forest toward the Whataroa Falls. This waterfall is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking, with lovely cascades and pools to explore before retracing your steps back to complete the other half of the loop walk from here.
Getting there for Otanewainuku Rimu Loop Walk
Located south of Tauranga and Te Puke. Take Oropi Road south from Tauranga and turn onto Mountain Road just past Oropi. There is a small car park, public shelter, toilet and picnic area by the road. Use this location on Google Maps to help find your way there.
Helpful resources
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
Dog access for Otanewainuku Rimu Loop Walk
No dogs.
Before you walk Otanewainuku Rimu Loop Walk
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.