Be prepared to get wet feet! The Tarawaere Dam Loop Track criss-crosses the river as you walk up a lush valley to an old dam site.

To start the track, drive to the Totara Flat Campsite, park your car and then head across the Kauaeranga River. Follow Tarawaere Stream as you take in the lush, dense environment. You will criss-cross the steam multiple times on the way up to an old rafter flume Kauri dam.

There is a one-third-scale working replica of this dam located a 10-min walk from the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre – stop in to check it out on your way to the walk, or when you’re coming back from it.

But back to the walk! From the flume dam, continue up a spur to a junction, where you can head down to make a loop back onto the Taraware Dam Loop track. Or, you can choose to head onto the Taraware to Billygoat Link Track. This connects to the Billygoat Circuit and creates a longer loop experience.

If it’s a sunny day, don’t forget about stopping at Hoffman’s Pool on your way out of the valley to have a well-deserved swim.

Tarawaere Dam Loop Track Location

To reach Tarawaere Dam Loop Track, drive 15 minutes along Kauaeranga Valley Rd from Thames to the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, then another 18 minutes to Totara Flats Campsite. Look out for the track entrance to the river by a rock wall.

Info

3 hrs return
4.3km
Moderate
Dogs allowed on leash

Contact

Kauaeranga Visitor Centre