Discover Omanawa

Omanawa brings together several points of interest for planning your trip: cultural significance, early hydroelectric power, a trail section with several hundred steps, and park and animal attractions. When choosing a holiday rental, it may help to consider which of these experiences is a priority for your trip.

Cultural significance and the history of hydroelectric power

For Ngāti Hangarau, Ōmanawa Falls has been a sacred place for generations. Completed in 1915, Omanawa Falls Power Station was New Zealand’s first underground hydroelectric power station. The cultural significance of the falls and the station’s pioneering engineering role offer two distinct historical perspectives on Omanawa.

The trail section between Wairere Tapu Lookout and Te Harikoa Lookout at Ōmanawa Falls includes several hundred steps and requires a moderate to high level of physical fitness. Consider this requirement when deciding whether the section fits your holiday plans.

Parkland and animal attractions

McLaren Falls is a 190-hectare lake park with extensive trails and one of the North Island’s best tree collections. The lake park, trails and tree collection give this place its scenic and botanical focus.

Marshalls Animal Park covers 35 acres and is an attraction with animals and family activities. The focus here is on animal-related and family-oriented activities—a different travel interest from parkland, engineering history or the trail section with numerous steps.

When choosing a holiday rental in Omanawa, your preferred focus is a helpful starting point: cultural history and hydroelectric power, a trail with many steps, trees in the lake park, or animal attractions appeal to different interests. Base your accommodation choice on which of these themes you would like to include in your travel plans.

More experiences in the Western Bay of Plenty District

In the wider destination of the Western Bay of Plenty District, Katikati and the Orokawa Bay Walk offer their own themes for trip planning. In Katikati Town Centre, a circular walk leads from Haiku Park along paths featuring haiku verses carved into rocks and paving. It follows Uretara Stream, crosses a footbridge to Uretara Landing, then continues along the main road to murals and other artworks in the town centre. Individual installations may change.

The Katikati Cuisine Trail gives you the opportunity to meet local artisan food producers and try their products on site. Producers and offerings may change; this experience combines regional food culture with personal encounters and tastings.

The Orokawa Bay Walk starts at the northern end of Waihī Beach and crosses the coastal headlands to Orokawa Bay. Walking time is about 45 minutes each way. The trail passes through dense bush with pōhutukawa, kauri and puriri trees, as well as native nīkau palms. Orokawa Bay is part of a 145-hectare scenic reserve. Tides and swell affect access.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Ohauiti, Omokoroa, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui.

Back to the main travel overview: Tauranga District.