Waikaremoana

Lake Waikaremoana and Te Urewera National Park

Te Urewera became a national park 1954. It is the largest in the North Island and third largest in the country. Protected by legislation for the use of the people, it retains all of the splendour of it’s indigenous forest.

The jewel in the park is the sea of rippling water - Lake Waikaremoana: virtually uninhabited with deep pristine waters, rocky peninsulas, sheltered coves and sandy beaches. 2200 years old, the lake came into existence when an earthquake set off a massive land slip damming the Waikaretaheke gorge.

Today the lake area is steeped with cultural history, and a mystique which can be experienced on the Great Walk around the lake; the highlight of which being the all encompassing lake view from Panekire Bluff. For those with less time, the Waikaremoana area offers many other walking experiences: historic sites, water falls, forest springs, caves, and nature trails.