Travel time from City Centre (Arawa St. Rotorua): around 25 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 21 km (13 miles)
Is there bus service in this area: No
Uber fare: $66 NZD (one-way)
Gas fees: $20~$30 NZD (roundtrip) *if you'll drive
Parking: Heaps of free parking
Entrance: Free (Unless you are doing the whitewater rafting + kayaking)
Kia Ora!
Okere Falls is a scenic and culturally rich destination that offers a refreshing escape into nature. If you're a local looking for a peaceful spot to unwind away from the city, I highly recommend a visit to Okere Falls. It’s quiet, calming, and perfect for a quick reset.
For tourists, however, I wouldn’t necessarily place Okere Falls at the top of your Rotorua must-see list—unless one of the following applies:
- You're looking to fill a gap in a fully booked day,
- You’re keen to visit regardless of how exciting it may (or may not) be, or
- You're into adventure sports like white-water rafting or kayaking, which this location is known for.
Personally, I enjoyed my visit for a few reasons:
- I wasn’t in a rush and had time to explore (I live in Rotorua),
- I was craving a quick nature fix, and
- I was looking for a new spot to shoot content for my Instagram portfolio. (Guilty!)
The drive from Rotorua city centre is straightforward and enjoyable—especially with a good playlist. My partner and I actually attempted to go last year but made the common mistake of simply searching for "Okere Falls" on Google Maps. We ended up getting lost and, not wanting to waste the day, rerouted to Blue Lake and Green Lake instead (which I’ll cover in this post).
Tip: When navigating, make sure you search for “Okere Falls Scenic Reserve”—that will get you to the correct place.
Once you arrive, the path to the right quickly leads to a lookout over the falls.
If you take the path to the left, it’s a slightly longer walk but offers a closer view of the water and rapids.
Further along the trail, there’s a small cave that used to house glowworms. Unfortunately, it's now closed to the public (or no? But we were too afraid to enter so...).
Overall, it was a refreshing and satisfying nature escape—just the right mix of greenery, gentle walking trails, and the calming sound of rushing water. It offered a peaceful break from the usual routine and a great reminder of how revitalizing a simple trip outdoors can be.
P.S. Feel free to stay hydrated on the road—there’s a public toilet waiting for you at the scenic reserve, so no need for a bathroom emergency in the bushes!
Until my next travel!
♡ Kath.