Okere Falls – two cascades along the Kaituna River

Summary: The Okere Falls is located along the Kaituna River, with easy access to a viewing platform, and the Okere Falls Jump for brave swimmers!

How to get there: Carpark and walking trail off Trout Pool Road
Walking distance to waterfall: 0.2km (return)
Duration: <1 hour
Grade: Easy
Type of Swim: River
Type of waterfall: Cataract
Waterfall Rating: 3.5/5
Height of falls: 5m
Strong current

The Okere Falls is one of three waterfalls along the Kaituna River, near Rotorua (the others being the Kaituna Falls, and Tutea Falls). The term “okere” translates to “place of drifting”.

Swimming at Okere Falls

While not a popular swimming spot due to the swift current (some sections of the river being too dangerous to swim in), you can jump the water below Okere Falls. Rambling Feet describes the spot where you can jump into the Kaituna River from a tree ten metres above in “Taking the Plunge at Okere Falls“.

Getting to Okere Falls

The carpark for this waterfall is located 21km from Rotorua at the start of Trout Pool Road (off the SH 33).

It’s only a 5min walk to the viewing platform for this waterfall; the Okere Falls walking track is a 2.1km loop (allow an hour) which passes all three waterfalls.