The Te Anga road from Waitomo to Marokopa may be the most attraction-packed short road on the island. Starting from Waitomo’s halfmillion- tourists-per-year mecca and heading 53km to the coast, you’ll pass an amazing array of places to explore until reaching beautiful Kiritehere beach. Waitomo’s crowds can boggle the mind… but if you continue to drive west the wild charms of New Zealand will again caress your soul. No, the whole country hasn’t sold out to tourism, it’s just that the Beaten Track gets SO much publicity that it’s often difficult to see past the hype of places like Waitomo Caves. Thanks for buying my book…hope descriptions of places like Te Anga Road are worth every penny you spent!
Here’s a rundown of the wonders west of Waitomo. (All kms are distances from Waitomo.)
Haggas Lookout. 10km (west of Waitomo). A roadside lookout with signage pointing all the way to Tongariro.
Tawarau Falls. 22km. This is a marked track at the end of Appletree Road. Check the map at the I-site. I camped at this road-end, but it rained so hard the stream was in flood and hard to cross. I never found the falls, but the track seemed beautiful and adventuresome. Get info at I-site as there’s none at the trailhead.
Mangapohue Natural Bridge. 26km. A short loop track leads over bridges and suspended catwalks to a stunning limestone double archway, then on to bizarre oyster fossils. Campervan friendly carpark.
Piripiri Cave. 30km. This is a rugged short cave that’s good for a bit of adventure. Bring two torches. A ladder begins the descent, and that’s enough for most tourist folks. But now, turn on the lamps, let your eyes adjust for a couple of minutes, then pick your way down and left…a little muddy, but not too bad. Find the wall of oysters then a massive stalagmite. Crawl around a bit and you’ll find passages where are all the stallies have been knocked off by naughty folks. Go ahead and get muddy, a cleanse at Marokopa falls is only 2km away!
Marokopa Falls. 32km. These 30m falls are one of the most picturesque on the island. They face west, so photos are best in the afternoon. A short track leads to a view platform… but in order to rinse Piripiri’s mud off, you’ll have to scramble down the slippery path to the river. Down here the falls’ spray will cleanse you as you creep closer… and, if the sun is out…WOW, Mother Nature will encircle you with your own personal rainbow. A shower you’ll never forget!
Marokopa/Kiritehere beaches. 50km. Marokopa is a sleepy bach village with a campground and a small dairy that seems to cater to mostly fishermen. Kiritehere though, signed a couple of kms before Marokopa (then 6km unsealed over hill to the beach) is where you’ll want to go. Blacksand bisected by a flowing stream. Rocky outcrops and coves. Sand-bottomed wave zone perfect for body-surfing. Plentiful firewood. Sunset ahhhhs. Good campervan area with longdrop. Kiwi bliss, mate! Where’d all the tourists go??
