Last Updated: 28th Nov 2023
Harker Reserve to Vivian Falls
Last Updated: 28th Nov 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 11 ?
Gnarl Factor: 39 ?
6.2km
250m
250m
130m
Last Updated: 28th Nov 2023
Last Updated: 28th Nov 2023
Open
Grunt Factor: 11 ?
Gnarl Factor: 39 ?
6.2km
250m
250m
130m
Front country - easily accessible
Out and Back
Undulating, small hills only
Dog Friendly
Native bush
Open farmlands
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +9.7%
Average Downhill Gradient: -9.7%
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1:00
Slow
45:00
Moderate
30:00
Fast
Begin this run at the carpark on Onewhero-Tuakau Bridge Rd. Enter the track at the end of the carpark and follow this trail through the native bush (do not take any any of tracks off this main track) until on your left after about 2km's there is a clearing and sign post for Vivian Falls. Follow the narrow single trail descending until you arrive at the bottom of the falls, a nice place for breather and a drink, returning via the same track back up to the main track.
Turn right heading further away from the start along the main track until you get to the junction of Miller Rd and Halfway Gully Rd. You will be just over 3kms into your run at this point & this is where you turn around and return along the main track back to the start - If you choose to explore tracks away from the main track the best ones to take will be signposted as loop tracks.
The 12m high Te Wai Heke O Maoa (Vivian) Falls, named after Maoa who in the 1700's would test the courage of his warriors by ordering them to dam the falls at the top and then lie in the stream below at the bottom. Once they were positioned he would release the water to pour over them and if the warriors held their position he took it as a sign they would be successful in battle.
Carpark on Onewhero-Tuakau Bridge Rd 50m from the start of the trail - space for plenty of cars, no public transport
13 km
14 minutes
Yes
No
Easy.
Stay on the main track which is wide and very easy to follow only diverting at the well marked Vivian Falls track
Patchy.
Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map
Water from the falls would need to be purified
Can get mildly muddy after heavy rain but generally in very good condition
Do not view the falls from the top, the drop off is heavily obscured by thick vegetation and could easily be missed.
Tuakau Hotel
1 George St Tuakau
http://www.tuakauhotel.co.nz/
Guiness On Tap!! and if you have to many like any good old 1800's pub you can stay the night
Town Mouse
191 King Street Pukekohe
http://www.townmouse.net.nz/
Great homemade food and superb coffee
Trail Legend
Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
You and Harker Reserve to Vivian Falls
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Nice little short trail, good for the kids. Nothing technical or challenging, but nice enough for a few loops after work
March 3, 2020
Absolutely loved this. A perfect micro adventure . Love bush, birdlife and a waterfall to savour with its bloodthirsty history lesson. The Loop Track is a well worthwhile diversion too. Thanks, fully recommend!
October 29, 2019
Super wide well maintained track, nice waterfall, good length to be able to knock out a quick run after work, can get pretty muddy in spots when wet, but largely easy goings
July 29, 2019
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