Pukawa - Kuratau River return

This route follows the lakefront trail linking the holiday villages of Pukawa, Omori and Kuratau as well as the Whiowhio Reserve which loops around Kuratau. You can start & finish anywhere on the route and there are multiple opportunities to jump in the lake and cool off along the way.

If you're starting from Pukawa Bay as described here, make your way north up Kaiuru Ave to the start of the Pukawa-Omori Bush Walk. This lovely track undulates through native bush and past the Omori Stream picnic area before emerging onto a grassy reserve which brings you down to the Omori boat ramp.

Take the stairs down to the beachfront beside the boat ramp and check the lake level - if it’s low enough you will be able to continue along the lake edge (this is the recommended route if it’s passable). If the lake is too high to run along the beach, head back up the boat ramp access road and continue north through a grassy reserve. Take the trail at the top of the hill leading into the bush, which winds along for a short distance before you emerge onto another grassy reserve in Kuratau. Keep an eye out on your right for the steep stairs leading down to the lakefront - go down these stairs and continue along the lakefront all the way around the Kuratau Esplanade reserve (crossing the boat ramp area with care).

Keep going along the lake shore until you reach the scenic Kuratau River mouth. Cut through the carpark and follow Te Rae Street briefly to the Whiowhio Reserve track, which winds around some baches before rejoining the river. Keep following the trail as it climbs up behind Kuratau village providing elevated lake views. Eventually you’ll come out onto Pīhanga Road. Turn right and then take the first left (Te Arahori Road). Look out on your right across the road for the reserve access trail, which takes you back through the bush to rejoin the lakefront trail. Follow this back the way you came to Pukawa Bay.