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when I saw that staircase...

Wairere falls

Maggie O’Rourke

What an adventure this summer has brought, travelling around the Matamata-Piako district, we are so spoiled for choices on where to stay and what to do. One of my stops was at the Wairere Falls where I discovered we can freedom camp for four nights. 

They have 15 parks for self-contained campers, and even though the carpark has a slight lean it’s well worth parking up for a night or even 4. Peace, tranquility, a chance to go for a walk to the waterfall, crystal hunting or even a swim makes it worthwhile. 

My plans to go to the waterfall fell short when I saw the staircase. The thought of a 90 min climb back on a hot day turned me back.



I enjoyed the crystal hunting and wading in water and the small waterfalls instead. I didn’t take any photos of my walk as I just enjoying the beauty around me. Maggie O’Rourke. 

ckw.nz/doc-wairere | ckw.nz/waikato-wairere Images ©DOC



11 autumn 2025

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