Cultural values
The run passes through many important places for the local Maori people. This run has been routed so that you do not disturb or impact on these sacred sites. If you are a visitor to the area you will ahve many opportunities to learn about Maori culture during your stay in Rotorua. To have some understanding of local history, you may wish to read about thermal activity came to the area or learn about the Tarawera eruption of 1886. .

Getting here
The Tarawera Ultramarathon passes through some of the most scenic places in the North Island, making this not only a test of endurance but also an opportunity to explore some beautiful places in the Bay of Plenty. Getting to Rotorua.

For Australian entrants, Air New Zealand will soon be offering direct flights from Sydney to Rotorua. The Rotorua airport is only a ten minutes drive from the race start line (and race check-in area).

Rotorua: The start town, Rotorua, is a world-renowed tourist mecca, known for a huge range of outdoor activities as well as many geothermal and Maori cultural attractions. Whether seeking to experience Maori culture, geothermal earth forces, spa rejuvenation, thrills and adventure, or any of the other natural assets like 16 lakes, some of the world's best mountain biking trails, fantastic trout fishing and a myriad of forest walking tracks – Rotorua delivers it all! Rotorua HOT DEALS for visitors.

Run Start: The Redwoods Visitors Centre, Rotorua. The journey begins in the Redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest, famous for its magnificent stands of towering Californian Coastal Redwoods. As a visitor, you can experience some of the finest walking and mountain bike trails in the world, not to mention taking in superb panoramic views of Rotorua City, Lake and surrounding district. Read about the recreational opportunities in the Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest. For crew and spectators, you'll probably want to take advantage of an early morning stroll through the Redwoods yourself.

Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake): Running over the hill from the Whakarewarewa Forest you'll continue along along forestry roads near Tarawera Road. The forestry road ends in a single track and plunges downhill through native bush towards Blue Lake. You'll make a right-hand turn as you hit the Blue lake Track and run around the lake in a counter-clock-wise direction. The first aid station will be on the thin peninsula between Blue and Green Lakes. From the aid station, you'll plunge down the trail again and follow the lakeshore to Okareka Loop Road.

For spectators, it is only a short drive from the Redwoods down Tarawera Road to Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake). There is ample parking alongside the lake right near the aid station between , so this is a great place to cheer on the runners as they pass through. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to get there ahead of the runners since they'll have a hill to climb first just after leaving the Redwood Grove.



Lake Okareka (and relay change #1): From Tikitapu you'll hit the only paved section of the entire course as you follow Okareka Loop Road through the Okareka Township and through to the end of Millar Road. You'll pass through pockets of native bush and farmland along the way. It is a very quiet road, so at this time of day there should be little to no traffic out there. The second aid Station of the run (and first relay change) will be at Boyce Park, Millar Road on the shores of the Lake Okareka. This park is on Ute Millar road end of Lake Okareka township.

The Okataina Scenic Reserve (and relay change #2) : Millar Road turns into a gravel road and turns slightly uphill. The Western Okataina Trail starts on the left-hand side of the road. This track is densely vegetated with native bush often growing right over the track so you are enclosed in a forest canopy.

As you climb to the top you'll have views of Lake Okataina and Tarawera with Mt. Tarawera in the background. on the Western Okataina Walkway you'll reach the highest point of the course. This section is probably the first real serious test of stamina. The uphill is long but is runnable for almost its entire length. Following a quick 3km descent along the Lake Okataina track you'll reach Okataina Lodge and the start of the Eastern Okataina Walkway. This is the half-way(ish) point for the run and Relay Change#2. Pictured below is the start of the Eastern Okataina Walkway, the relay change-over point and aid station.


The start of the Eastern Okataina walkway, a aid station point and relay change-over.

Spectators and crew can access the start of the Eastern Okataina Walkway easily. This is approximately a 40 minute drive from Lake Tikitapu. Please be aware, the road to Lake Okataina is narrow and winding, so take caution. The Okataina Scenic Reserve tracks are accessed from Okataina Road. Turn off SH 30 (Whakatane/ Rotorua highway) at Ruato, 22 km from Rotorua.

The Eastern Okataina Walkway is gently rolling with no major climbs. On the Eastern Okataina Walkway there are views over the lake and out to the Western Okataina ridge in the distance that you passed over earlier in the day. There is a short climb over a hill that drops you down to Humphries Bay (with another aid station) on the shoreline of Lake Tarawera. Form here you''ll hug the coastline for most of the run through to the Tarawera Outlet. The trail turns inland at times through some dense bush, be prepared for a couple of short, steep hills.

Please note: There is no spectator or crew access along the Eastern Okataina Walkway or the section from Humphries Bay through to the Tarawera Outlet - unless you don't mind doing a little hiking. The first accessible point to meet runners is at the Tarawera Outlet.

Tarawera Lake, Falls and River (and relay #3): At the end of the lake, there will be an aid station at the Tarawera Outlet and another one a short 30 minute run down the river at the Tarawera Falls. The 3.5 km stretch from the Tarawera Outlet to the Tarawera Falls is one of the most scenic along the entire course. There are several waterfalls cascading right alongside the track and spectacular views of the river. Crew and spectators can enjoy this section of the track - just be aware that you'll be sharing the track with runners. See some photos of the Tarawera Falls Track.


A swimming hole alongside the Tarawera River Track (I'd recommend a quick dip if you are feeling hot).

Crew and spectator access is allowed at the Tarawera Outlet and Tarawera Falls. The Outlet has a larger parking area while the Falls offer more spectacular river scenery and a welcome swimming hole. Access to both places is only via the township of Kawerau. You require an access permit available for $3.50 from Kawerau Information Centre located on Plunket St, Kawerau. Opening Hours: 8am - 4pm Monday-Sunday.

An alternative for spectators and crew is to drive to the Tarawera Falls. A very pleasant 20 minute walk along the Tarawera Falls Track takes you to this spectacular waterfall that bursts out of a sheer cliff. Remember to bring your camera. Togs and a towel are handy also to swim on the river back near the carpark. The photo at left is taken from the Tarawera Falls Track.

The relay change-over and aid station will be at the carpark 0.5km below the Tarawera Falls.


Anne's supporters ready to greet her at the Tarawera Falls Aid Station. 2009 Tarawera Ultra

The remainder of the run through the Tarawera Forest follows the river as much as possible. you'll continue down waterfall road on to Tarawera Road. From Tarawera Road you'll make a couple of detours to follow the river. You'll turn right and follow River Road along its entire length. Crossing over tarawera road, follow Buddles Creek through a single track of native bush to the Kawerau Golf Course. A few hundred metres past the golf course, your long run will come to an end - right beside the Tarawera River.

Kawerau: Enjoy a well-deserved swim in the river. From the river we will transport you to the the FREE hotpools (with a hot spa pool and hot showers). Visitors can also enjoy a walk along the Ruruanga Stream, the BMX track, skateboard park or pick up something to eat from downtown.

...and you'll finish right near the Kawerau hotpools. Free hot showers, spa and kids pools.

The name Okataina means "the lake of laughter" and is a shortened form of the original name "Te Moana-i-Kataina-a-TeRangitakaroro", which means the place where Rangitakaroro laughed.