Tarawera / Tarawera Falls to Wooden Road Bridge, II-IV (P)

The Tarawera
River begins at the eastern end of Lake Tarawera under the shadow of the
mountain of the same name famous for its cataclysmic eruption in 1886 which
buried the pink and white terraces. The river drains the popular lake and heads
east to the coast through some impressive volcanic geology and via the township
of Kawerau. Kayakers have been using the river for years but mainly through
Kawerau where the slalom site is situated. The upper river has received more
attention in the last few years and offers some enjoyable paddling.

The geology
poses some interesting problems. In the top section the river suddenly
disappears amongst some rocks and reappears 500m downstream as a 30m waterfall
gushing out of a crevice in the rock face. The river flows underground because
of a series of lava flow cliffs which blocked the river about 11,000 years ago.
The porous rhyolite is cracked and creviced and the water has found its way
through in these.

A short walk up to the base of the falls
provides a put in for a class II-IV run. Be careful as there are many trees in
this section. There is one class V (P) rapid which has yet to be run and a 3m
waterfall which is scoutable from the road between the last bridge and the road
end.