📍 10 Poripori Road, Tauriko, Lower Kaimai
📍 Address: 10 Poripori Road, Tauriko, Lower Kaimai 3171, New Zealand
A popular swimming hole which can get quite busy on a nice day. It requires wading through the river, knee high initially, however, you must pay attention to the signs, as this river is a controlled flow and Sunday's it is in full flood to allow white water rafters to play in the rapids. DO NOT SWIM THERE if it has been raining or on a day of the release.
A Fun Spot for a Swim! If you're looking for a great place to cool off, Poripori Water Holes is the spot! Nestled in the Bay of Plenty, it's a fantastic swimming hole surrounded by lush bush and cool rock formations. Here’s how to get there and what to expect. Getting There Getting to Poripori Water Holes is pretty straightforward: Park: Find a spot in the gravel area along Poripori Road. Cross the River: You’ll need to hop across the Wairoa River. It's good to wear some shoes. Follow the Path: Look for a narrow path that leads you through some rocks and bush. There is also a path through the forrest. A bit hard to find when you go there. Easier when you go back. Head Left: Once you’re through, take a left to find the water holes. What to Expect Swimming Fun There are several swimming holes with different depths, so it’s great for everyone—kids and adults alike! The water is nice and refreshing, perfect for those hot days. You can lounge on the rocks or even try some jumps if you're feeling adventurous! Safety First Before you go, check out Trustpower's website for water release schedules. They have a siren that goes off before they release water from McLaren Falls Dam. Be aware that the water levels can change quickly, so always keep an eye out for any warning signs. It’s best to visit when the water is calm. Tips for Your Visit Bring some snacks and drinks to enjoy while you’re there. There are no toilets, so plan accordingly! Make sure you keep an eye on kids, as some parts can be tricky with rocks. Overall, Poripori Water Holes is a fun and relaxing place to spend a day. Just remember to stay safe and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!
What a little gem of a place! Bit of work to get to the small waterfall and swim hole but definitely worth it, put on plenty of bug spray though and bring a towel as you cross the water at the start.
Such an incredible place and free to go! It's close to Tauranga. If you are going to the waterfall like I did just be really careful and the rocks are slippery and the water moves fast and is deep so make sure you have someone with you at all times just in case. The place is really beautiful though and worth seeing. When you first enter you do need to cross the river which has a little beach on the other side. Highly recommend!
Just been at the best fresh water swimming hole...near Tauranga...Poripori. To get to it you only need to park up and walk 1 minute to the bank edge, then carefully walk down the bank and wade through 1 to 1.5 feet of water to the flat rocks...not really slippery so easy. Now, that seems like a lovely place and it is...but if you walk 1 minute over to the other side where the trees are you come across a narrow path into the bush. This is so pretty with all the greenery... like being in the jungle. When you get to the end of the narrow path it opens up to rock landscape surrounding a huge swimming area that has small waterfalls and many places to go climb and jump off of various heights...this then continues around to the right for even more wonderland. I only posted this as most have no idea how to get to it as the first swimming hole is not the main attraction.
Stopped to check it out so we can come back on weekday when its not so busy, lots to explore and see plenty of areas to swim & jump off from
Great place for swim! But should definitely check the dates before going in. There are days where they open up the dam.
Awesome spot with swimming options for a range of ages. Possibly a bit limited for preschoolers unless they're quite confident in the water. If you're keen you can jump off the cliffs, or if that is a bit extreme for your liking there is at least one rope swing over the river. We didn't explore too far as we had three young kids with us, but there seem to be plenty of attractions further downstream and/or over the other branch of the river, based on the number of people coming back from that direction. Use the link on the Poripori water holes website before you go to make sure it isn't a high river day due to them releasing flow from the dam upstream.
The water holes are the rock formations that form along the Wairoa River. There is a carpark that leads to the river where you can swim and jump off the rocks into the deep water. You can also move further downstream where there are more places to swim and jump off. It is really deep (which is why you can jump from the rocks) so you need to be a decent swimmer. The rocks are also quite slippery so you need to be careful near the waters edge. We had floaties to just relax on the water as well as going down the falls. Really good place for those that like a bit of a thrill.
Poripori Water Holes is located at 10 Poripori Road, Tauriko, Lower Kaimai 3171, New Zealand
You can find directions to Poripori Water Holes by following this map link
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