Owharoa Falls, Staircase waterfall in Karangahake Gorge, New Zealand

Owharoa Falls is a staircase waterfall on the Taieri Stream in Waikino, near the Karangahake Gorge. It drops about 6 metres in total over several tiers, and its outflow empties into the Ohinemuri River. The falls sit just off Waitawheta Road, a short walk from roadside parking.

The falls lie on the Taieri Stream, whose outflow joins the Ohinemuri River and then the Waihou at Paeroa. The stream and its drop sit in the Waikino area of the Karangahake Gorge, a few kilometres east of the gorge itself, beside State Highway 2 between Paeroa and Waihi.

The falls lie in the Waikino area, a few kilometres east of Karangahake Gorge, and the stream below them runs into the Ohinemuri River, which reaches the Waihou River at Paeroa. Visitors reach the base on foot from Waitawheta Road, just past the bridge over the Ohinemuri River.

Access is via Waitawheta Road with a dedicated parking area near the site. A short walk from the parking area leads directly to the viewing area where you can see and reach the falls.

The falls drop about 6 metres in total, and the stream below runs into the Ohinemuri River, which reaches the Waihou River at Paeroa. From the car park off Waitawheta Road, just past the bridge over the Ohinemuri, a track leads to the base in about five minutes.