Stage 1 of the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk covers 9.2 km from Onepoto to Panekire Hut, with 894 m of ascent and 310 m of descent. The highest point is 1,185 m. Allow about 5 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
36-bunk Great Walk hut at about 1,070 m on Panekire Bluff, on the track, with mattresses, heating, non-flush toilets and rainwater (boil it); no gas, lighting or toilet paper. Book online with DOC; tank water can run low in summer and there is no campsite here.
Te Kura Whenua
Tūhoe-run visitor centre on SH38 at Te Karetu, about 9 km by road from the Onepoto start and 30 minutes from Hopuruahine; open daily 8 am to 4.30 pm for track, weather and transport advice. Free daytime parking only; no multi-day parking.
Lakeside holiday park beside the visitor centre, 9.3 km by gravel road from Onepoto, with 26 tent sites, 32 powered sites, chalets, cabins, a bunkhouse, kitchen, laundry, a small shop and fuel. The usual night before or after the walk; Great Walk parking for up to 10 days is near the entrance.
The only licensed lake transport, run from Te Karetu: boat transfers between Te Karetu, Onepoto and Whananui (Whanganui inlet, about 5 km before Hopuruahine), plus pack transfers; $75 per person per leg in 2026. Usually runs October to April only; book early.
Tūhoe-owned road shuttle between Onepoto, Hopuruahine, Te Karetu and Tuai Hall (2026: Hopuruahine to Onepoto $115, Hopuruahine to Te Karetu $75, Onepoto to Te Karetu $45), plus scheduled transfers from Napier and Rotorua. Book online before you start.
Four historic self-catering lodges (kitchens in each) on Lake Whakamarino in Tuai village, about 3–4 km by road from the Onepoto start. Listed on Visit Wairoa; its own site gives no 2025–26 dates, so call to check.
One self-contained queen suite with kitchen and laundry at 45 Mountain Road, Tuai, about 3–4 km by road from Onepoto. No guests under 16; listed on NewZealand.com, so confirm availability first.
Small free (freedom) campsite on SH38 at Rosie Bay, about 1.5 km by road from the Onepoto start: 6 non-powered sites, non-flush toilets, stream water (treat it), first come first served. It has closed at times for high lake levels and SH38 road works.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "not confirmed by the operator" are listed on tourism sites or OpenStreetMap but could not be confirmed as open for 2025–26 on an official page. Every hut and campsite night must be booked online with DOC before you start, all year. Huts have mattresses and heating but no gas cookers, lighting or toilet paper, and nothing is sold on the track.
Emergency: call 111. Carry a PLB. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.