Mokau Falls is roughly a 4 hours’ drive away from either Rotorua or from Napier. Don’t rely on Google trip time estimations. The road is a typical winding one with lots of ‘zigzags’ and unsealed surface. We recommend a 4-WD vehicle for this trip.

Driving from Rotorua: travel south on the SH-5, then turn left into the SH38, a sealed road, which becomes a gravel winding road for the last 40km. The last 15-20 km is a zigzag road, sometimes one-way one, which runs along the lake's shore.

Driving from Napier: travel north on the SH-2, then turn left into the SH38, a sealed road, which becomes a gravel one for the last 30km. The last 20 km is a zigzag road, sometimes one-way one, which runs along the lake's shore.

When you drive from Rotorua the waterfall is seen from a road roughly 10 km before arrival to the Information Center. A car park is available at Waikaremoana Rd (no toilets, no tables) 100m past a bridge over the Mokau Stream. You can also leave your car in vehicle’s bays before the bridge.

No track. The waterfall is fully visible from the parking or from a road while driving towards the Information Center.

If you wish, you can walk to the waterfall’s base. From Waikaremoana Rd, turn to Mokau Landing Capsite and leave your car near the campsite. From here, walk up the road until you see 'Fish and Game' sign (on your right). From here follow the path which brings you to the Mokau Stream. This track can be muddy and slippery, so take extra care. In roughly 15 minutes you will reach the pool at the falls base. Here you'll need to cross the stream, so basic ‘stream walking’ skills are required. Return via the same route. Total walking time is 30-40 minutes.