Te Urewera Visitor Centre

The area is beautiful. The walks we did were pretty good. Two different waterfalls on two tracks right next to each other. HOWEVER, the review was asking for the visitor centre... Which was no where to be found. The Google pin takes you to a lake holiday spot not a visitor centre. There's a sign pointing to the visitor centre further up the road, but this just takes you to a small turning circle (and the end of one of the loop tracks). All the toilets we found were locked too. Place is poorly signed.As a place of natural beauty this place is wonderful. But if you're expecting anything like the well signed tracks and national parks elsewhere in the country you will be out of luck

Really poor service, not answering the phones for several days in a row, took 10+ days to respond to a basic email query. I'd heard bad things but didn't fully believe it because taking over from DOC would take time to get up and running, but this was exceptionally bad. Such a natural gem, but awful management.

We did the great walk track starting on May 24th and visited the ‘visitor centre’ which wasn’t very welcoming besides being a nice building. The man working there was very unhelpful and misleading. He told us there was firewood at the huts but no kindling, however upon reaching the Panikere hut (first night) we discovered not only it had no firewood but hadn’t had it for days. I find this kind of lack of information to be unacceptable for a ‘Great Walk’. Also the Panikere hut is not up to the Great Walk standards. It is cold, metal floors, low quality all around. We enjoyed the rest of the hike but the first night experience was horrible. I think this should be demoted from a Great Walk as it’s pulling down the standard. Also I’m not blaming the land or lake which is beautiful and rugged but I’m criticising the people running the show here. I’d avoid this one in the winter as the first hut is not up to standard. And don’t trust the people at the visitor centre.

It's sad to see where things have got to here over the last 15 years. The visitors centre is disinterested in tourists and providing information. Waikereiti use to have boats for hire to use on the lake, they just appear to be rotting away at the lake, with the excuse that they have been vandalized, looking back at our stays log books that has been the excuse for 7 years. Such a waste of an awesome fishing spot, the area as a whole is one of nz's gems in regards to natural beauty.

Not quite a visitor center.When we arrived, a nice guy told us there was pretty much nothing in there... We were surprised we would not be able to learn more about the lake ...

Followed the trail around Lake Waikaremoana and was captivated by the ancient forest of Te Urewera. It was fantastic to spend four days immersed in this special area, appreciating the beauty of the native bush and birdlife. The track around the lake is relatively flat, with just a few ups and downs. You can take a side track to see Korokoro Falls. Climbing up to the highest point requires a reasonable level of fitness. You'll be rewarded by spectacular views from Panekire Bluff.

Didn't really seem to want to know us, shame DOC has abandoned the area as noone at the visitor centre was keen to welcome and help visitors appreciate what the area has to offer.

NOTE! Location is incorrect, this is now just before the Waikaremoana Holiday park.2 stars for Wifi and clean bathrooms.Center closed on weekend, I suppose long weekend local tourists are not of importance.Building had lights on but was closed and no opening hours displayed outside. Not much info inside either from the look of it.Similar to other reviews here, quality of service have gone downhill at The Urewera under new management (Tahue Iwi), either mild neglect or perhaps just a passive aggressive way to keep visitors away?I can only hope none of my taxpayer money went into construction of this rather lovely and expensive looking building.

Visitor centre was pretty new, however requires cobwebs etc to be cleaned from the outside. Pretty basic stuff, and wouldn't take much effort to make it a stunning facility. Inside it is great with good service. Wifi available here although intermittant and cuts out totally about 7pm.

I have been trying to get through on the phone to ask a question about water taxi services but no one has answered the phone for 2 days in a row.