Upper Whaka Outlook

Upper Whaka Outlook sits at 1,285 feet on the Thermal Explorer Highway, facing 30 degrees toward the north-northeast. The land drops 326 feet within 600 meters of the overlook, giving an open view down toward the lower terrain. Lake Rotoatamaheke and Lake Te Kirikiri lie 0.4 miles to the northeast, with Puarenga Stream visible a short distance beyond at 0.7 miles. Farther out, a series of capes trace the shoreline: Rocky Point and Sulphur Point near 2 miles, Motutara Point at 2.6 miles, Ōwhatiura Point at 3.0 miles, Hinemoa Point at 3.9 miles, Kawaha Point at 4.3 miles, and Ngunguru Point at 5.2 miles, all within the north to northeast arc. Sulphur Lake is also visible to the north at 2.1 miles. Sunrise and sunset times shift across the year, with the earliest sunrise at 05:49 on the December solstice and the latest sunset at 20:38 on the same date, while the September equinox brings the earliest sunset at 18:11.