The town is situated on the shore of the Okere Inlet of Lake Rotoiti, from which the Kaituna River flows north towards the Bay of Plenty.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of drifting" for Ōkere.

[3] Okere Falls is a popular spot for fishing and rafting and is known for its lakeside and waterfalls.

[8] The area is the traditional homeland of the Ngāti Pikiao, who remain the guardians of the river through the Lake Rotoiti Scenic Reserves Board.

Before the first road bridge over the river was built in 1872, local Māori operated a ferry across the inlet.

Travellers from Tauranga to Rotorua would typically break their journey with a night at the nearby Fraser's Hotel.

The Okere Falls area has three Ngāti Pikiao marae: In October 2020, the Government committed $4,525,104 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade Pounamunui, Tāheke Opatia and eight other marae, creating an estimated 34 jobs; while also committed $441,758 to upgrade Te Takinga, creating an estimated 51 jobs.

By the late 19th century, trout fishing had become very popular, and for a while the hydro-electric power station was a tourist attraction in its own right.

[10] A well-formed bushwalk with scenic lookouts over Okere River and its spectacular waterfalls, the Okere Falls and the Tutea Falls, as well as the remains of the hydro-electric power station, can be found on Trout Pool Road.

At Tutea Falls, named after a local Māori chief, a lookout provides a good vantage point to see kayakers and rafts plunge over the seven-metre-tall waterfall.