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Short walks, hikes and day trips in the the Whirinaki Rainforest, one
hour by car from Rotorua (Click on labels to find out detail)
Okui Hut Walks
- Access from Te Whaiti on highway 38 towards Murupara. Park at the side
track where the road turns sharply left just after leaving the Whirinaki
River. The side track trom the main road is closed to vehicles.
Walk to Okui Hut
Access by foot only 4.2 km over wide level path to the swing bridge crossing
the Whirinaki. Okui hut is a further 20 minutes from the bridge.
Loop walks from Okui Hut
From the hut there, there are three loop walk tracks, these range
in length from 15 minutes to about 6 hours. The tracks explore stunning
podocarp forest and a range of habitats.
Walks in the Minginui area
 The Mangamate Waterfall
Access from Te Whaiti, turning right at the sign approx 1 Km
before reaching Minginui Village. A delightful waterfall with safe swimming
and a riverside recreation / camping area with picnic tables and
toilets. VIDEOCLIP AVAILABLE Click here
Check out the campsite developments we are making for Summer 2008/9
Forest Sanctuary
Access from Te Whaiti turning left at Sanctuary Road shortly before entering
Minginui Village. The Sanctuary protects a striking remnant of podocarp
forest. The track is an easy 1 hour loop starting across the stream from
the carpark.
‘H-tree’ Track
Access from Minginui by crossing the river bridge and taking Fort Road
on the left . This is an easy 45 minute loop through grand podocarp forest
containing a large population of native birds including kaka. The main
feature is an unusually shaped rimu tree. Early mornings or late afternoons
are great for seeing and/or hearing the birds.
The Whirinaki River Road carpark area
walks - accessed from Minginui
by crossing the river bridge and taking River Road on the left for approx
6 km to the carpark.
Waiatiu Falls Track
An easy, well graded track taking around 1 1/2 hr return from the Whirinaki
Carpark. The track passes through magnificent podocarp forest. The falls
are spectacular but the viewing point is slippery so take care.
 To
Whaiti-Nui-A-Toi Canyon
This is a short well-graded walk from the Whirinaki Carpark, which takes
visitors along the first portion of the Whirinaki Track to the spectacular
Te Whaiti Nui-a-Toi canyon. This is a very
sacred area for the Ngati Whare
Iwi and the forest floor here is rich with precious plant species,
so no straying from the track is permitted. The 15 minute walk to the
canyon is through some of the world's richest podocarp forest, with bird
and all other forms of life. Click here for VIDEOCLIP
 Arahaki Lagoon
Continue up River Road past the Whirinaki Carpark for 2Km to the Arataki
Carpark. From here its an easy half to full day walk depending on how
much you want to explore. The track passes through impressive tawa/podocarp
forest. The rain fed lagoon is surrounded by towering kahikatea and is
often alive with frogs. A 3-4 hour return trip.
Whirinaki Waterfall Track
This easy loop track follows the Whirinaki River through superb podocarp
forest with many excellent vantage points along the way. The waterfall
can be heard from some distance. Take your lunch for a 3-4 hour round
trip. Access from River Road car park.
Recreation Camp
Tracks - Access the camp
from Minginui by crossing the river and taking the Old Te Whaiti Road
Loop Track to River
F rom the Recreation Camp take an easy walk along the Whirinaki River
and back up to the camp through native forest. Allow about 30 minutes
return.
Lookout track
The track starts across the road from the Recreation Camp and winds uphill,
eventually coming to a clearing giving great views. This is an easy walk
and takes about 1 hour return.
Drives from Minginui
Cathedral Grove Track
From Minginui cross the river bridge and take take the Old Te Whaiti Road.
After assing the Recreation Camp take the first left up South Road for
about 6Km then turn right into Mangawhiri Access Road and travel approx
2Km to the signpost marking the start of the track. This track is very
easy and takes 10-20 minutes. It provides a glimpse of an almost pure
totara forest remnant.
Taupiri Lookout
From Minginui cross the River Bridge and take Main Road which later merges
into South Road, turn Right into Cocksford Road where the short access
track is signposted.. This historic fire lookout is a 27km round trip
from Minginui and offers 360 degree views of the area. (It is one of the
few areas where cellphone coverage is possible).
Okahu road end walks -
From Te Whaiti take Highway38 towards Waikaremoana turning right at Ngaputahi
up Okahu Road to the road end
Skip’s (Whangatawhia) Hut
From the Okahu road end car part this easy walk follows theWhangatawhia
stream to the hut and takes about 3-4 hours return. Many footbridges provide
picturesque forest views.
| Kaitiaki
(Care) Code
Protect plants and animals
Remove rubbish
Bury toilet waste
Keep streams and lakes clean
Take care with fires
Camp carefully,
Keep to the track
Consider others
Respect our cultural heritage
Toitu te whenua
(Leave the land undisturbed) |
Get more Information from Department of Conservation:
Much information on this page was taken from the DOC bochure "Whirinaki
Forest Park -Short walks and Tracks" Collect one of these on your
way in and get local advice from
Rangitaiki Area Office,
PO Box 114, Main Rd, Murupara. ph (07) 366 1080, email:
Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre,
SH38 Waikaremoana, (PO Box213, Wairoa), Ph (07) 837 3803
Get your own map
it is NZMS 260 Series V18 - Whirinaki. (Alternately NZMS 170 Urewera National
Park)
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