Waiomu Kauri Grove Walk

This very pretty track is mostly a gentle grade until reaching 136 steps to a stand of mature kauri. Through a beautiful and diverse bush setting, it generally follows a stream with bridges over all but one of the crossings. About 25 minutes from the start, a short side track leads across a stream to the old Monowai Goldmine battery site.

• track category: Easy
  
• track length: from 5- to 6-km return
• walking time: from 2- to 2.5-hr return
• track start location: see map below
• km from town: 42 km

Track Description: 83 Waiomu Valley Rd, 45 min/42km south of town (dog okay on leash) – up to 2.5-hr/6-km return.

This very pretty track is mostly a gentle grade until reaching 136 steps to a stand of mature kauri trees. Through a beautiful and diverse bush setting, it generally follows a stream with bridges over all of the crossings. However, there is a concrete ford to walk through near the start, so be prepared for wet feet.

About 25 minutes from the start, a short side-track on your left leads to an unbridged creek and then to the remnants of the old Monowai Goldmine battery site.

You can also continue past the kauri grove on a rougher tramping track for about 15 min to a view of the gulf, and beyond to other tracks and more kauri trees if you prefer a longer walk.

Clean your footwear on arrival and departure at the shoe-cleaning station to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease. If you bring a dog, be sure to clean its feet too.

Park at the carpark on Waiomu Valley Rd at the end of the sealed road (about 200m past Lucy Rd) and continue on foot 600m on the gravel road to where the track begins. Watch for track markers as there are side roads to private properties along the way. You can also park across the main road in the Waiomu Reserve (toilet available) by the beach. Take note of the wonderful pōhutukawa trees there, one with an amazing display of adventitious roots. Walking from the reserve will add 10 min each way.

click any image to view slideshow