Track closed until further notice due to the kauri disease pathogen found in the Kaimais. Please note, a rāhui (temporary prohibition) is in place until further notice. Find out more here.
Getting there
Wharawhara Road, Katikati
Turn off State Highway 2 onto Wharawhara Road. Just before you reach the end of Wharawhara Road, you'll find a car park on the left.
About the walks
Wharawhara Tramway Track
4 hours one way
This tracks leads up the Wharawhara Valley along the
old tramway past the site of an historic kauri driving
dam. Begin at the Wharawhara Road end and follow the track,
crossing the river into the park for 10 minutes before arriving
at a junction.
Take the right-hand path, following the river
upstream and ascending gradually for an hour before reaching
a steeper section that leads up to the Wharawhara Saddle.
Pass the turnoff to the Wairoa Track and descend into the
upper Waitawheta Valley before reaching the turnoff to the
old kauri driving dam. Rotting timbers in the bed of the creek
are all that remains. It is 1 hour 30 minutes to Waitawheta Hut
from this point.
Alternative route via Wharawhara Link Track
Take the turnoff to the Wharawhara Link Track
(10 minutes from the road end) to join the Te Rereatukahia
Loop Track and access to Te Rereatukahia Hut
(2 hours total from Wharawhara Road end).
Te Rereatukahia Loop Track
7 hours return, 14 km
This walk links Hot Springs Road with Te Rereatukahia
Hut and back again in a loop. It can be walked in either
direction. The easiest route is to take the Tuahu Track to the
Tuahu Saddle. From here take the North South
Track until coming to Te Rereatukahia Hut.
From the hut the Te Rereatukahia Track continues along a flat ridge top
before descending steeply. About 1 hour after the hut is a
junction with a track to Wharawhara Road end. The loop track
continues straight on, passing through two groves of kauri
before crossing the river and meeting up with Hot Springs
Road again, 100 m from the car park.
