Davies Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Follow Davies Track to Patuhā Trig to get great views of the coastline and Taranaki Maunga. You can combine it with the Waimoku Track.

This DOC directory entry covers Davies Track in Taranaki, within Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 4.2 km one way
• Walking time: 2 hr to trig
• DOC grade: Advanced

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Davies Track starts at Surrey Hill Road end and climbs through farmland, following marker poles to the edge of Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki. From here it climbs steadily through bush to Patuhā Trig, offering great views of the coastline and up to Taranaki Maunga.

This walk can be combined with the Waimoku Track for a total 4 hour trip that descends into Lucy’s Gully. You will need to organise transport to pick you up from Lucy's Gully.

Sefton Ridge Track also links with Waimoku Track.

When crossing farmland respect private property, leave gates as you find them and stay on the route.

Note: Many of the Kaitake Range tracks are overgrown and have small tree windfalls on them. Expect longer travel times.

Getting there

The Kaitake Range is the backdrop to the township of Oakura. From New Plymouth, follow Devon Street West south, continuing on coastal State Highway 45, 5 km past Oakura.

Turn left again into Surrey Hill Road to get to the start of Davies Track. It’s about a 20 minute drive from New Plymouth.

Know before you go

Be prepared for changeable weather

Taranaki Maunga has changeable and unpredictable weather. Check the forecast and carry enough clothing and equipment to ensure you are able to cope with any type of weather, at any time of the year. The rivers and tributaries are not always bridged and some of these can flood at any time of the year.

Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki weather forecast – NIWA website

Pack warm and waterproof clothing

Be ready for any weather by packing a waterproof jacket and plenty of warm layers. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes (tramping boots are recommended).

• What to pack for a day trip

• What to pack for an overnight trip

Nature and conservation

The lowland coastal forest of the Kaitake Range is a very different forest than that found in the rest of the Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki. The trees here are not found in the higher areas. There are nikau, titoke, kohekohe, and puriri trees. You’ll find pukeatea and karaka trees and see silver fern and a range of smaller plants.

A stand of Californian redwood trees, planted in the 1930s are protected by a special dispensation in the Egmont National Park Management Plan. Other exotic trees planted at the same time are slowly being removed to allow regeneration of native species.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.