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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -37.12199, 175.62940. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 900 m return loop
- Walking time
- 20 min
- Track grade
- Easiest
- Location
- Coromandel Forest Park / Kauaeranga Valley
- Dog access
- Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
A family-friendly walk through native plantings that leads to an old water race.
This DOC directory entry covers Kahikatea Walk in Waikato, within Coromandel Forest Park / Kauaeranga Valley. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 900 m return loop
- Walking time: 20 min
- DOC grade: Easiest
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
Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This walk leads from the visitor centre through native plantings to the one-third scale replica kauri driving dam. The model dam is like those used in the days of kauri logging.
The path crosses the dam and on to the old water race. From there it loops back to the visitor centre and car park.
You can do a nature treasure hunt on this track – get the question sheet from the visitor centre.
Getting there
The Kauaeranga Valley is east of Thames on the Coromandel Peninsula.
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.
