By Outdoor Next Editorial standards
On this page
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: -35.89334, 174.12817. 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
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 20 mins return
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Tangihua Forest
- Dog access
- Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes 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
This easy walk takes you through regenerating forest to a viewing area above the remains of an old timber dam.
This DOC directory entry covers Kauri Dam Walk in Northland, within Tangihua Forest. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 20 mins return
- DOC grade: Easy
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 with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This walk takes you to the remains of an old timber dam used to flush logs down the stream in the early 1900s.
The track travels through regenerating forest along a flat terrain for the first 5 minutes. It then drops down to enter some larger canopy trees such as totara, towai and tanekaha.
The last 2 minutes walk is quite steep and slippery when wet, as it drops down to a tributary of the Pikiwahine Stream. The track ends at a railing and a viewing area.
Getting there
The track is in Tangihua Forest, halfway between Whangārei on Northland's east coast and Dargaville on the west coast. Your best access into Tangihua Forest is from Omana Road.
The Omana Road Tangihua access car park has parking for 15 cars. You will need to walk 30 minutes along a formed road to the bush line. From here, it is another 15 minutes towards Lions Lodge and the start of the track.
You will find the entrance sign near the viewing platform and turnaround area.
Know before you go
There is no water source in the forest so carry plenty of water to drink.
Be well prepared for changeable weather conditions.
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.
