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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: -38.53469, 175.24189. 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
- 2.5 km loop
- Walking time
- 1 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Mapara Wildlife Management Reserve
- Dog access
- No dogs. 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
You can hear and sometimes see kōkako and other birds on the Mapara Track.
This DOC directory entry covers Mapara Track in Waikato, within Mapara Wildlife Management Reserve. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 2.5 km loop
- Walking time: 1 hr
- 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.
- Mapara Track partial closure; First published on 11 May 2022. Last reviewed on 19 August 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Park on the side of the road, cross the swingbridge and take the loop track to the right.
The best time to hear the extraordinary call of the kōkako is at dawn and dusk, however if you are patient you may hear and see them during the day. Take a pair of binoculars.
Getting there
The Mapara Wildlife Reserve and track is about 35 km southeast of Te Kuiti. Turn on to Kopaki Road from either SH4 or SH30 and then Mapara South Road to the small kiosk at the reserve entrance.
There is extensive logging on Mapara South Road and it’s a narrow gravel road. Use caution when travelling Mapara South Road.
Know before you go
Bring binoculars to get close-up views of the birds.
Bring a head torch if you plan to walk the track before dawn.
Nature and conservation
A range of native birds may be seen along the track, including New Zealand falcon/karearea, Australasian Harriers, grey warbler/riorio, shining and longtail cuckoo. There are also kereru, fantail, bellbird, tui, and silver-eyes.
Kōkako may also be heard and sometimes seen from the track, and long-tailed bats maybe seen at dusk and dawn from the track.
The more common forest birds may be seen anywhere along the track, however kōkako are best seen from halfway up the loop track and beyond.
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.
