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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: -35.47342, 174.39625. 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
- 4.2 km one way
- Walking time
- 2 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Mimiwhangata Coastal Park
- 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
Follow an old logging road over inland ridges through the Kaiikanui Forest. There is no through access to Whananaki for Te Araroa walkers.
This DOC directory entry covers Morepork Track in Northland, within Mimiwhangata Coastal Park. 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
- 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
From the Kaiikanui Road entrance the track follows a well formed old roadway for about 4 km. It then sidles off into the bush to follow a fenceline for much of the way down into a gully, then climbs steeply to a cleared and grassy high point (218 m). There are spectacular views here out to the coast and the Poor Knight Islands.
Note the section of the track that leads to Whananaki from the track junction is closed. There is no through access to Whananaki for Te Araroa walkers.
Getting there
The DOC track starts off the Kaiikanui Road at its western end. It is approximately 45 km north of Whangārei.
Kaiikanui Road can be accessed either from the north through Helena Bay or alternatively by Pigs Head Road just off Whananaki North Road at Opuawhanga. Be aware that this is a narrow winding dirt road – take care when driving.
Know before you go
There may be wasps and wasp nests in the area.
History and culture
Around 1900 this area of forest was opened up for logging and the track itself follows a road that was formed at this time to provide access into the densely forested ridges and valleys.
Prior to this these same ridges were used by ancient Maori to provide access from coastal settlements to the interior and sections of this track follow these early trails.
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.
