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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: -38.88276, 174.58210. 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
- 5 hr 30 min
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- White Cliffs and Mount Messenger Conservation Area
- 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
This track climbs to the summit of Mt Messenger and then descends to the coast.
This DOC directory entry covers Mount Messenger to White Cliffs Walkway Track in Taranaki, within White Cliffs and Mount Messenger Conservation Area. 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: 5 hr 30 min
- 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.
- Predator control for Parininihi/Mt Messenger; First published on 29 June 2026. Last reviewed on 22 July 2026.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This track climbs through tawa forest up a steep ridge to the summit of Mt Messenger (310 m). It then continues along the ridge through tawheowheo and kamahi forest. Rata are visible on the slopes below, and their flowers, in December/January, attract tui and bellbirds. The western slopes are damper, with tawa, ponga and the occasional pukatea tree.
Although the track follows a defined ridgeline it may be overgrown in places and navigation may be difficult.
Waipingau, the second highest point of the route, is reached approximately 1 hr 30 min after the start and is marked by an old iron survey peg. From here the track descends to the coast. Approximately 30 min before reaching Whitecliffs the track crosses the Maui gas pipeline. A short section through nikau forest leads to the White Cliffs Walkway Track.
From White Cliffs Walkway Track you can return to Mount Messenger, or with prior transport arrangements, follow the Walkway south to Pukearuhe.
Getting there
The track begins on SH3, 50 km north of New Plymouth and approximately 1 km from the base of the southern side of Mt Messenger.
Know before you go
No parking
There is no longer a carpark available for this track. The small carpark on SH3 near the track entrance is closed due to ongoing roadworks on Mount Messenger.
If you want to hike this track, you will need drop off and collection.
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.
