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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: -37.89244, 175.91326. 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
- 5 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 1 hr 15 min one way
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Kaimai Mamaku Conservation 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
This track takes you through a stream several times and to swimming holes and kauri trees.
This DOC directory entry covers Rapurapu Kauri Track in Bay of Plenty, within Kaimai Mamaku Conservation 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: 5 km return via same track
- Walking time: 1 hr 15 min one way
- 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
This track features mature tawa/podocarp forest with many fern species in the understorey, a stream with swimming holes and three impressive kauri trees that are growing near their southern limit.
The track leaves from a carpark on the Waikato side of the Kaimai range on SH29. It passes through pine forest before entering bush. The track continues on an easy grade for 20 minutes before descending to the Rapurapu Stream, which it crosses eight times before reaching the kauri grove. The largest tree measures 180 cm in diameter and 14 m to the first branch.
A view of the three big trees may be obtained from the rocks in the middle of the stream, just before climbing the boardwalk steps. Kauri have a shallow root system which can easily be damaged. Keep to the boardwalk to avoid trampling the sensitive roots.
Return along the same track.
Getting there
On SH29, about 4 km past the Kaimai Summit towards the Waikato side, a short gravel road on the left (not signposted) leads to a parking area where the track begins.
Know before you go
Caution – multiple river crossings are required. These are not difficult during good weather but may become impassable after heavy rain.
Consult a topographic map.
Mountain biking is not permitted.
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.
