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: -40.72965, 175.63950. 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 km loop
- Walking time
- 2 hr
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
- Seasonal restrictions
- Pukaha Mount Bruce Visitor Centre is open daily from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm, closed Christmas Day
- 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
Experience stunning views and native bush on Te Arapiki o Tawhaki at Pukaha/Mount Bruce.
This DOC directory entry covers Te Arapiki o Tawhaki in Wellington, within Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre. 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 km loop
- Walking time: 2 hr
- 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.
Seasonal restrictions
Pukaha Mount Bruce Visitor Centre is open daily from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm, closed Christmas Day
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Explore the lowland podocarp forest of Pukaha/Mount Bruce on this loop track.
Access to this track is only available via the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, and an entry fee is required.
Getting there
The Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is located on SH2, 30 km north of Masterton and 10 km south of Eketahuna.
It takes about 2 hours to drive from Wellington and about 1 hour from Palmerston North.
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.
