Trounson Kauri Park Loop Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Walk through a spectacular stand of kauri and experience the unique character of this ancient forest by day or night.

This DOC directory entry covers Trounson Kauri Park Loop Track in Northland, within Trounson Kauri 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: 1.6 km loop
• Walking time: 40 min
• DOC grade: Easiest

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

An easy 40-minute loop track leads you through a spectacular stand of kauri. The track is undulating with a mix of boardwalk and metal track.

It is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. However some parts of the track are steep and may not be suitable.

Wheelchair access is via the Trounson Kauri Park day car park. The pathway to the only wheelchair accessible wash station from the car park is relatively steep and approxiately 50 metres long. Wheelchairs users will need to return to the same entrance/exit point, which makes it a longer walk and not a loop.

Wheelchairs should be clean to prevent the spread of kauri disease. Brushes and spray are available.

Getting there

Trounson Kauri Park is 38 km north of the township of Dargaville.

The park is accessible via Trounson Park Road from the south off State Highway 12 or from the north via Katui Road, which links to Trounson Park Road at Donnellys Crossing.

There are two entry points to Trounson Kauri Park:

• Trounson Kauri Park day car park, and

• Trounson Kauri Park Campground.

Know before you go

• Dogs and hunting are not allowed in Trounson Kauri Park.

• Nearest petrol station is 9 km south at Kaihu, and 37 km north at Waimamaku.

• In strong winds, beware of falling branches.

Nature and conservation

The track offers an opportunity to experience the unique character of this ancient forest.

You can learn more about the kauri forest at an interpretation tent, and trees/plants are named along the walk

Kūkupa (New Zealand pigeon) are abundant and you are likely to hear and see them. North Island brown kiwi, fantails, pied tits and other forest birds are also resident with reintroduction of other birds planned for the future..

Kauri, taraire, kauri grass, kiekie, neinei and ferns dominate the vegetation.

Fallen kauri and the resulting light wells, clear streams and filmy ferns are among the interesting features of Trounson.

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.