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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: -38.87372, 174.84248. 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
- 4 hr 30 min
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Mount Damper and Waitaanga Conservation Area
- Dog access
- Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit. 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 historic logging tramline to Te Rerepahupahu Falls.
This DOC directory entry covers Waitaanga South Road to Te Rerepahupahu Falls Track in Taranaki, within Mount Damper and Waitaanga 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: 4 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.
Dog access
Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This track follows an historic logging tramline, firstly through regenerating kamahi, then silver beech and finally podocarp (totara, rata and kahikatea) forest in the Waitaanga Stream valley.
White poles mark the first part of the route over farmland to the bush edge.
In several places the track crosses the river, on swing bridges (cross one person at a time). The route goes through several grassy clearings and turns left up a ridge, then descends through virgin mixed podocarp forest to the valley floor.
Te Rerepahupahu Falls are 5 min upstream. There is a clearing beside the falls which can be used for camping. There are no other facilities.
From the falls, return to Waitaanga South Road via the same track. Or with prior transport arrangements, continue out on:
- Mt Damper to Te Rerepahupahu Falls Track (7 hr 30 min)
Getting there
Heading from Ahititi to Ohura on Waitaanga Road, turn off at South Waitaanga Road. A sign indicating the route is at the end of the road.
Know before you go
Private land
The 2.5 km farm track from the Waitaanga South Road to inside the Waitaanga Conservation Area is private land. Respect this and note that pest control programs are continually run on this property.
Dogs
Dogs are prohibited except where authorisation has been granted by DOC. People wishing to take a dog into this area need to get a permit from the local DOC office and have a current kiwi aversion certificate.
Avian awareness and avoidance training
To take dogs across private property, or tracks crossing farmland, you must get permission from the landowner.
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.
