Waoku Coach Road Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Follow the gentle incline of an historic coach road through the heart of the Mataraua Forest.

This DOC directory entry covers Waoku Coach Road Track in Northland, within Waimā & Mataraua Forests. 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: 12 hr 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

Dogs with a DOC permit for recreational hunting or management purposes only. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

The track follows an historic coach road through the highland plateau of the Mataraua Forest and into the Waimā Forest.

It's a good multi-day tramp with areas that are suitable for camping 100 m along from the junction of the Waimā Main Range Track (E1653443, N6065745) and also at the Honeymoon Clearing (E1657068, N6066534).

Getting there

From the south: From Dargaville follow SH12 north for 45 km, then turn into Marlborough Road. Follow this for 10 km, then turn into Waoku Road and continue to a car park at the start of the track. From the car park, four wheel drives can continue for another 4 km to a parking area and locked gates where the foot only access starts.

Know before you go

Be prepared for a back country track

The track is isolated and challenging − trampers need to be prepared and experienced in the backcountry. The track may be damaged with slips, flooding or fallen trees from severe weather. Be prepared to turn back if needed.

Nature and conservation

The track passes through mature podocarp and taraire dominated forest, as well as some of the last remaining strongholds of North Island kōkako. Intensive predator control since the 1990s has brought this population back from the brink of extinction and it is now used to supply translocations to other forest populations.

The northern section of the Waoku Coach Road Track, from the end on Waoku Road near Waimā to the intersection with the Waimā Main Range Track, is closed due to long-term logging operations.

The southern section of the Waoku Coach Road Track, from the end on Waoku Road near Tutamoe to the intersection with the Waimā Main Range Track, is still open.

History and culture

The coach road was built in the late 1800s and early 1900s by Scottish stone masons and was once the main route linking the Kaipara and Hokianga districts. It's now a paper road inaccessible to vehicles.

Settlement in the area didn't work out due to the harsh weather, high rainfall and isolation.

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.