Walk Details
NZ Walking Routes > Bay of Plenty > Whakatane - Opotiki - Kawerau > Opotiki > Waimana Valley Track
Waimana Valley Track
- Location
- At the northern end of Te Urewera National Park.
- Description
There are a variety of walks, tracks and huts.
Ohora Hut track = Time: 3 – 5 hr
Just inside the park boundary (opposite the old ranger station site) on Matahi Valley Road a sign directs you to the start of the Pohatu Track. Follow the Orouamananui Stream before reaching a steep climb to the saddle. The track then descends to the left to reach Pohatu Stream. Walk downstream until you reach the Pohatu-Ohora Stream intersection and continue downstream from here to reach Ohora Hut. The hut has 19 bunks and is located on the true left of the Ohora Stream.
Onepu Hut track = Time: 4 – 6 hrDrive 1.5 km past Ogilvies Bridge to reach the start of the Onepu Track. Cross the Tauranga River at the signpost and continue up onto a blackberry covered terrace that leads through to the bush edge. Follow the marked track up and along the ridge tops until the track drops down to meet Onepu Hut (7 bunks).
All Weather Track Time: 30 minReturn to the Ogilvies Bridge where the all-weather track begins at the back of the camping area on the western side of the road. The track is marked to where it meets the main track at the rear of the blackberry terrace.
Te Waiiti Stream via Te Pona a Pita Track = Time: 1 – 2 hrThis track is well formed and starts from the car park at the southern end of Ogilvies Bridge. Te Pona a Pita Track is suitable for all ages and the less fit. It begins with a graded climb around the side of Ogilvies Ridge. A seat there provides a welcome rest stop and an excellent view down to the Matahi area of the valley. From here the track sidles down into Te Waiiti Valley where Te Waiiti Stream flats provide excellent picnic and camping sites.
Ogilvies Ridge Loop Track = Time: 4 – 6 hrFollow Te Pona a Pita Track until you reach the lookout and seat on Ogilvies Ridge. From here take the track heading south up Ogilvies Ridge to meet the Tawai Ridge Track. Follow the ridge track west as it leads down to Matahi Valley Road and return to the carpark by walking 2 km back along the road. This track takes you through the middle of the Otamatuna core area which is part of the Northern Te Urewera Ecosystem Restoration Project and is home to a successfully recovering kokako population. If walking this track in still, mild weather, you are more than likely to hear or see kokako.
Koaunui Hut via Otamatuna and Tawai Ridge tracks Time: 4 – 5 hrThe track starts at the marked entrance, 2 km past Ogilvies Bridge on the eastern side of the road. For the first hour the track climbs steeply until it nears the top of the ridge. The track continues over the ridge and curves southwards along the ridgeline between the Waimana and Te Waiiti Valleys until the track reaches a fork. The turnoff to the right leads to the Ngutuoha Stream and the Lions Education Centre (2 hours). A little over 1 km past this turnoff there is another turnoff on the left which leads to Koaunui Hut (18 bunks). Follow the track down to Te Waiiti Stream and continue downstream for 1 km to reach the hut (on the true right).
Koaunui Hut via “The Wall” Track = Time: 3 – 4 hrThis is the more common route used to reach Koaunui Hut. From the Lion’s Education Centre walk up the Ngutuoha Stream until you reach the marked turnoff that climbs steeply up “The Wall” Track to reach Tawai Ridge. At the track junction, continue south to reach the Koaunui Hut turnoff (see above).
Tawai Ridge Track to Otapukawa Stream = Time: 3 – 5 hrContinue past the Koaunui Hut turnoff, following the track along the ridge which leads down to the Otapukawa Stream. From here it is another 3 km downstream to the Matahi Valley Road end or 800 metres upstream to the Otapukawa Hut.
- Amenities
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- Birds
- Huts
- Plant Life
- Tramping
- Source
- www.opotiki.com
- Discussion
- Start a discussion on this walk