Where: 25 minutes drive from Tauranga, on Mount Road (off Oropi Road).
Walking Times:
| Summit Track |
90 minutes return |
| Rimu Loop Track |
30 minutes return |
| Mountain Road to Whataroa Waterfall |
60 minutes one way |
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At 640 metres above sea level, Mount Otanewainuku offers some spectacular views.
Much of the mountain is covered in virgin forest and bird life is prolific. Podocarps, especially rimu, are common and tawa, kamahi and rewarewa form the canopy.
Maori legend says Tutanekai, lover of Hinemoa, leapt from the summit to escape his Rotorua enemies.
All three walks start at the small car park, where there is also a shelter, toilet and picnic area.
The summit track is reasonably steep in parts, but the breathtaking view from the top is worth the climb. A tower built by Army Territorials offers panoramic views from East Cape to Mount Tarawera and Rotorua, and across the Mamaku Plateau to Mount Ruapehu. |
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The Rimu Loop Track starts from the opposite side of the road near the car park. It is a gently graded walk, with some impressively large rimu and tawa.
If you’d like to turn this into a longer walk a well-marked route branches off the Rimu Loop Track after 15 minutes and undulates through the forest to the Whataroa Falls. Explore this pristine stream, with its cascades and pools, before returning the same way.
For the seriously-fit, beyond the waterfall a track continues north to the main ridge track which leads to Otawa Scenic Reserve. From here it is around 18.5 kilometres (9 hours) to Te Puke Quarry Road.
A detailed map of this track is available from the Department of Conservation in Tauranga, at 253 Chadwick Road, Greerton.
The Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust is working with the Department of Conservation to restore a healthy kiwi population to the Otanewainuku forest. Dogs pose a real threat to kiwi.
No dogs or fires are allowed in the Park without a permit.