09 October 2026
Fine for most, apart from the odd shower in the afternoon and early evening, but cloudy with showers about the eastern ranges. Easterlies.
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Walking track
Whanganui National Park
Originally a six-foot horse and cart route, then a tramping track, the Kaiwhakauka Track is a rewarding addition to the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trails.
Distance
16.26 km
Difficulty
Advanced
Dogs
Not allowed
Wheelchair access
Not marked friendly
Current status
Weather outlook
Issued 9 Oct 2026, 10:24 am
09 October 2026
Fine for most, apart from the odd shower in the afternoon and early evening, but cloudy with showers about the eastern ranges. Easterlies.
10 October 2026
Partly cloudy with a few showers developing in the afternoon. Northeasterlies, dying out in the morning.
11 October 2026
A few showers. Northeasterlies, turning northwesterly in the morning.
12 October 2026
Partly cloudy. Light winds.
13 October 2026
Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Westerlies developing in the morning.
Regional guidance only; elevation and terrain can produce different conditions.
Explore the area
Explore the track route and surrounding area before you set out.
The Kaiwhakauka Track is a section of the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail and intersects with the Mangapurua Track. The tracks can be walked or biked from either direction and when combined with a jet boat ride on the Whanganui River create a unique tramping or biking and boating circuit. See our friends at Ngā Haerenga/Great Rides of New Zealand for a trail map. Whakahoro Campsite to Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka Track junction Whakahoro to Whanganui National Park boundary Time: 2 hr walking, 1 hr cycling Distance: 5.5 km Follow the Kaiwhakauka Track along a farm road through Rētaruke Station (private land), following the true right of the Kaiwhakauka Stream to the large stock and pedestrian bridge. The track leads up the valley through a mixture of regenerating bush and farmland to the Whanganui National Park boundary. Care should be taken to leave gates as found and not to disturb stock. Whanganui National Park boundary to Mosley’s Time: 1 hr 30 min walking,45 min cycling Distance: 4.4 km Walking from the park boundary you come to the old Mosley homestead site near the Waione Stream. The open clearing here lends itself well to camping. A shelter with water and a toilet is located here. Mosley’s to Mangapurua/Kaiwhakauka junction Time: 2 hr 30 min walking, 1 hr 15 min cycling Distance: 5.7 km The track continues towards Cootes’ homestead (private land), crossing many small bridged side streams with only a few small open flats. From here the steep climb to the junction passes through relatively undisturbed mixed tawa/podocarp forest for about 3.2 km to reach the junction of the old Kaiwhakauka and Mangapurua roads. From here you can: return the way you came join the Mangapurura Track and head out to Ruatītī Road or head the other way on the Mangapurua Track and go past the Bridge to Nowhere to the Mangapurua Landing.
Multi-use track The Kaiwhakauka Track is shared by trampers and mountain bikers. Weather conditions and slips These tracks are recommended as dry-weather experiences. The unmetalled track surface is extremely slippery and muddy in wet conditions. Check the weather before your trip. If there's been heavy rain, we recommend waiting a couple fine days to let the track firm up. Slippery conditions may be experienced at times, particularly during winter and early spring. Areas are prone to landslides at any time of year. Fires Fires are not permitted. Water During dry periods, take extra water as shelters and streams may be dry or stagnant. Treat or boil all water before drinking. Wasps Wasps are a known hazard and are particularly common from January until May. Carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings. Communications This area is remote with no cell phone coverage. It is recommended that you carry an emergency alert device (eg PLB/Spot tracker). Cyclists Take care on downhill sections. Look out for and be considerate of others. Signs will advise when to dismount your bike. Walk with your bike between you and the fall hazard. Take care while passing and watch out for falling rocks. You may need to lift or carry your bike in places. We recommend riders travel with two or more people as it is easier to pass bikes to each other. Dogs No dogs are permitted on the track. Hunting Hunting (with a permit) is allowed in most places throughout the year. Check the DOC website for exclusion zones and dates, and special conditions for hunting dogs.
Apart from the 10-bunk bunkroom at Whakahoro Campsite, there are no huts along the track. We recommend camping at sites with toilets. There is a charge for staying overnight at the Whakahoro Campsite, but other campsites are free. Do not camp under pine trees – tree limbs, and even entire trees, can fall unexpectedly. Whakahoro Campsite This is a Great Walk campsite in the Whanganui area with 36 non-powered tent sites. In the Great Walks season (1 October 2023 – 30 April 2024) bookings are required Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2023 – 30 September 2023) bookings are not required. Fires are not permitted at any time. Boil, filter or treat water – water from tap is not treated.
The Kaiwhakauka Track and Whakahoro Campsite are reached from Oio Road off State Highway 4, turning off at Owhango.
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . We recommend trying these online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel
No dogs.
Track information, access and weather can change. Confirm current alerts and land-manager information close to departure, tell someone your plans, and carry equipment appropriate for the route and conditions.