Loading outdoor place details…
Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park
The Te Pua-a-Tāne Circuit is the ultimate Whirinaki challenge for the more adventurous.
Distance
78.7 km
Walking time
5 days
Difficulty
Advanced
Dogs
Allowed — check local rules
Wheelchair access
Not marked friendly
Current status
Weather outlook
Issued 11 Oct 2026, 11:03 am
11 October 2026
Showers becoming widespread this morning, possibly heavy, clearing to fine spells by early evening. The odd shower west of Tauranga at night. Northwesterlies developing this morning, dying out early evening.
12 October 2026
A few showers. Northwesterlies developing for a time in the afternoon and evening.
13 October 2026
A few showers. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.
14 October 2026
A few showers. Northwesterlies developing in the morning.
15 October 2026
Rain, clearing in the evening. Northerlies, turning westerly 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.
Time: 5 hr Distance: 16 km Begin at the River Road car park and travel towards the Whirinaki Waterfall, then Vern’s Camp , and stay overnight at Central Whirinaki Hut.
Time: 10 hr Distance: 17.7 km From Central Whirinaki Hut continue south along the Whirinaki River. The track will fork at the Taumutu bridge. Rather than crossing the bridge, keep left and follow the Taumutu Stream to Upper Whirinaki Hut . From Upper Whirinaki Hut its another 6 hr 30 min (11 km) to Upper Te Hoe Hut where you’ll stop for night two.
Time: 8 hr 30 min Distance: 15 km The track climbs about 300 m before dropping down to the Te Hoe bluffs on the way to Central Te Hoe Hut. Cross the Te Hoe suspension bridge for a lunch break at Central Te Hoe Hut – Whirinaki’s southernmost hut. After lunch, backtrack across the suspension bridge and carry on north for 3 hr 30 min (8.5 km) to Mangakahika Hut for night three. Note: Parallel Creek bridge is closed due to cyclone damage in 2017. The bridge is 10 minutes north of Central Te Hoe Hut along the track to Mangakahika Hut. A temporary marked track has been added for people to cross. Cross the creek below the bridge or where it is low and safe to do so. Check the weather forecast for rain or previous rainfall, as this will cause the stream to rise rapidly.
Time: 6 hr 30 min Distance: 17 km On day four the track climbs up over a saddle before dropping down to Rogers Hut 3 hr 30 min (8.5 km). At Rogers take the track along the Moerangi Stream towards Moerangi Hut . Its another 3 hr (9 km) of easy walking from Rogers to Moerangi and night number four.
Time: 4 hr 30 min Distance: 13 km The final day is 4 hr 30 min (13 km) of walking and a big climb up and over the Moerangi saddle (955 m). The track travels downhill from the saddle into lowland podocarp forest. Finish where you started at the River Road car park.
Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park is 90 km south east of Rotorua. Turn off SH5 onto SH38. At Te Waiti, turn into Minginui Road, then into River Road (gravel) at Minginui village. Use this location on Google Maps to help find your way there.
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
Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit.
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.
