Plan & prepare

Access into the rugged Aorangi Range and the network of tracks within Aorangi Forest Park is gained via several major streams.

Getting there

The western side of the southern section of the Aorangi Forest Park is the most popular because of the ease of access by road and on foot.

Travelling from the south, turn right off SH2 at Featherston in the Wairarapa and drive east along SH53 to Martinborough. Travelling from the north, turn left at the south end of Greytown and follow the road to Martinborough. From Martinborough, travel south along the Martinborough-Lake Ferry Road for about 50 minutes and then turn off onto the Cape Palliser Road.

View of the Kaikoura mountains from
the Aorangi Forest Park

Legal public access to the western portion of the park is via the Te Kopi field base; through the Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve via Whakatomotomo Rd, and the Mangatoetoe Stream along Cape Palliser Road. Legal access to the eastern side can be gained via Haurangi Rd, White Rock Rd and Kaiwaka Rd.

The road further along to Cape Palliser is threatened by erosion below the cliffs at Whatarangi, so drive with caution.

There are numerous other routes into the park for tramping, hunting or shorter trips up the valleys. Access into the Forest Park via private land is by permission from the landowner only.

Dogs

Dogs are permitted in the Forest Park, but must be under the control of the owner at all times. Access for dogs into the Park via private land is by permission from the landowner only.