Leyland O'Brien Track
Tramping track
Time:
2 hr one way to the North-South junction
Distance:
6.3 km one way to the North-South junction
Getting there
Located within the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, this walk begins at the end of Whakamarama Road, just north of Tauranga off State Highway 2.
About the area
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park has a number of historic mining and kauri logging sites within its boundaries. The park also features several popular tramping tracks.
Description
From Whakamarama Road end (by the bulldozer blade) the track descends down for 100m to the junction with the Leyland O’Brien Tramline Track and Ngamarama Track. Take the left track, which follows the old Leyland O’Brien tramline besides the headwaters of the Ngamuwahine River. This section is flat. After about 1 hour 30mins the river is crossed and the tramline climbs slightly to the junction with the Ngamuwahine track. (It is 1 hour 30 mins to Ngamuwahine Road.)
The tramline continues southeastward for a further 30mins to meet up with the North-South Track. To the north, the Te Tuhi Track is 3 hours and to the south is the Henderson Tramlines and the Kaimai Summit Track. It is 4 hours to SH 29.
Plan and prepare
What to expect on a tramping track:
- Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
- Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
- Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
- Tramping/hiking boots required
Please consult a topographic map.