Four Sisters Walk
Track category
Short walk
Time:
10 min one way
Distance:
350 m
Description
The Four Sisters kauri trees
Introduction
Kauri trees occasionally create unusual growth forms. At times the trunks of two, three, four, five and even six trees can grow joined together at the base of the trees. In the Waipoua Forest is a group of trees known as the Four Sisters. You will see four Kauri trees, with evenly spaced slender trunks, arising from a large mound of pukahukahu. A similar growth can be seen in Trounson Kauri Park to the south.
Track description
The walk is a short, one-way loop that takes you through kauri and rimu vegetation to see the "Four Sisters", an impressive stand of four tall and graceful kauri trees growing extremely close together. A viewing platform encircles the trees and protects the habitat from any disturbance.
It is very important that you keep to the walking track at all times. Kauri trees have very sensitive surface roots, and foot traffic around the tree endangers their life span.
Getting there
The Four Sisters Walk is sign posted "Kauri Walks" from State Highway 12, which runs through the Waipoua Forest.
Security is maintained in this car park by a $2.00 donation during the day to the car park ambassador.
From the car park, there is a track sign for the three walks available for recreational walking, the "Four Sisters", "Te Matua Ngahere" and the "Yakas Kauri".
The track meanders through native bush bringing you to a central point from which you can access the three tracks. From here, the "Four Sisters" track is well signposted and located on the right hand side of this open space.
Plan and prepare
- Please note that there is no general store, petrol station or supermarket in Waipoua Forest.
- Nearest petrol station is 28 km south at Kaihu, , and 20 km north at Waimamaku
- Nearest toilets are located at the Tane Mahuta carpark.
- In strong winds, please beware of falling branches.
- Please ensure your footwear is clean before entering the bush, and is cleaned before visiting another site. This is to help prevent the spread of the kauri dieback disease Phytophthora taxon Agathis (PTA)
- Permits are required for dogs and hunting on conservation land, these can be acquired free of charge from the Kauri Coast Office