Yakas Kauri Walk
Track category
Short walk
Time:
40 min one way
Distance:
1.7 km
Description
Introduction
Kauri trees
Yakas Kauri is the 7th largest kauri tree in New Zealand. Nicholas Yakas became witness to many marvels of the Waipoua Forest whilst he was a young man and hot in the pursuit of Kauri gum. It wasn't until 1966 when Yakas was asked if he knew of other Kauri trees in the Waipoua Forest that were as big as or larger than Tane Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere, that he decided to share some of his secrets.
So accompanied by Tudor Collins of Warkworth, (one of New Zealand's top photographers of native bush scenery of that era), Sir Alfred Reed a publisher and author and a bush-lover, and Mrs. Ellen Wech set out and rediscovered the kauri tree. It was in 1968 when the name "Yakas Kauri" was officially accepted by the general public when Tudor Collins had one of his coloured photos of the tree published in a full page display in the weekly news of July 29 1968 edition. It was simply captioned "Yakas" tree and has since stuck.
Measurements
Trunk Girth 12.29 m
Trunk Height 12.04 m
Total Height 43.09 m
Trunk Volume 134.2 m3
Track description
The track meanders through native bush bringing you to a central point from which you can access the three tracks. From here, the "Yakas Kauri" track is well sign posted and located directly on the left of this open space.
The walk leads you through kauri type vegetation for 35 minutes before you arrive at the Cathedral Grove (a large group of kauri). After the Cathedral Grove, it is then a 2-minute walk to the Yakas tree.
From here, you return to the car park the way you came.
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 trees endangers their life span.
Getting there
The Yakas Kauri 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 "Yakas Kauri", "Te Matua Ngahere" and the "Four Sisters".
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 car park.
- 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.
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