Dawson Falls walking tracks
Track category
Walking track
Description
Kapuni Loop Track to Dawson Falls
Time: 45min - 1hr (Loop Track)
Walk through mountain rainforest to the picturesque Dawson Falls.
The Kapuni Loop Track starts to the left of Manaia Road below the Dawson Falls Tourist Lodge, then follows the southern bank of the Kāpuni Stream through mountain rainforest to the top of Dawson Falls.
A steep side-track leads down to the base of the falls but a railed viewing point on the main track provides the best overall view of the waterfall. After the viewpoint, the track winds its way up to the road.
The walk then crosses the road and climbs back to the roadend through a forest of tree fuchsia/kotukutuku and fern.
Wilkies Pools
Wilkies Pools Loop Track
Time: 1 - 1 hr 30 min return
Walk through young forest then subalpine (goblin) forest to a series of pools, scoured from 20,000 year old lava.
The track begins from the car park 100m above the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre. Continue past the seat, cross the Kāpuni Stream and through scrub to Wilkies Pools. The rest of the loop leads via twin falls and bubbling springs. Continue past the power station water intake weir, cross the Kāpuni Stream and turn left at the seat to return to the Visitor Centre.
Take care when crossing the Kāpuni Stream as the river bank may be eroded, making access difficult. There is no bridge across this stream.
The Ridge Loop Track
Time: 1 - 1 hr 30 min return
This track meanders uphill through subalpine forest, crossing the Kāpuni Stream before looping around and returning to the Visitors Centre.
From the Visitor Centre walk down the access road to the Kapuni Track entrance. The Ridge track proper begins a few metres in, branching to the left. Cross the Kāpuni Stream and begin the climb. Continue left past the Waingongoro track turn off and descend to the next track intersection. Here you can turn left to complete the loop to the Visitor Centre or join the Wilkies Pools Loop track.
Getting there
Dawson Falls sits at the top end of Mania Road 14 km from Kaponga. The drive to the roadend is through scenic native forest. Kaponga is an easy drive west of Stratford and Eltham.
About the area
Located on the south eastern slopes of Mt Taranaki, in Egmont National Park.
Plan and prepare
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
Location map
Guides and commercial tourism providers