Waitaanga South Road to Te Rerepahupahu Falls Track
Tramping track
Time:
4 hr 30 min
Getting there
Heading from Ahititi to Ohura on Highway 40, turn off at South Waitaanga Road. A sign indicating the route is at the end of the road.
About the area
Waitaanga Forest is unusual in that it contains the only remnant silver beech stand in Taranaki. In addition, poorly drained parts support a number of other regionally rare plants such as giant astelias, dracophyllum, (neinei) and swamp sedges. The forest is also home to the short tailed bat and the endangered dactylanthus taylori (wood rose).
Description
This track follows an historic logging tramline, firstly through regenerating kamahi, then silver beech and finally podocarp (totara, rata and kahikatea) forest in the Waitaanga Stream valley.
White poles mark the first part of the route over farmland to the bush edge.
In several places the track crosses the river, on swing bridges (cross one person at a time). The route goes through several grassy clearings and turns right up a ridge, then descends through virgin mixed podocarp forest to the valley floor.
Te Rerepahupahu Falls are 5 min upstream from the last wire bridge. A basic campsite is located 15min downstream from the falls.
From the campsite you can return to Waitaanga South Rd, or with prior transport arrangements:
- (a) continue out to Tatu Mine/Waro Rd entrance (4 hr).
- (b) continue out to the Mt Damper Falls carpark (7 hr 30 min).
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