Tumanako Loop Track

Located in Boundary Stream area in the Hawke’s Bay region

This family-friendly walks goes through forest with a variety of trees, birdlife and logging history.

The Tūmanako Loop Track is great for children. It offers a variety of forest types, birdlife and viewpoints with evidence of pioneer logging history and subsequent natural forest recovery of kāmahi, tawa, tawhairaunui/red beech and tawhairauriki/black beech forests.

A variety of birds including pītoitoi/North Island robin, pōpokotea/whitehead, tītitipounamu/rifleman, kōkako and korimako/bellbird live here. Sometimes you can spot an inquisitive kākā and, if you’re lucky, you may hear a kōkako. Kārearea/New Zealand falcon are frequently seen from vantage points along the track.

Keep your eyes open for wētā motels along the track.

Rare plants such as neinei, yellow-flowered mistletoe and ngutu kākā/kākābeak may be seen. 

Boundary Stream Mainland Island is located approximately one hour's drive north of Napier. Follow State Highway 2 to Tutira, turn left at Tutira onto Matahorua Road then left onto Pohokura Road.

The final section of the drive is on an unsealed road. It is narrow, winding and steep in places. Stay left, keep headlights on, and drive to the conditions.

Predator control

  • Boundary Stream Mainland Island has extensive predator control. This protects rare native birds like kiwi, kōkako and kākā. Do not disturb traps and bait stations.
  • There is a network of predator traps throughout the area, marked by pink and blue triangles. Follow the orange triangles to stay on the walking track.

Caves and holes

This is a limestone area and there are caves, shafts and sinkholes off the track. They are unmarked and may be unstable.

If you discover an unmarked cave, shaft or sinkhole near a track, stay back and report it to DOC.

Wasps and ongaonga

There are wasps and ongaonga (native stinging nettle) in this area. We recommend carrying allergy medication and avoiding touching the ongaonga.

Report wasp nests and any large ongaonga plants to DOC.

Weather

This area can get very hot in summer. It can snow in winter. There can be high wind, rain and cold temperatures at any time of year.

Check the weather forecast before you visit.

Be ready for any weather by packing a waterproof rain jacket, warm layers and sun protection.

You can see native birds throughout Boundary Stream. The haunting song of kokako can often be heard at the Tumanako carpark, and you may even lucky to catch a glimpse of this special New Zealand bird.