Waoku Coach Road Track

Located in Waima & Mataraua Forests in the Northland region

Follow the gentle incline of an historic coach road through the heart of the Mataraua Forest.

The track follows an historic coach road through the highland plateau of the Mataraua Forest and into the Waima Forest.

It's a good multi-day tramp with areas that are suitable for camping 100 m along from the junction of the Waima Main Range Track (E1653443, N6065745) and also at the Honeymoon Clearing (E1657068, N6066534).  

From the south: From Dargaville follow SH12 north for 45 km, then turn into Marlborough Road. Follow this for 10 km, then turn into Waoku Road and continue to a car park at the start of the track. From the car park, four wheel drives can continue for another 4 km to a parking area and locked gates where the foot only access starts.

Be prepared for a back country track

The track is isolated and challenging − trampers need to be prepared and experienced in the backcountry. The track may be damaged with slips, flooding or fallen trees from severe weather. Be prepared to turn back if needed. 

The track passes through mature podocarp and taraire dominated forest, as well as some of the last remaining strongholds of North Island kokako. Intensive predator control since the 1990s has brought this population back from the brink of extinction and it is now used to supply translocations to other forest populations.

The northern section of the Waoku Coach Road Track, from the end on Waoku Road near Waima to the intersection with the Waima Main Range Track, is closed due to long-term logging operations.

The southern section of the Waoku Coach Road Track, from the end on Waoku Road near Tutamoe to the intersection with the Waima Main Range Track, is still open.

The coach road was built in the late 1800s and early 1900s by Scottish stone masons and was once the main route linking the Kaipara and Hokianga districts. It's now a paper road inaccessible to vehicles.

Settlement in the area didn't work out due to the harsh weather, high rainfall and isolation.