Auckland

Govan Wilson to Dome - 15km / 6-7hr

Please note: this track crosses private forestry land in the Waiwhiu Valley. Open daylight hours only - no camping, fires, dogs. horses, vehicles.

Walk 3km to the end of Govan Wilson Rd to the marked steps up onto the track.

Once up the steps from Govan Wilson Road, follow the clay 4WD track (it passes a private home so please keep to the track). Enjoy the views & the rusty old bus  while following along the ridge to the junction with Conical Peak Rd. Take the right fork and continue on this 4WD track until reaching a turnoff on the left onto a narrow bush track in DOC’s Totara Scenic Reserve.

Follow the marked bush track which eventually descends steeply down the ridge into the Waiwhiu Valley. At the bottom of the hill, the track turns right across a small creek and follows the true right of the Waiwhiu Stream for approximately 1.3km. At this point, the track crosses the Stream (take care not to slip) to enter private forestry land.

The track joins the Waiwhiu Valley Rd (a private forestry road).  Turn right and follow the road for some 300m; turn left into a clay 4WD road (Fisher Road - but sign keeps disappearing) which climbs steeply through pines. Just over the brow of the hill, the track turns off the 4WD road (easy to miss) into the pines for a short climb to the ridgeline and DOC’s Dome Forest. 

This narrow bush track now follows along the ridgeline through attractive podocarp and broadleaf forest with glimpses of the surrounding countryside and coast.  

The track climbs to the Dome trig. Then there’s a few more ups and downs along the ridge, including a steep scramble around large rocks, on the way to the Lookout platform with views across the Mahurangi Peninsula to the Hauraki Gulf. The track then descends 1km on upgraded walkway & steps to the Dome Cafe carpark and SH1. The Dome Cafe welcomes walkers - however please take care to ensure you are free of mud (take boots off and wipe yourselves down if muddy) before entering.

Dome to Moirs Hill - 16km / 4-5hr

Warning: Forestry & farming operations

Immediately across SH1 from the Tearooms is Kraack Rd. Follow this road up to a forestry gate. Pass the gate, head along a SW forestry road. Take a left down another track heading southwards then cross westwards through regenerating native bush. This is thinly marked through to Smyth Rd.

Just east of the transmission tower, there is a Te Araroa-signed, 4WD track (Barkers Rd) that heads 1.7km south down to Ahuroa Rd. 
Note: stay on the clay/grass track. The gravel one you glimpse occasionally is a neighbouring forestry road. There are very few markers as there is just pine and gorse for much of the way.

Dunns Ridge Track - 2.5km / 1hr

Warning: Farming operations & predator control - please do not freedom camp in this area

From the Ahuroa - J Tolhopf Road intersection, Head south 1km down J Tolhopf Rd until you pass a rural residential subdivision, then reach a widened area of sealed road with angle parking. Enter through the gate just past the carpark, and follow the fenceline up and over the ridge to the bushline. 

From this bushline, follow orange markers across and through part of Dunn’s Bush (a QEII reserve, with loop tracks back to Ahuroa Rd) until you pass the “Sugarloaf” rock formation. A stile is in place if you want to climb up to this very peaceful & picturesque spot with beautiful views across the valley and out to the coast.
Otherwise keep heading SE on the ridge and follow markers through the farm paddocks. The route briefly joins a farm track then leaves it again to follow the fenceline - please stick strictly to the marked route and follow the fenceline down and over stiles to Remiger Rd.

Follow Remiger Rd 1km to the intersection with Ahuroa Rd - directly opposite you is a swingbridge onto the Puhoi Track.

• Vehicles on road or track
• Poisons & traps
• Farming operations
• Forestry operations
• River crossings - Never cross flooded rivers
• Small stream crossings
• Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
• Few water sources between Dome and Puhoi

Govan Wilson to Dome - 15km / 6-7hr

Please note: this track crosses private forestry land in the Waiwhiu Valley. Open daylight hours only - no camping, fires, dogs. horses, vehicles.

Walk 3km to the end of Govan Wilson Rd to the marked steps up onto the track.

Once up the steps from Govan Wilson Road, follow the clay 4WD track (it passes a private home so please keep to the track). Enjoy the views & the rusty old bus  while following along the ridge to the junction with Conical Peak Rd. Take the right fork and continue on this 4WD track until reaching a turnoff on the left onto a narrow bush track in DOC’s Totara Scenic Reserve.

Follow the marked bush track which eventually descends steeply down the ridge into the Waiwhiu Valley. At the bottom of the hill, the track turns right across a small creek and follows the true right of the Waiwhiu Stream for approximately 1.3km. At this point, the track crosses the Stream (take care not to slip) to enter private forestry land.

The track joins the Waiwhiu Valley Rd (a private forestry road).  Turn right and follow the road for some 300m; turn left into a clay 4WD road (Fisher Road - but sign keeps disappearing) which climbs steeply through pines. Just over the brow of the hill, the track turns off the 4WD road (easy to miss) into the pines for a short climb to the ridgeline and DOC’s Dome Forest. 

This narrow bush track now follows along the ridgeline through attractive podocarp and broadleaf forest with glimpses of the surrounding countryside and coast.  

The track climbs to the Dome trig. Then there’s a few more ups and downs along the ridge, including a steep scramble around large rocks, on the way to the Lookout platform with views across the Mahurangi Peninsula to the Hauraki Gulf. The track then descends 1km on upgraded walkway & steps to the Dome Cafe carpark and SH1. The Dome Cafe welcomes walkers - however please take care to ensure you are free of mud (take boots off and wipe yourselves down if muddy) before entering.

Dome to Moirs Hill - 16km / 4-5hr

Warning: Forestry & farming operations

Immediately across SH1 from the Tearooms is Kraack Rd. Follow this road up to a forestry gate. Pass the gate, head along a SW forestry road. Take a left down another track heading southwards then cross westwards through regenerating native bush. This is thinly marked through to Smyth Rd.

Just east of the transmission tower, there is a Te Araroa-signed, 4WD track (Barkers Rd) that heads 1.7km south down to Ahuroa Rd. 
Note: stay on the clay/grass track. The gravel one you glimpse occasionally is a neighbouring forestry road. There are very few markers as there is just pine and gorse for much of the way.

Dunns Ridge Track - 2.5km / 1hr

Warning: Farming operations & predator control - please do not freedom camp in this area

From the Ahuroa - J Tolhopf Road intersection, Head south 1km down J Tolhopf Rd until you pass a rural residential subdivision, then reach a widened area of sealed road with angle parking. Enter through the gate just past the carpark, and follow the fenceline up and over the ridge to the bushline. 

From this bushline, follow orange markers across and through part of Dunn’s Bush (a QEII reserve, with loop tracks back to Ahuroa Rd) until you pass the “Sugarloaf” rock formation. A stile is in place if you want to climb up to this very peaceful & picturesque spot with beautiful views across the valley and out to the coast.
Otherwise keep heading SE on the ridge and follow markers through the farm paddocks. The route briefly joins a farm track then leaves it again to follow the fenceline - please stick strictly to the marked route and follow the fenceline down and over stiles to Remiger Rd.

Follow Remiger Rd 1km to the intersection with Ahuroa Rd - directly opposite you is a swingbridge onto the Puhoi Track.

  Download Map 1 (map023)

  Download Map 2 (map024)

  Download Map 3 (map025)

  Download Trail Notes (Govan Wilson to Puhoi Valley)