Alternative Track
Koheroa Bypass
Northern Start
End of Lyons Rd, Mangatawhiri
Southern End
Skeet Rd, Mercer
Distance
17km
Time
5-6hr
Track Standard
Road margin   Footpath   Easy tramping track   Tramping track   Route   Mixed grade  
Potential Hazards
  • Vehicles on road or track
  • Farming operations Occasionally farm animals. Also temporary electric fences (can be stepped over).
  • Open drains
  • Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
  • Few water sources
Description
(North to South)

Follow Lyons Rd some 5.5km to SH2, turning right (W) onto Mangatawhiri Rd for the last 500m to SH2.
Keep well off the road shoulder on Mangatawhiri Rd and SH2 as these are extremely busy roads with a lot of traffic.
Head down the side of SH2 (no need to cross it) and cross a stile to take you under the bridge and onto the stopbank route.


Mangatawhiri River Track - 6.5km / 2hr
This track opens up a little-seen corner of New Zealand where you'll overlook from the stopbank, Dutch Polder-style agriculture. It follows the Mangatawhiri River from the SH2 bridge south-west to the exit at McIntyre Road.  

Day trippers beware: SH2 is a fast highway. It is best to drive across the bridge and pull off the highway onto Mangatawhiri Rd, then make your way back on foot, below the road-bridge. 
 
Follow the stopbank which is on the true left of the Mangatawhiri River – i.e. the left bank as you face downstream. There’s one low-lying area about halfway along which may flood, but only in very wet weather. After a 5km walk down the stopbank you’ll come to a drainage ditch about 10m wide. At this point the stopbank, and the track route, turns a right angle and follows the drainage ditch inland for about 1km before finishing at the McIntyre Road end, and a pump-station there for an Archimedes Screw which is part of the drainage.
 
If you want to see what this land was like before being modified, look across the drainage ditch and you'll see land run by the Auckland/Waikato Chapter of Fish and Game. It's natural swamp.
 
Mercer - 4.5km / 1.5hr
McIntyre Road is a little used road serving only a few houses.  It has views across the Fish and Game swampland, and a relaxing shady section before it reaches the junction with Kellyville Road. 
 
Note: after heavy rain and when the river is running high, this route may be under water - check conditions carefully and if water is high, use the Koheroa Bypass as an alternative.
 
After crossing the railway line follow the markers into the trees opposite and under the Southern Motorway bridge. 
Turn left/south and follow the marked route parallel to the motorway 1.5km to the Mercer Service Centre - where a petrol station, cafe and foodcourt are available for refreshements before you leave the Auckland region and enter Waikato.
 
Downloads

  Download Map 1 (map031)

  Download Map 2 (map032)

  Download Trail Notes (Mangatawhiri to Mercer)

Note: Map is indicative only
Toggle Track
Extra Info

Getting to/from the end
The Auckland region conveniently ends at the Mercer Service Centre, SH 1, Mercer.

It is well serviced by long haul bus companies such as: 
InterCity - P: 09 583 5780 - E: info@intercity.co.nz 
Northliner Express Coach Service - P: 09 307 5873 
Naked Bus - P: 0900 62533 (calls cost)

Accommodation
Mercer Motel - 2 Roose Rd, Mercer - P: 09 233 6555 - E: mercermotel70@gmail.com 
Has motel units.
They also offer free campsites and showers/toilets for Te Araroa walkers.

Refreshments 
Adjacent to the Mercer Motel is a tavern called Podge's Place with meals and refreshments.
Requirements
  • Keep to the track
  • Respect private land
  • Open daylight hours only
  • No dogs
  • No camping
  • No fires
Environment
  • Take all rubbish with you
Amenities
(Start)
  • Roadside parking only
Amenities
(On Route)
  • No amenities
Amenities
(End)
  • Full range of amenities at Mercer Service Centre
  • Carpark
  • Toilets
  • Shop
  • Phone
  • Accommodation at Mercer Motel
Closest Town(s)
Mercer
Managed by
Te Araroa Trust
Alternative Track
Koheroa Bypass
Northern Start
End of Lyons Rd, Mangatawhiri
Southern End
Skeet Rd, Mercer
Distance
17km
Time
5-6hr
Track Standard
Road margin   Footpath   Easy tramping track   Tramping track   Route   Mixed grade  
Description
(North to South)

Follow Lyons Rd some 5.5km to SH2, turning right (W) onto Mangatawhiri Rd for the last 500m to SH2.
Keep well off the road shoulder on Mangatawhiri Rd and SH2 as these are extremely busy roads with a lot of traffic.
Head down the side of SH2 (no need to cross it) and cross a stile to take you under the bridge and onto the stopbank route.


Mangatawhiri River Track - 6.5km / 2hr
This track opens up a little-seen corner of New Zealand where you'll overlook from the stopbank, Dutch Polder-style agriculture. It follows the Mangatawhiri River from the SH2 bridge south-west to the exit at McIntyre Road.  

Day trippers beware: SH2 is a fast highway. It is best to drive across the bridge and pull off the highway onto Mangatawhiri Rd, then make your way back on foot, below the road-bridge. 
 
Follow the stopbank which is on the true left of the Mangatawhiri River – i.e. the left bank as you face downstream. There’s one low-lying area about halfway along which may flood, but only in very wet weather. After a 5km walk down the stopbank you’ll come to a drainage ditch about 10m wide. At this point the stopbank, and the track route, turns a right angle and follows the drainage ditch inland for about 1km before finishing at the McIntyre Road end, and a pump-station there for an Archimedes Screw which is part of the drainage.
 
If you want to see what this land was like before being modified, look across the drainage ditch and you'll see land run by the Auckland/Waikato Chapter of Fish and Game. It's natural swamp.
 
Mercer - 4.5km / 1.5hr
McIntyre Road is a little used road serving only a few houses.  It has views across the Fish and Game swampland, and a relaxing shady section before it reaches the junction with Kellyville Road. 
 
Note: after heavy rain and when the river is running high, this route may be under water - check conditions carefully and if water is high, use the Koheroa Bypass as an alternative.
 
After crossing the railway line follow the markers into the trees opposite and under the Southern Motorway bridge. 
Turn left/south and follow the marked route parallel to the motorway 1.5km to the Mercer Service Centre - where a petrol station, cafe and foodcourt are available for refreshements before you leave the Auckland region and enter Waikato.
 
Potential Hazards
  • Vehicles on road or track
  • Farming operations Occasionally farm animals. Also temporary electric fences (can be stepped over).
  • Open drains
  • Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
  • Few water sources
Description
(North to South)

Follow Lyons Rd some 5.5km to SH2, turning right (W) onto Mangatawhiri Rd for the last 500m to SH2.
Keep well off the road shoulder on Mangatawhiri Rd and SH2 as these are extremely busy roads with a lot of traffic.
Head down the side of SH2 (no need to cross it) and cross a stile to take you under the bridge and onto the stopbank route.


Mangatawhiri River Track - 6.5km / 2hr
This track opens up a little-seen corner of New Zealand where you'll overlook from the stopbank, Dutch Polder-style agriculture. It follows the Mangatawhiri River from the SH2 bridge south-west to the exit at McIntyre Road.  

Day trippers beware: SH2 is a fast highway. It is best to drive across the bridge and pull off the highway onto Mangatawhiri Rd, then make your way back on foot, below the road-bridge. 
 
Follow the stopbank which is on the true left of the Mangatawhiri River – i.e. the left bank as you face downstream. There’s one low-lying area about halfway along which may flood, but only in very wet weather. After a 5km walk down the stopbank you’ll come to a drainage ditch about 10m wide. At this point the stopbank, and the track route, turns a right angle and follows the drainage ditch inland for about 1km before finishing at the McIntyre Road end, and a pump-station there for an Archimedes Screw which is part of the drainage.
 
If you want to see what this land was like before being modified, look across the drainage ditch and you'll see land run by the Auckland/Waikato Chapter of Fish and Game. It's natural swamp.
 
Mercer - 4.5km / 1.5hr
McIntyre Road is a little used road serving only a few houses.  It has views across the Fish and Game swampland, and a relaxing shady section before it reaches the junction with Kellyville Road. 
 
Note: after heavy rain and when the river is running high, this route may be under water - check conditions carefully and if water is high, use the Koheroa Bypass as an alternative.
 
After crossing the railway line follow the markers into the trees opposite and under the Southern Motorway bridge. 
Turn left/south and follow the marked route parallel to the motorway 1.5km to the Mercer Service Centre - where a petrol station, cafe and foodcourt are available for refreshements before you leave the Auckland region and enter Waikato.
 
Downloads

  Download Map 1 (map031)

  Download Map 2 (map032)

  Download Trail Notes (Mangatawhiri to Mercer)

Note: Map is indicative only
Toggle Track
Extra Info

Getting to/from the end
The Auckland region conveniently ends at the Mercer Service Centre, SH 1, Mercer.

It is well serviced by long haul bus companies such as: 
InterCity - P: 09 583 5780 - E: info@intercity.co.nz 
Northliner Express Coach Service - P: 09 307 5873 
Naked Bus - P: 0900 62533 (calls cost)

Accommodation
Mercer Motel - 2 Roose Rd, Mercer - P: 09 233 6555 - E: mercermotel70@gmail.com 
Has motel units.
They also offer free campsites and showers/toilets for Te Araroa walkers.

Refreshments 
Adjacent to the Mercer Motel is a tavern called Podge's Place with meals and refreshments.
Requirements
  • Keep to the track
  • Respect private land
  • Open daylight hours only
  • No dogs
  • No camping
  • No fires
Environment
  • Take all rubbish with you
Amenities
(Start)
  • Roadside parking only
Amenities
(On Route)
  • No amenities
Amenities
(End)
  • Full range of amenities at Mercer Service Centre
  • Carpark
  • Toilets
  • Shop
  • Phone
  • Accommodation at Mercer Motel
Closest Town(s)
Mercer
Managed by
Te Araroa Trust