Palmerston North to Poads Road

Walking this section

Introduction

 Three-day summary

• Day 1 to Moturimu Whare campsite, 31 km / 6.5–7.5 hours. Mostly on well-formed trails.
• Day 2 to Ian & Franks Hut/Tokomaru Shelter campsite, 15 km / 6–7 hours. All bushwalking with stream crossings.
• Day 3 to Makahika Outdoor Centre, 18 km / 8–9 hours. All bushwalking with multiple stream crossings.

Resupply options for the full Tararua section

The trail south after this section involves 3–6 days of hard tramping in the Tararua Range. You have the following options for resupply:

1. Resupply in Palmerston North for 7–9 days, or
2. Resupply in Palmerston North for 3 days, then either 
   • order online from Levin New World supermarket (NOT Woolworths) for delivery to Makahika Outdoor Pursuits Centre, 865 Gladstone Rd, RD 1, Levin 5571. See details in Accommodation section below;
   • send a bounce box from Palmerston North to Makahika Outdoor Pursuits Centre; 
   • detour from Makahika OPC to Levin (approx. 13km) to resupply for 4–6 days.

Warning: Weather in the Tararua Range is notorious for deteriorating rapidly. Be prepared for extreme conditions at all times. There can be gale-force winds and heavy rain and snow can fall in any season. Be prepared to wait out storms or for streams to subside after heavy rain. Do not cross swollen streams. Be sure to fill in the intentions book at the start of the track.

Te Marae o Hine - The Square to Old West Road – 8.5km / 1.5 - 3 hours

•  From the southern side of Te Marae o Hine - The Square, take the Fitzherbert Ave exit and head for the hills.
• Walking on the right side of Fitzherbert Ave, continue for 2km until you reach the entrance into the Victoria Esplanade gardens marked with the Te Araroa signage. 

  Follow the TA signage through the gardens until you reach the Esplanade Scenic Railway main station.

• Turn left into the carpark and walk down towards the Manawatū River.   

• Turn right and follow the main Manawatū River pathway up and over He Ara Kotahi pedestrian bridge which crosses the Manawatū River.

• After crossing the bridge, turn right and follow the sealed pathway for about 100 metres. 

• Turn left and follow the pathway which connects to Dairy Farm Road. Follow the shared path beside the road through the Fitzherbert Science Centres which ends at Tennant Drive.
• The path continues under the Tennant Drive bridge, beside Turitea Stream, then enters Bledisloe Park bush at the carpark adjacent to the stream. The Massey University Manawatū Campus lies to the south of the stream.
• The trail then follows the well-formed pathway through the bush before climbing up the stepped terrace with views over the picturesque Massey University Campus.
• Continue following the marked trail through open city parks, small bush reserves, fenced walkways and paddocks, to Old West Rd.
• Cross to the pathway on the other side of Old West Rd via the underpass at the Turitea Stream bridge. 

Old West Road to Black Bridge – 17.5km / 3.5 - 4.5 hours

• From the carpark on Old West Road follow the Upper Turitea Walkway for a short distance then turn right into Turitea Road. 
• Continue on the pathway beside Turitea Road. The trail descends an escarpment and enters a Green Corridor riparian planted area before returning to the road.
• Carefully cross the one-lane bridge and continue along the road for another 300m.
• Enter the gate on the left and continue along the path through the riparian reserve strip for 1km.
• The strip is a mix of developing and new riparian plantings by Green Corridors and Palmerston North City Council, one of several that you will walk through on this section of the trail.
•  Return to the road at the second one-lane bridge, turn left onto the bridge and walk a further 500m along Turitea Road. Turn right into Ngahere Park Road.
• About 100m down the road cross the bridge over Turitea Stream, turn left through the gate and follow the trail for 1.5km through another Green Corridor planting.
• Return to Turitea Rd, turn right and continue for 7km on a mix of gravel road and bush track then exiting onto Greens Road. Watch out for mountain bikes on this track. 
• At a high point on Greens Rd, leave the road and follow the off-road trail down the hill, crossing small bridges along the way. There is a picnic table, and freshwater nearby, at the lower end of this pathway.
• Re-join Greens Rd and after 220m turn left onto Kahuterawa Road. Warning: This is a busy country road with many vehicles travelling to and from the walking and mountain bike trails at the end of the road. Take care on this road.
• There is a campsite, toilet and freshwater stream at Kahuterawa Reserve about 1.5 km along Kahuterawa Rd.
• From here the road narrows and the seal ends. A further 3.5km on, the road ends at a large recreation carpark. There is a toilet and picnic tables, and camping is permitted.
• From the carpark, it is a 200m walk to Black Bridge, where Back Track starts.

Black Bridge to Moturimu Whare campsite – 8km / 2 - 2.5 hours

• Cross Black Bridge and follow Back Track for 2.5km to the top of the Arapuke Mountain Bike Park. Be prepared for mountain bike riders to appear at any time from either direction. It is a steady climb up, mainly through the native bush but with some good views. There is a toilet in the carpark at the top of Back Track.
• The trail continues south along Scotts Rd for 2km before dropping down to the left to the locked gate into Gordon Kear Forest.
• Climb over the stile on the left, skirt around the gate, cross the bridge over the Kahuterawa Stream and enter Gordon Kear Forest.
• Follow the forestry road for approx. 2km to where Palmerston North City Council has established an approved campsite for TA hikers. There is a shelter (Moturimu Whare) with sleeping platforms, toilet, picnic tables and nearby, a freshwater stream. There is no fee for this campsite.
• This is the only place where camping is permitted in Gordon Kear Forest. 

Burttons track: Moturimu Whare campsite to Ian & Franks Hut/Tokomaru Shelter - 15 km / 6 - 7 hours

• After leaving the campsite, take the Toko Corner Road, climbing steadily for approx. 3km where a picnic table and Department of Conservation signpost indicate the start of Burtton’s Track and entry into Tararua Forest Park.
• Last cellphone reception for 1.5  days at picnic table.
• The track descends through native forest to Tokomaru Valley. The trail crosses No.1 Stream, sidles downstream a short distance, then sidles above Tokomaru river to No 2 stream.
• After crossing No.2 Stream, the trail climbs uphill for 1 km past some mature rimu trees to 390m (approximately 40min). At the top, a large orange triangle indicates a sharp right turn west. The track now zig zags down 700 m to Burtton's whare site (20min). Have a break there at the picnic table provide by TAMT. Water is available from the river nearby. From here the track is the historical trail built by Jim Burtton and completed in 1915. Mostly benched and of good width through regrowth bush, it follows up the Tokomaru River passing some attractive open clearings. Remains of old bridges and other structures may be seen along the way. 
• After another 6 km you will have left Tararua Forest Park and will reach Ian & Franks Hut (aka Tokomaru Shelter) on the old Tokomaru Valley Road. There is a new toilet, picnic tables, sleeping platform (no mattresses) and a fresh water stream nearby. This hut and camping area is provided by Te Araroa Manawatū Trust (TAMT). There is no fee for this campsite but koha/donations for ongoing maintenance and development of the hut and camping area would be appreciated. You can donate to the Trust online. 

Mangahao-Makahika Track: Ian & Franks Hut/Tokomaru Shelter to Poads Rd – 21.5km / 1 day

• Continue south along Tokomaru Valley Rd for 2km until reaching an intersection. Turn left (south) onto Mangahao Rd
• Stay on the road for a further 2km, passing the Mangahao No 3 Reservoir on your left, before reaching the signposted start of the Mangahao-Makahika Track on the right. Note: the TA app map shows 'Arapeti Campsite' opposite No 3 Reservoir dam.  The campsite is for self-contained campervans. There is no toilet or any other facilities there and it is not recommended for TA hikers.
• The track re-enters the Tararua Forest Park and climbs 15m to a low spur where there is a track information sign, with distances and a map.
• The track continues in a southerly direction for 2.5km (passing some fine examples of large rimu trees that escaped the bushman’s axe), before descending and crossing three tributaries of Blackwood Stream (named after the magnificent Black Beech in the vicinity). 
• Note: This is the last drinking water until reaching the Makahika Stream, several hours walk ahead.
• The track continues south and west with an easy and gradual gain in elevation before eventually reaching a maximum of 671m above sea level on the Makahika Ridge.
• There are two clear lookout points along the high ridge. The Horowhenua Lookout is a small cleared area on the right of the trail, with seating. It is reached after three to four hours walking from the road end and gives a grand vista of Shannon, Horowhenua and Manawatū. Another hour further along, as the trail begins to descend, is Archey’s Lookout, signposted to the left of the trail, with great views of Kāpiti Island, the South Island, the Makahika Valley and Gladstone Road.
• The track soon drops off with a steady descent of 350m before reaching the terminus of the Makahika tramline formation, built in the early 20th century to extract logs from the forest.
• From here, the trail follows an easy gradient along the former tramline route with benched track and cuttings clearly visible in many places. The trail crosses the Makahika Stream multiple times until open clearings begin to appear amidst the native bush.
• These clearings become more frequent until reaching Mill Block clearing where there is a plaque commemorating the opening of this section of the track by the then Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Helen Clark on 23 February 2008. There is a toilet and picnic table at this location and a sidetrack down to a stream for freshwater. Camping is allowed here.
• Alternatively, continue for another 4-5km to reach the Makahika Outdoor Pursuits Centre where camping and track advice is available.
• Shortly after the campsite, the Tararua Forest Park boundary is reached where there is another track information sign.
• For the last half hour, the track follows a poled route along an unfenced right-of-way through private land and crosses the Makahika Stream, before reaching the stile at Gladstone Rd.
• Walk along Gladstone Rd for 2km to reach the Makahika Outdoor Pursuits Centre, then another 4.0km to reach Poads Road on the left. 
• Cross the Poads Road bridge and after 1.5km you will reach the carpark at the entrance to Tararua Forest Park.
• The section of the trail ahead of you involves 3-6 days through the forest and alpine terrain and includes many steep ascents and descents. It begins at 150m above sea level and reaches its highest point at Mount Crawford 1462m.
• Warning: Weather in the Tararua Ranges is notorious for deteriorating rapidly. Be prepared for extreme conditions at all times. There can be gale-force winds and heavy rain and snow can fall in any season. Be prepared to wait out storms or for streams to subside after heavy rain. Do not cross swollen streams. Be sure to fill in the intentions book at the start of the track.

Getting there

Track conditions

Potential hazards:

• Vehicles on road or track – stay alert for forest workers' and hunters' vehicles in Gordon Kear Forest
• Poisons and traps
• Forestry operations
• River crossings – never cross flooded rivers
• Small stream crossings
• Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
• Weather extremes

Burttons Track:

• NO horses, guns, vehicles, fires in forest
• Mountain bikes are allowed on this track and may be present
• Dogs MUST be on leash.

Transport

Levin (approximately 10 km detour off trail)

Getting there/away

• InterCity (to/from Wellington and Auckland) - P: 09 583 5780 - E: info@intercity.co.nz
• Capital Connection – Weekday train service to/from Wellington and Palmerston North
  Trains depart from Train Station – Oxford St, Levin (SH 1)

Local transport

• Metlinkwhare  – Route 291 bus/train between Waikanae and Levin - P: 0800 801 700 
• Levin Taxis - 154 Main South Road. Levin - P: 06 210 2000

Accommodation

Campsites

Moturimu Shelter - km 1,538.6 - free

Ian and Franks Hut - km 1,553.3 - free - donations accepted

Other Accommodation Information

• There is a campsite, toilet and freshwater stream at Kahuterawa Reserve (km 1,527) about 1.5 km along Kahuterawa Rd.
• Moturimu Whare shelter: 32km from Fitzherbert Bridge, Palmerston North. Palmerston North City Council has established an approved campsite, within the Gordon Kear commercial pine forest. This is the only place where camping is permitted in Gordon Kear Forest. A Whare (shelter), toilet, picnic tables and rubbish bin are provided.
• A freshwater stream is located nearby. Note: No open fires permitted - gas cooking only, on the concrete pad. Please fill in the intentions book even if you are not staying.
• Ian & Franks Hut/Tokomaru Shelter and camping area: 15 km south of Moturimu Whare, at the end of Burttons Track. There is a new toilet, picnic tables, bunk platform (no mattresses) and a fresh water stream nearby. Please fill in the intentions book even if you are not staying. Please take your rubbish with you. This hut and camping area is provided by Te Araroa Manawatū Trust (TAMT). Koha/donations for ongoing maintenance and development of the hut and campsite would be appreciated. You can donate to the Trust online.

Makahika OPC, 865 Gladstone Road, Levin.

• • Privately Owned Property. 
  • Sally & John Duxfield - Phone +64 217 25593. Please use text message.
    • Please do not leave phone messages.
    • Email: director@makahika.co.nz   

Season dates | We are set up from the 1st October, until the end of March. Outside of those dates, please text and see if we have capacity to host you.

• • Enter the double gates, veer right, and put up your tent outside the 'little Black Shed' and the white marquee.  This is your space.  The houses are out of bounds, please respect our space. 
  • The Outdoor Centre is out of bounds.  Please do not walk around the property, we have clients on site every day, Monday to Friday.
  • John and Sally live on the other side of the property so the tent site may not always be attended when you arrive.
  • This is our home.  Please be respectful of our animals, and the facilities that we provide.  We provide, shampoo, body wash, toilet paper. These supplies, plus the Portaloo (empty) and gas for the shower, cost us $230.00 per week.  So PLEASE be respectful and pay for your stay with us.
  • $20.00 per person per night - Cash Only.
  • No need to pre-book, first in, first served.

Site Information.

• • Approximately 15 small tent sites available on grass area, near the little black shed
  • Outdoor kitchen with fresh drinking water (All water at Makahika is suitable for drinking)
  • Portaloo
  • Hot Shower
  • Full cell phone coverage on site 
  • No Wi-Fi
  • Charging station for electronics.
  • Rubbish removal - you can leave your rubbish
  • Drop off and hold of drop boxes (no charge for storage)

• • Drop off for groceries from New World, Levin. DO NOT USE WOOLWORTHS
    • Delivery Address - Top House, 865 Gladstone Road, Levin 5571.
    • Please DO NOT order lots of COLD items as we do not have fridge space for your perishable food.

• • • If we are home, we will provide updated weather advice for Tararua Forest Park.  We suggest you use MetService Tararua Forest Park Forecast.  https://www.metservice.com/mountains-and-parks/national-parks/tararua-forest This is the most accurate for our region.

Levin

• Levin Kiwi Holiday Park (tent sites, cabins and motel units) - 38 Parker Ave, Levin - P: 06 368 3549 - E: stay@levinholidaypark.co.nz
• Motel accommodation is also available in Levin.

Food and supplies

• Woolworths Supermarket- Cnr Bristol and Stanley Sts, Levin
• New World Supermarket - 21 Bath St. Levin
• Pak ‘n Save Supermarket, 508 Queen St East, Levin