Nutshell

• Location: The Blade, Whakamarama, Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park
• Access: Ngamarama track – car park at the end of Whakamarama Road, the track veers off the Pa Kereru Loop track.

• DOC Duration: Click here for DOC website track info
• Forest Family Times: Ngamarama track to North South Junction – 5 hours with a 5, 6, 7 and two 8 year olds – this time includes breaks after every hour of walking (when walked without children it only took 2.5-3 hours).
  • West – Te Tuhi track –  1.5 – 2 hours, walking with a 10, 11 and 12 year old (Walking time only – doesn’t include lunch or swim stop).
  • South – North South track to Te Whare Okioki – 1/1.5 hours without/with kids.
  • North – North South track to Wairere Falls (top) – 2.5 hours without kids

• Track Grade: Advanced – this DOC grade is due to stream/river crossings.
• Highlights/Features: The old tramline cuttings are pretty spectacular. The track is a good mix between tramline, roots and grassy paths, it’s nice to change it up a bit – kids love climbing over roots more fun than a plain track. There were plenty of streams to dip your feet in or to enjoy a lunch break at. This is a decent walk for little legs so be sure to have lots of distractions up your sleeve.
• Notes:
  • There are several small stream crossings on this track, some are rock hopping, some are crossed by balancing on logs.
  • Always look up and follow the orange triangles as there were a couple of times on the track that while looking down you could veer off on an unmarked track (make sure kids are not walking too far ahead).
  • No dogs allowed unless by permit.
  • There is a toilet at the car park in Whakamarama.