Exploring the Beauty of the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park is a living museum of natural and human, ancient and recent history. The park covers 45,000 hectares and forms a narrow barrier between the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions of New Zealand. Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park is accessible via State Highways 2, 26 and 29.
Giant Kauri Tree
Photographer: Destination Northland
(info@northlandnz.com)
The Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park is made up of two distinct areas, the Kaimai Range and the Mamaku Plateau.
In ancient times the Kaimai Mamaku Range was a Noah's Ark for plants, riding high above seas of ice and oceans of water. In more recent times, Maori settlers formed tracks through the range, hunted in its subtropical forest and used its plants for food and medicine. Later Europeans used the bush in much the same way but they also milled its mighty trees and dug into the hillside for gold.
The park marks the northern boundary for the red and silver beech. It is also the southernmost limit of the majestic Kauri tree.
The public has free access to the park, and recreational facilities include 300 kilometres of tracks.
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park Activities
Activities in Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park include:
- Tramping
- Hunting (with permit)
- Dog walking
- Mountain biking and cycling
- Fishing
- Guided activities
- Camping
- Swimming
- Canoeing/kayaking
- Abseiling
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park Attractions
Karangahake Historic Walkway
Owharoa Falls, Waikato
Photographer: Chris McLennan
(www.cmphoto.co.nz)
Attractions in Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park include:
- Mount Te Aroha - the highest point in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park
- Kaimai Heritage Trail - home to a rich industrial past
- Karangahake Gorge - combine gold mining history with natural beauty
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park Flora and Fauna
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park has a wide range of vegetation and and bird and animal life.
Vegetation in the park ranges from dense low altitude forest to windblown scrub and grassland.
A bird lover's paradise, Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park's birdlife includes:
- Whitehead
- Whio/blue duck
- Kaka
- Kokako
- Kiwi
- Karearea/New Zealand falcon
- Tui
- Bellbirds
Animal life in the park include the endangered Hochstetter's frog. Introduced pests include possums, goats, pigs, deer, mustelids and rats.
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park Accommodation
Huts, shelters and picnic areas have been developed for camping, hunting, education and bush walking.
Hut tickets can be purchased from any Department of Conservation (DOC) office or from local Visitor Information Centres.
Basic campsites are free of charge.
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park Conservation
The Department of Conservation manages the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park. Some things to remember include:
- Do not take animals into the park
- Dogs may only be walked on leashes in the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway, the Crown Track or at Dickeys Flat Campsite
- A permit is required to light fires
- Take your rubbish away with you
- Do not remove or disturb any artifacts or other historic remains
- Camp only in designated areas
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