Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
s/d $95, $25 per extra person)
, 1km along Minginui Rd from Te Whaiti Rd, has a backpacker
lodge, basic motel rooms and meals.
That's pretty much where Minginui begins and ends. There's no shop, so you'll need to
bring all your own supplies.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Whirinaki Track
Duration
2 days
Distance
25km (15.5 miles)
Track Standard
Tramping track
Difficulty
Easy
Start
River Rd car park
End
Plateau Rd car park
Nearest Town
Minginui
Transport
Shuttle bus
Summary
An all-weather track offering an easy tramp along the scenic Whirinaki River; it's
so level it uses a tunnel through a hill.
This track is a surprisingly easy walk, which is ideal for families, novice trampers and those
unfamiliar with NZ backcountry tramping. While Whirinaki lacks the dramatic alpine and
volcanic features many trampers come to NZ to see, it is still an interesting tramp, with
highlights such as Te Whaiti-nui-a-toi Canyon, thundering Whirinaki Falls and the caves
near the southern end of the track. Best of all, this is one of the few places in NZ where you
will encounter trees of such size and density.
Although the one-way Lower Whirinaki Track is the park's most popular option, there are
many other choices, including the three-hour
Waterfall Loop
, a good option for day-trippers
wanting a taste of the park.
Extended multiday trips are also possible, many of which form a loop and may involve
stream crossings. From the southern end of the Whirinaki Track, for example, it's possible
to return to the River Rd car park via Mangamate Stream passing Upper Whirinaki Hut
