Taranaki, Whanganui & Around Wellington - Hiking and Tramping in New Zealand - page 224

The lush rainforest that covers 90% of the park is predominantly made up of broad-leaved
podocarps. At lower altitudes you will find many large rimu and rata. Further up, around
900m, kamahi (often referred to as 'goblin forest' because of its tangled trunks and hanging
moss) becomes dominant.
8 Planning
WHEN TO TRAMP
Mt Taranaki's high altitude means that trampers can be exposed to strong winds, low tem-
peratures and foul weather at any time of year. Changes are often sudden. Most tracks in Eg-
mont National Park should be walked during the traditional tramping season of October to
May, with January to April the best time to climb to the Mt Taranaki summit. Trampers
must always go prepared for bad conditions, taking with them a warm hat, gloves and good
rain gear - no matter how things look when they set off.
MAPS & BROCHURES
The park is covered by NZTopo50 BJ29 (Egmont National Park) , as well as NewTopo map
Taranaki Mt Egmont 1:65,000. Three brochures, Pouakai Circuit, Around the Mountain
Circuit and Mt Taranaki Summit Climb provide similar detail to this guide.
HUTS & LODGES
Six of the eight huts in the park are Serviced Huts ( www.doc.govt.nz; $15) : Holly, Lake Dive,
Maketawa, Pouakai, Waiaua Gorge and Waingongoro. They all have woodburners, unlike
the two Standard Huts ( www.doc.govt.nz; $5) , Kahui and Syme. You'll need to carry a stove
for all huts. Purchase hut tickets at the North Egmont Visitor Centre, Dawson Falls Visitor
Centre and other DOC visitor centres nationwide. Hut tickets can also be bought at the re-
gion's i-SITES.
Behind North Egmont Visitor Centre you'll find the Camphouse ( 278 6523;
www.mttaranaki.co.nz; Egmont Rd; dm/d $35/80) , a historic bunkhouse complete with gun ports
in the walls and endless horizon views from the porch.
Further south on the road up to the Stratford Plateau (the highest road in the park) is the
Stratford Mountain House ( 06-765 6100; www.stratfordmountainhouse.co.nz; Pembroke Rd; r
$155) , an upbeat lodge with motel-style rooms and an on-site cafe and restaurant.
Near the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre is the Swiss-style Dawson Falls Romantic Hotel (
765 5457; www.dawson-falls.co.nz; Manaia Rd; s/d $100/150) , which has meals available.