Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
8
Planning
WHEN TO TRAMP
Whanganui National Park has a mild climate with few extremes, and an occasional dusting
of frost and snow on high ridges in winter. This means that the tramps in this park can be
done year round, but will be best enjoyed from October to May.
INFORMATION
Maps and information about the park are available at DOC's Whanganui Area Office (
Click
Taumarunui DOC Field Base
( 07-895 8201; Cherry Grove Domain, Taumarunui),
but these of-
fices are not always staffed.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Matemateaonga Track
Duration
4 days
Distance
43km (26.7 miles)
Track Standard
Tramping track
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Start
Kohi Saddle
End
Whanganui River
Nearest Towns
Stratford (
Click here
)
, Whanganui (
Click here
)
Transport
Shuttle bus, boat
Summary
Penetrating deep into the wilderness and emerging at the mystical Whanganui
River, this is the classic Whanganui National Park tramp.
This track follows an old Maori trail and a settlers' dray road across the broken and thickly
forested crests of the Matemateaonga Range, at altitudes between 400m and 730m. There
are vantage points offering impressive views of the rugged countryside and glimpses of the
peaks of Tongariro National Park. The main interest, however, is lush native forest.
Surprisingly, the tramp is easier than the rugged nature of the countryside suggests, be-
cause the old graded road reduces the amount of steep climbing. Although it lacks the alpine
