Introduction a. Totara Walk 30 min of the shrublands are known as frost flats, and are home to This easy loop walk winds its way among the awe- inspiring giant trees for which Pureora is famous. Ferns grow Pureora Forest Park (78,000 ha) straddles the endangered plants like Turner’s kohuhu, while the forest contains the parasitic flowering plantDactylanthus taylorii in abundance and if you are lucky, you may hear or see native Hauhungaroa and Rangitoto Ranges between (on tree roots) and endemic mistletoe in the canopy. birds such as tūī, fantails, tomtits, wax-eyes, kererū/kūkū or Lake Taupo and Te Kuiti. It is a hidden wonderland There is abundant birdlife in the park. Since 1995, intensive kākā. Glow worms can be seen at night. (The Timber Trail of tall trees, clear rivers and rare wildlife. efforts at forest restoration in various locations have ensured starts beside the Totara Walk—see C1 over page.) breeding success and protection of many The park is managed by the Tokoroa !( b. The Buried Forest 5 min native species. This includes the rare Department of Conservation (DOC) !(Te Kuiti 1800 years ago a forest was knocked over, buried and North Island kōkako, kākā (forest to safeguard its natural and historic preserved by a violent volcanic eruption that formed Lake 30 parrot) and pītoitoi (toutouwai/North features and to provide for the Taupo. This remarkable buried forest in Plains Rd was brought 4 Island robin). There are populations of enjoyment of visitors. 32 Taupo to light in 1983 when it was accidentally uncovered by a !( the rarer kārearea (New Zealand falcon), Lake digger. Today the uncovered logs lie as they fell during the Pureora was once a thriving timber Taupo kākāriki (parakeet) and whio (blue duck) village—today just a few houses !( 41 volcanic eruption. Taumarunui !( as well as both species of native bats remain along with DOC’s field base. Turangi (long-tailed and short-tailed) and c. Forest Tower 10 min Sections of forest were extensively Whio (blue duck). Hochstetter’s frog. Photo: Herb Christophers. logged between 1930 and the early 1970s, with exotic trees This 12-metre-high also planted for timber (many are now logged). Despite this, tower is a short walk the park still has one of the largest tracts of native broadleaf from Bismark Rd car podocarp forest in the North Island, and its towering trees and Places of interest park (off Pikiariki Rd). It gives a different luxurious undergrowth are truly awe-inspiring. It is worth starting your visit at the Pureora Field Base where perspective of life up there are information panels on the history and natural features in the forest canopy Getting there of the park. (The office is not open at the weekend.) The main access points to the park are from: and is a good spot for Within a 10 minute drive of the field base you’ll find several observing native birds • State Highway 30 via Maraeroa or Barryville Roads to sites of special scientific, historic and ecological interest such as kererū/kūkū, Pureora Village or Waitaramoa Rd to the northern block (see map below). kākāriki or kākā. • State Highway 32 via Arataki, Kakaho and Waihora Roads to the eastern side of the park • State Highway 4 via Ongarue and Waimiha on the south- western side Forest Tower. Photo: DOC. Note: there is no petrol outlet at Pureora; the nearest facilities d. Vintage Steam Hauler and are at Benneydale, 15 min west along SH 30, or at Mangakino, Tractor 5 min 20 min east. A short loop track takes you past a Plants and animals steam hauler and winch (used until the The vegetation of the park changes from late 1940s to haul logs from the forest for lowland podocarp forest dominated by rimu, milling), and a historic tractor—reminders of mataī, miro and tawa through to higher past activity in the area. altitude montane forest with Hall’s tōtara, e. Historic Crawler Tractor 10 min tāwheowheo and kāmahi. These forests In the 1930s–40s this 2-ton Caterpillar tractor grow on pumice and ash-derived soils. There was used to recover split tōtara posts and battens are also nationally important wetlands Kākā. from the bush. It is protected by a covered roof with and shrublands within the park—many Photo: Herb Christophers. seating. Access is from Link Rd or the Timber Trail. Forest giant. Cycling/mountain biking Huts C1. Timber Trail (grades 2 & 3) 85 km Four huts are available for overnight use: Pureora The Timber Trail between Pureora and Ongarue offers 1–2 • Bog Inn (4 bunks) days of cycling through magnificent native forest, across • Wildlife Hut (4 bunks) Forest Park deep gorges (all bridged), along historic bush tramways and • Waihaha (10 bunks) through the Ongarue tunnel and spiral. Shorter sections can • Hauhungaroa (6 bunks) be cycled from various access points (see separate brochure). tracks Facilities include C2. Select Loop (grade 1) 7 km mattresses, toilets and A gentle ride through beautiful forest on a formed 2WD wood stoves. You are metalled road. Enter off Waitaramoa Rd. recommended to take C3. Okahukura Loop (grade 2) 14 km your own portable Access is off Waitaramoa Rd then Okahukura Rd. The track cooking stove. Hut is also used by quad bikes. Suitable for skilled riders but not tickets (adult $5.00, particularly technical. youth $2.50 per night) are available from 25 km C4. Waione Loop (grade 3) most DOC offices and This is accessed from Piropiro via the Timber Trail and adds retailers displaying the a challenging circuit. The loop part of the track traverses ‘Backcountry Huts’ sign. Waihaha Hut. native forest and open clearings. Hunting Further information A permit is required to hunt wild animals in the park and can The track information in this brochure was correct at date be obtained online at www.doc.govt.nz/hunting or from the of printing, but facilities and services can change. For more DOC office at Te Kuiti. information, go to www.doc.govt.nz or contact: Accommodation Te Kuiti Office The park is a great place to explore on a weekend or for 78 Taupiri Street, PO Box 38 a longer visit, whether you stay at a campsite or in cabin Te Kuiti 3941 accommodation. Phone +64 7 878 1050 Cabin accommodation Fax +64 7 878 1051 Seven fully self-contained cabins are available to rent at E [email protected] Pureora Village See www.doc.govt.nz/pureora. Cover image: Camping Walking the Timber Trail. There are three main picnic and camping sites. Kakaho is in All photos, unless otherwise eastern Pureora on Kakaho Rd, and Ngaherenga comprises credited,are copyright DOC. two sites on Barryville Rd near the Pureora Field Base. A self- Edited, designed and published by: registration system operates, with fees $6 per adult and $3 Publishing Team, per child per night. Basic facilities include fireplaces, toilets Department of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz and picnic tables. There are excellent opportunities for PO Box 10420 bushwalking and swimming at Kakaho, and the Totara Walk, Wellington 6143 New Zealand the Timber Trail and Forest Tower are near Ngaherenga. November 2013 There are four camping shelters at Piropiro Flats (no charge). This publication is produced using paper sourced from well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. Pureora Forest Park Track classification to Other Conservation Land Te Awamutu É Short walk: well formed track; easy walking for up to an hour. Walking Tracks Walking track: well formed; easy walks from a few minutes to Tramping Tracks a day. The Timber Trail Lake Arapuni W Tramping track: mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy Duncan Rd !14 Places of interest Waipari R a i p a d sections; backcountry skills and experience required. p a R M u a R Information Ngaroma Rd n d m i g r W i Part of Te Araroa Walking Trail. See www.teararoa.org.nz a u t a u H i t k u a Waipari Rd Mountain Bike Track t o S t m R i v Enjoying the outdoors safely Camping Hoddle Rd e r Most tracks are marked by orange triangles. Other coloured Huts/Cabins/Lodges Ngaroma markers/tape are for pest control purposes and should not be Wairehi Rd (! Lake followed. Track times are based on an average family group. They Toilets Waipapa Hauhungaroa are a guide only and may vary depending on the weather and track Hut. Tolley Rd Mangawhio Rd * conditions. Track times are one way unless indicated otherwise. Restricted access for hunting Choose the right type of track for your group’s experience. * Lake Be well prepared for all types of weather and conditions. Mangatutu Maraetai tm Waipapa Rd Track S Have strong comfortable shoes (or boots for tramping tracks) # !14( e r (! io Ranginui k and suitable clothing and equipment. Carry a first aid kit, food u n Mangakino a M R Owawenga Rd Ngaroma Rd and drink and know what to do if things go wrong. Safety is a !( p C3 a p your responsibility. See www.adventuresmart.org.nz for further Mangaokewa Rd i Wildlife a hut W information. Okahukura Rd Ranginui Rd Stm Because of the terrain and heavily forested nature of the Okahukura Waitaramoa Rd park, trampers and hunters are advised to obtain the relevant 30 to Taupo topographical maps—BF34 Benneydale, BF35 Whakamaru, to Te Kuiti Select tm Loop Rd Fletchers S e Rd ha BG34 Piropiro and BG35 Tihoi. ta M ga a an n C2! M g a k i 32 n Pureora Forest Park Lodge Waipapa Loop Track o !15 Pouakani S t Î m Mihianga Stm Gully Rd Totara Walking and tramping Mt 30 Titiraupenga 1042m YMCA (! Mt Titiraupenga # Arataki Camp Benneydale !(1 Track There are many entry points to the Park, with tracks Link Rd Track!(5 !6 Arataki Rd swingbridge of varying standards and lengths.