Morepork Track

From the Kaiikanui Road entrance the track follows a well formed old roadway for about 4 km. It then sidles off into the bush to follow a fenceline for much of the way down into a gully, then climbs steeply to a cleared and grassy high point (218 m). There are spectacular views here out to the coast and the Poor Knight Islands.

Note the section of the track that leads to Whananaki from the track junction is closed. There is no through access to Whananaki for Te Araroa walkers.

The DOC track starts off the Kaiikanui Road at its western end. It is approximately 45 km north of Whangārei.

Kaiikanui Road can be accessed either from the north through Helena Bay or alternatively by Pigs Head Road just off Whananaki North Road at Opuawhanga. Be aware that this is a narrow winding dirt road – take care when driving.

There may be wasps and wasp nests in the area.

Around 1900 this area of forest was opened up for logging and the track itself follows a road that was formed at this time to provide access into the densely forested ridges and valleys.

Prior to this these same ridges were used by ancient Maori to provide access from coastal settlements to the interior and sections of this track follow these early trails.