Whangamarino Historic Walk

This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.

The track starts at the gate and follows the mown pathway and Po markers through regenerating native bush of tree ferns, mahoe, mapou, hangehange and other shrubs before climbing up a grassy spur, with views over the Waikato River and SH1. The track is generally of easy gradient with steeper parts stepped.

At the top of the spur are some fortification ditches that were part of Te Teoteo’s Pā, a pre-European pa site. A short distance further on is the Whangamarino Redoubt occupied by British forces during the Waikato War of 1863-64.

Information panels provide further detail about the history of the area. The track then follows down an old roadway used during the Land Wars to the exit on to Oram Road. This section of track also forms part of the Te Araroa Trail, a walking trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

This walk is accessed from Oram Road, off SH1 between Meremere and Mercer. It is just across the Whangamarino River control gates.