This wheelchair and buggy accessible short walk leads you under cooling shade of the forest canopy to the majestic Tāne Mahuta, New Zealand's largest living kauri tree.

Not far into the walk, a sweeping corner of the track suddenly brings you face to face with the ‘Lord of the Forest’. When you catch your first breath-taking view of this magnificent tree, you'll feel compelled to pause for a while. You can almost feel Tāne Mahuta’s strength and ancient presence, and its overwhelming size makes visitors look like dwarfs. 

There is a wooden fence and a seat to view the tree. To get a broader view of Tāne Mahuta, you can move further along the track, which then leads to another viewing platform.

Open times

Closed Christmas Day. The gate to the track is locked at night. 

• December 2024 open daily 9 am - 3 pm
• January - March 2025 open daily 9 am - 4 pm
• April - December 2025 hours to be confirmed

The Tāne Mahuta Walk is signposted from SH12, which runs through the Waipoua Forest. The southern township of Dargaville is 65 km away and the northern township of Omapere is 18 km.

The road widens at the Tāne Mahuta car park to accommodate visitor vehicles. There is a picnic area, and toilets located 25 m back from the car park on the opposite side of the road from the track entrance.

• Keep to the track at all times.
• In strong winds, beware of falling branches.
• The gate and toilets are locked over night.

Wheelchair access

• Available via the ramp on the left-hand side of the wash station entrance. Once through the gate a brush can be used for cleaning prior to travelling over blue mats placed on the floor.
• Ensure wheelchairs are clean prior to entering the wash station.