From the carpark follow the nature walk through the forest of silver beech and podocarp species: matai, miro, kahikatea and rimu. Keep an eye out for the birdlife too, including kārearea/New Zealand falcon, kererū/wood pigeon and kea.
A sign indicates where the Mount Shrimpton Track branches off. From here on the track climbs steeply to the bush line. Beyond the bush line, it is possible to follow the ridgeline and ramble around this special upland environment for great views of the Makarora Valley and the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.