Waikato Whirinaki Track

Update March 2025
Access from SH5, Napier Rd, as detailed in the pdf file, needs to be checked prior to travel. These roads are rough at the best of times and are closed at times. Alternately Whirinaki Adventures offer a shuttle service from their base near Minginui to the Plateau Rd carpark. A few minutes after starting the walk you come to a sign pointing to the right saying Upper Whirinaki hut. The track to Central Whirinaki hut(not sign posted) is straight ahead on a track that is now very overgrown, mainly with ferns. However, from the Caves turn off the track is much better maintained.

Several variations of moderate to fit walks are possible but this note basically covers walking from the car park on Plateau Road in the forest area to Minginui via the Central Whirinaki Hut and the “cave”. This is a long walk of 26+km and has to be tackled at a relatively hard pace to ensure reaching the goal well before dark since there is still a long drive back to Taupo from Minginui via Murupara and Rainbow Mountain on SH5. Access to the starting point on Plateau Road is not too easy so use of the map or, better, someone who knows the way acting as a guide is essential. A good tramp to do a swap-over using two vehicles but plan well as communications limited via cellphone.

Last updated Jan 2013