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Hiking

Trounson Kauri Park: a short loop through Northland forest

ReGear

Walk Trounson Kauri Park’s 1.6 km loop: about 40 minutes through kauri forest, entrance details, cleaning stations, gradients and aerial maps.

Two kauri trees rising into the canopy at Trounson Kauri Park.

Trounson Kauri Park is a compact forest walk with large kauri, ferns and birdlife. It is a good place to slow down, read the interpretation and look up into the canopy.

On this page: Quick facts · Start · Maps · Route · What to bring

Quick facts

  • 1.6 km loop; allow about 40 minutes plus stops.
  • Boardwalk and metalled track with some steeper gradients.
  • About 38 km north of Dargaville.
  • No dogs. Clean footwear at the wash station and stay on the track.

Getting to the start

Approach along Trounson Park Road from State Highway 12, or from the north via Katui Road and Donnellys Crossing. The loop has day-car-park and campground entrances; the map marks the road-side approach.

Location and route maps

Orange highlights show DOC’s recorded track over real aerial imagery. Open a map for a closer look.

Trounson Kauri Park location relative to Dargaville on real aerial imagery, with north up.
Trounson Kauri Park mapped walking track highlighted orange on real aerial imagery, with its entrance marked and north up.

DOC track information and official map

What the walk is like

  1. Use the footwear cleaning station before entering the forest.
  2. Follow the formed loop through kauri, taraire and fern understorey.
  3. Pause at the interpretation and listen for forest birds.
  4. Follow the loop back to your entrance and clean footwear again on leaving.

Effort and conditions

The walk undulates, and some gradients are steep. DOC identifies a wheelchair entrance at the day car park, with a steep 50 m approach to the wash station; wheelchair users need to return by that entrance. Strong wind can bring falling branches, so choose a calmer day.

What I would bring

I would bring clean shoes with grip, a light rain jacket and water. A small pack leaves hands free on sloping sections. Check the weather and sort food and facilities before arriving rather than relying on services at the track.

Planning your return

Allow time for the rural drive. Nearby fuel stops include Kaihu to the south and Waimamaku to the north. Check DOC’s current notices and keep to the formed path to protect kauri roots.

  • Rainbow Falls: A short waterfall visit near Kerikeri on a different part of a Northland itinerary.
  • Cape Reinga lighthouse: A much farther-north coastal stop with an exposed paved approach rather than forest walking.

For kit planning, see our New Zealand day-walk gear guide.

Sources and photo credits

Researched trail guide using DOC information, checked 2 October 2026.

Maps: LINZ Basemaps and imagery contributors, CC BY 4.0. Track geometry: Crown copyright, Department of Conservation, DOC Tracks dataset, CC BY 4.0. Location labels and route highlights added.

Photo: Kauri trees in Trounson park.jpg — Sylvain Machefert / Symac. CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized for display.