3220 - Kaimanawas

3220 - Kaimanawas - 23rd - 26th Jan 2026

The Auckland Anniversary Kaimanawa  tramp is a fit trip with two 8+ hour days tramping. There is two plans and the decision of which one to take will be made depending on driver availability and the amount of rainfall in the preceding days. We depart Friday evening 5.30pm and return Monday late afternoon.

Trip 1 is to stay at the Urchin Campsite on the Friday night and to start on the Urchin Track Saturday morning. We’ll head up the Waipakahi river to camp near the Hut. Day 2 is to follow the Middle range track up past Thunderbolt to camp near Motutere. Day 3 is the walk out to Urchin to complete a loop circuit.

Trip 2 requires a driver who can drop us at the Southern Access walkway to tramp along the northern edge of the army camp. We follow the track right through to the confluence of the Makomiko stream and Otamateanui stream where we camp for the night. Day 2 is to head for the tops via points 1272 and 1271 and head north to reach Thunderbolt. We’ll camp at a known spot near Motutere. Day 3 is the walk out to the Urchin carpark.

Both trips require a tent as well be camping all 3 nights.

https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz50224/Urchin/Waikato