3174 Waitawheta hut, Kaimai

Sunday  16th March 2025

An easy walk along the old Waitawheta bush tramway in Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park to a well-appointed hut. The track follows the relatively flat, Waitawheta Tramway. After about an hour and a half the track crosses a large suspension bridge to the site of a replica logging bogie (a tram cart that carried the massive kauri logs). There are information signs to show when, why and how the tramway was built. We continue south along the tramline through the spectacular Waitawheta Gorge. The main track requires one river crossing but there is a bypass track that requires just a few small side stream crossings. The track then leaves the river and goes through an old campsite before reaching the toilet bowl waterfall, Waitawheta Hut, and the site of the old logging mill. Waitawheta Hut has two bunkrooms, a separate dining/lounge area, and a generous deck outside. 3 - 4 hrs walking, 7.5 km (one way).

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