3124 Family Tramp - Fungi search at Otanewainuku Forest

Sunday 19th May 2024

This trip is for fungi fans – and people who want to spend a quiet time in native bush.  A good trip to bring along younger children.  We will leave 8am Sunday, travel over the Kaimai with private carpooling or van/bus depending on the numbers. Arriving there by 9.30.

Pack layers of warmth, a lunch and snacks. Be prepared to have lots of time, to sit and just enjoy being in the bush, stopping for photos often and listening to native birdsong.  We can break into smaller groups for separate walks, and mix and mingle as we meet over the day.

We won’t leave again until 3pm, getting us back to Hamilton at 4.30ish. 

This will be a fine winter weather trip only – any storms, high winds or heavy rain – it will be cancelled.

Getting there:  619/667 Mountain Road, Oropi

Take Oropi Road south from Tauranga and turn onto Mountain Road just past Oropi. There is a small car park, public shelter, toilet and picnic area by the road.

Ōtanewainuku is covered in virgin unlogged forest and is home to a variety of native birds and animals. Large emergent rimu trees are common. Tawa, kamahi and rewarewa form a high canopy and bird species such as robin and bell bird are readily seen and heard.

Since 2002 a volunteer trust, Ōtanewainuku Kiwi Trust, has helped conserve the precious wildlife of Ōtanewainuku. Kiwi, whiteheads and forest gecko are all found here. Recent releases of kiwi and kōkako have proved successful.

Rimu Loop Walk:  45 minutes return, 1.8km   Last time I visited in fungi season this track alone took us 4 hours!

Starts from the opposite side of the road near the carpark. This gently graded walk with some impressively large rimu trees is suitable for walking children. It’s not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. 

Summit Track:  90 minutes return, 2.3km

The loop track to the summit starts behind the shelter and is reasonably steep in parts, but the view from the top is worth the climb. A tower constructed on the summit (640 metres) offers panoramic views from East Cape to Mount Tarawera and Rotorua, and across the Mamaku Plateau to Mount Ruapehu.

Whataroa Falls: 1 hour each way

For the slightly more agile, a well marked route branches off the Rimu Loop Track after 15 minutes and undulates through the forest to the Whataroa Falls. The waterfall is a popular swimming hole and picnic spot. Explore this lovely stream with cascades and pools before returning the same way.

So, there are 5 hours of possible tracks to walk and 5½ that we will be there – something suitable for everyone!

Leader:	Theresa O'Leary	Phone:	027 416 2633
Grade:	Medium	Email:	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Transport:	Senior member	$20 - 25	Senior non-member	add $10

Click here for online map