Motutapere Hut Walk climbs out of the Tuahu Track onto the exposed North-South Track in the Kaimai Ranges, an 11km return trip taking about six hours. The first half is an easy forested climb, the rest turns into real ladder and bluff tramping, rewarded with wide views over Tauranga and the Waikato and a free night in a historic hut.
Quick facts
Parking at the Hot Springs Road car park
Drive south from Katikati on SH2 for around 2km, then turn into Hot Springs Road and follow it to the very end, about 8km south of Katikati in total. There’s plenty of room to park, but don’t leave valuables in the car, it’s not watched.
There’s no public transport to the start of this walk, so you’ll need your own car. It’s one of several Katikati Walks worth building a trip around if you’re down this way.
If you want to add another outdoor outing to the day, the Scenic Lake McLaren Kayak Tour suits the same adventurous crowd and pairs well with a Kaimai tramp.
The Tuahu Track and the kauri tree turnoff
The start of the Tuahu Track is easy to find, just follow the signpost from the car park. It’s a good, wide track to begin with. About five minutes in there’s a short detour to a small rimu grove, worth the couple of minutes it takes.
After 20 minutes there’s a turnoff on the left to the Tuahu Kauri tree. It’s a loop track and the five minute walk out to it is well worth doing. The kauri standing here is known as Tuahu, and the track itself follows an old Maori bridle route that once ran from the Bay of Plenty over the Kaimai Ranges to the Waikato.
Crossing the Rereatukahia Stream and the climb to the ridge
The Rereatukahia Stream crossing can be tricky if it’s been raining in the last day or two, but most of the time you can rock hop across without getting your socks wet.
From the stream it’s uphill all the way, crossing two more small creeks on the way up. Fill your bottles here if you need to, because once you reach the North-South Track junction there’s no more water until Motutapere Hut itself.
At the top of the saddle you’ll meet the North-South Track. Turn left and head south, it’s about 640m along the ridge from this junction to Motutapere Hut.
Ladders and bluffs on the North-South Track
This is where the walk changes character completely. From the junction there are a few short, steep sections to climb, and the track gets narrow, rough and exposed in places. There’s a small bluff to walk under with a wire rope to hold on to, you’ll only really need it if a gale force westerly is blowing.
Next is a steel ladder to descend. My pack kept catching on the rails every step going down it. Straight after that there’s a wooden step section, and I took a short, undignified trip down the last two steps of it. Watch for stinging nettle right at the North-South turnoff too, it grows thick there.
Just as I climbed out of that little ravine thinking about a hot coffee, I came face to face with a young hind. She barked at me, jumped the ridge and vanished, leaving me with a decent fright to shake off. More wooden steps follow, then a slip and slide descent down to Motutapere Hut.
From the hut you can carry on south the next morning past the Mt Eliza Mine Track turnoff to Thompsons Track, or turn back the way you came. If Thompsons Track is part of your plan, check the current rules first, it closes to vehicles every winter for safety and to limit damage to the track.
The view from up on the ridge
The whole reason to put yourself through the ladders is the views. From the ridge you look out over Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty coastline on one side, and across to the Waikato on the other. On a clear day you can pick out cars and trucks on the main road to Te Aroha on the Waikato side.
Keep an eye out for fantail, robin, tom tit, wood pigeon and tui through the bush sections, the Kaimai Ranges cover 37,000ha of native forest and support plenty of birdlife.
Is the Motutapere Hut walk right for beginners?
No, this one is for fit, experienced trampers. The Tuahu Track section up to the North-South Track junction is a solid medium walk that most reasonably fit walkers will manage fine. But the push on to Motutapere Hut is hard going, with ladders, a bluff and rough, often slippery ground. If you want a taste of the same area without the hard second half, the Thompsons Track Loop Walk reaches the hut a different, slightly longer but easier way.
Best conditions for the Kaimai ridge walk
Go on a dry, settled day if you can. The wooden steps and the steel ladder on the North-South Track get properly slippery when wet, which in the Kaimai Ranges is often. Strong westerlies make the exposed bluff section unpleasant too, so check the forecast before you commit to the full route.
If the weather turns too wet and slippery for the staircase on the day, the Classic Flyers Aviation Museum makes a good indoor alternative for the day instead. And if you’re bringing the family and just want a relaxed afternoon afterwards, General Pool Entry at Baywave Aquatic & Leisure Centre is an easy, low-key way to unwind.
Dogs, kauri dieback and track safety
Check the current park rules before bringing a dog. Dogs aren’t permitted anywhere in the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, which covers the Tuahu Track, the North-South Track and Motutapere Hut, except for permit holding hunters with hunting dogs.
After a suspected detection led to localised track closures in 2023, DOC has since completed an extensive multi year survey and confirmed the Kaimai Mamaku forest is free of the pathogen that causes kauri dieback disease. It’s still good practice to clean your boots at any cleaning stations you pass, especially before and after visiting the Tuahu Kauri tree.
Other hazards to know about: stinging nettle is thick right at the North-South Track turnoff, the narrow staircase section gets exposed to strong wind, and deer, including stags in the roar, use this track too. Mobile coverage is reasonable once you’re up on the ridge, but don’t count on it lower down near the stream.
My honest take
This walk is a proper burn out, but I loved it. The views of Tauranga, the coastline and across to Hamilton are some of the best I’ve had from the Kaimais. Motutapere Hut itself was overdue a clean when I stayed, it’s a basic three bunk hut, no bookings, first come first served, and completely free. You could pitch a small tent nearby but the ground isn’t very flat.
I shared the night with rats trying to get into my pack for my carrot cake, and possums tap dancing on the tin roof, so I wasn’t lonely. If you’re after a reward for the ladders and the climb, a soak at Fernland Spa Main Hot Pool Entry is the perfect way to ease the legs afterwards. For a bit more privacy after the bluffs and steep ladders, the Private Thermal Hotpool Entry at Fernland Spa is worth booking, or if you just want a quick dip before heading home, the Signature Soak Entry at Fernland Spa does the job.
Common questions
Is Motutapere Hut free to stay in?
Yes. It’s free, first come first served, and no booking is needed.
Who looks after Motutapere Hut?
The Thames Valley Deerstalkers Association maintains it, rather than DOC staff directly, it’s a basic three bunk hut.
Can I bring my dog on this walk?
Dogs aren’t allowed in the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park except for permit holding hunters with hunting dogs. Check the current park rules before you go.
Is the Tuahu Kauri tree detour worth it?
Yes. It’s a short loop off the main track, about five minutes each way, and well worth the small diversion.
Can I continue to Thompsons Track from the hut?
Yes, past the Mt Eliza Mine Track turnoff, but Thompsons Track closes to vehicles over winter, so check the current rules if that’s part of your plan.
Other walks near Katikati
More walking options in the area: Tuahu Track, Beach Macmillan Reserve and Glow Worms Night Walk.
Back to Katikati Walks for more walks in the area.
