Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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325 m return | 10 minutes return
Tane Mahuta, God of the Forest, is estimated to be 2,000 years old. He is 51.5 metres high, has a girth of 13.8 metres. He rises nearly 10 metres before there is any tapering in his trunk. He is the largest, best-known and most publicised kauri.
This is a spiritual place - According to Maori mythology Tane is the son of Ranginui the sky father and Papatuanuku the earth mother. Tane was the child that tore his parent’s parental embrace and once done set about clothing his mother in the forest we have here today. All living creatures of the forest are regarded as Tane’s children.
It can get busy so if you prefer a quieter experience then time your walk for early or late in the day. Hanging out with Tane Mahuta at dawn or dusk is gold!
Tane Mahuta is comprehensively signposted on S.H.12, 11km north of the Waipoua Visitor Centre. There are toilets, picnic tables and roadside parking nearby.
The track is wide, metalled, even and suitable for wheelchairs, although one fallen tree at an angle over the track may need negotiation.
Boardwalks are constructed to protect the shallow fragile root systems of the tree.
The largest ever recorded kauri had a girth nearly twice as large.
The dying tips of his branches show he is in the autumn of his years and probably hollowing on the inside. His sheltered location should allow for continued wonder for generations yet.
Over 15% of the recorded species in the Waipoua Forest live as an empire of epiphytes in the clefts between his upper branches. Moisture collects in these hollows and a moss begins to form. This creates an embryonic soil for a seed, either blown by the wind or dropped by a bird, to germinate. The leaf litter accumulates and develops humus, sustaining the plant. In this way a hanging garden evolves in the tree.
In Maori mythology, Tane was the son of Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatuanaku (Earth Mother). With his almighty strength, he separated their embrace, creating light, air and space – the elements for life to flourish. Tane is thus seen as the life giver and all living creatures are his progeny.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC NorthlandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Hokianga |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? Up to 500m |
Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? Up to 10 minutes |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Easy access short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. Few or no steps or slopes. Suitable for people of all abilities and fitness. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required. |
Disabled Access |
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Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? Disabled access provided This location provides access for wheelchairs. |
Crowd Factor |
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Crowd FactorHow crowded is this place usually? Popular This place is often popular with other travellers. |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Big ass tree, very cool.
AMAZING.
Impressive.
Very touristy.
Very nice walk to see the Kauri trees.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 24 |
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29% |
9/10 | 19 |
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23% |
8/10 | 29 |
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35% |
7/10 | 8 |
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10% |
6/10 | 4 |
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5% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5.0/5
Amazing to see the largest kauri tree.
Short walk from the road. Be sure to clean your shoes properly at the station on the way in and out of the walk to help stop the spread of kauri die back disease. Toilets across the toad as well as awesome fresh fruit ice cream. Worth the stop along the way.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
Really amazing, it's worth while a stop, just 5 min walking from the road.
A monster tree that I'll always remember.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.5/5
Beautiful walks and loops under the tree of Waipoua Forest with stunning stops in front of the biggest Kauri.
Quiet atmosphere and respectful people. Information and signage are helpful - congratulations!!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.0/5
A must see!
The Kauri trees are huge and has a great sense of spirituality.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Very nice walk to see the Kauri trees.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Nice walk with a lot of information about the surroundings and the tree.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
A short walk to see the biggest living Kauris in the country.
It is a nice, easy flat walk.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
A lovely walk on well maintained paths to see the largest living Kauri tree.
Excellent.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.0/5
A short walk takes you to the biggest Kauri tree in New Zealand which is very impressive, unlike anything I have ever seen.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
3.5/5
Oldest known Kauri tree, 5 minute walk, very impressive.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
A great walk under the cooling shadows of the Kauri trees.
Great conditions and clean facilities.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
3.0/5
Very big and nice trees.
I believe it was the biggest tree in New Zealand. The drive along the west coast is also very nice.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Amazing to see the largest kauri tree.
Short walk from the road. Be sure to clean your shoes properly at the station on the way in and out of the walk to help stop the spread of kauri die back disease. Toilets across the toad as well as awesome fresh fruit ice cream. Worth the stop along the way.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
5.0/5
Really amazing, it's worth while a stop, just 5 min walking from the road.
A monster tree that I'll always remember.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.0/5
A must see!
The Kauri trees are huge and has a great sense of spirituality.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Very nice walk to see the Kauri trees.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Nice walk with a lot of information about the surroundings and the tree.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
A short walk to see the biggest living Kauris in the country.
It is a nice, easy flat walk.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Beautiful walks and loops under the tree of Waipoua Forest with stunning stops in front of the biggest Kauri.
Quiet atmosphere and respectful people. Information and signage are helpful - congratulations!!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.5/5
A lovely walk on well maintained paths to see the largest living Kauri tree.
Excellent.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
4.0/5
A short walk takes you to the biggest Kauri tree in New Zealand which is very impressive, unlike anything I have ever seen.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
3.5/5
Oldest known Kauri tree, 5 minute walk, very impressive.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
A great walk under the cooling shadows of the Kauri trees.
Great conditions and clean facilities.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Really impressive Kauri tree.
It is an easy walk over a wooden board path. You can see the biggest Kauri tree of New Zealand!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
Huge tree with a diameter of a few metres.
Awesome rainforest feeling.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Lovely short walk through the forest to see New Zealand's mightiest Kauri tree.
There is also the Four Sisters, four trees all growing together.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.0/5
It is a very big tree but shorter than I imagined.
Lots of available information.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
3.5/5
Big, big Kauri trees!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
What a big tree!
Definitely worth seeing this old giant.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
3.0/5
Very big and nice trees.
I believe it was the biggest tree in New Zealand. The drive along the west coast is also very nice.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
What a nice walk to see some Kauri trees.
Two of them are more than 1000 years old and they are huge. This will make you feel how small you are against the nature. Good experience and amazing feeling.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.0/5
Very impressive to see something that old.
Big cultural must do. Nice five minute walk.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.0/5
Easy walkways through impressive forest.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Biggest tree we have ever seen with great pathways created by DOC.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
3.0/5
Very easy to reach from the highway and a spot that you should check out when passing by.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
5.0/5
Magnificent Kauri tree and a great walk in a green, lush forest.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
5.0/5
Majestic tree still stands alive inside this green and shady forest.
Impressive.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
5.0/5
One of our highlights of the North Island were the many DOC walks through the giant Kauri forests of Waipoua.
Great way to stretch the legs (and the necks) as you stare up at these monsters. Free too which is always good. Don't miss the big boys, Tane Mahuta, Te Matua, Yakas and their 4 Sisters!
Reviewed almost 9 years ago and experienced in November 2015
4.0/5
Really beautiful all those Kauri trees.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in January 2015
3.5/5
It is big, but it is not the biggest tree I have ever seen, good information signs about it all.
Chip van outside does average tasting chips, very slowly.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
3.5/5
Short and cool walk to see the 'God of the Forest'.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014