Wilkies Pools Loop Track
WalkTaranakiOpen
- Grade
- Easy
- Walking time
- 1 hr 20 min
- Distance
- 1.9 km
- Route
- Loop
- Dogs
- No dogs
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzThe track starts at the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre.
To get there starting from Stratford, turn off State Highway 23 into Celia Street, which becomes Opunake Road. Follow this for 14 km, then turn right into Manaia Road. Continue on this road for 9 km up the mountain to Dawson Falls Visitor Centre.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 39.31842° S, 174.09796° E
About this place
Walk through kamahi (goblin) forest to a series of pools, scoured from 20,000 year old lava.
The route
The first 900 m of this track (to the pools) is baby buggy/wheelchair friendly with the remainder of the track good for children. It takes 20 minutes to get to the pools. The track starts by winding through ‘goblin forest’. Cross the bridge over the Kapuni Stream to reach the turnoff to the small lava formed Wilkies Pools. These pools were named after the Wilkies brothers who farmed locally. Families may want to return the same way – continuing around the loop requires some rock hopping across Kapuni Stream. Return to the signpost to continue around the loop, past small waterfalls, bubbling springs and the intake weir for the power station. Recross the Kapuni Stream and head back to the visitor centre. Take care when crossing the Kapuni Stream as the river bank may be eroded, making access difficult. There is no bridge across this stream. It may be impassable after heavy rain.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Be ready for changeable weather
Taranaki Maunga has changeable and unpredictable weather. Check the forecast and carry enough clothing and equipment to ensure you are able to cope with any type of weather, at any time of the year. Snow, high rainfall and storm damage can make tracks impassable. Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki weather forecast – NIWA website
Take extra care on the access road
Take care when travelling up Manaia Road to Dawson Falls road end as there may be increased traffic and heavy goods vehicles. Dawson Falls Lodge is being redeveloped at Dawson Falls road end. The Lodge and café are closed during this work.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Freedom Camping
Taranaki • 0.8 km
Freedom Camping is a campsite located in the Taranaki region. The available records do not provide further details about specific facilities or features at…
Hooker Shelter
Taranaki • 0.9 km
Hooker Shelter is a hut located in the Taranaki region. The available records provide no further details regarding its specific facilities or location.
Waingongoro Hut
Serviced • 16 bunks • Taranaki • 1.1 km
Waingongoro Hut is a DOC hut located in the Taranaki region. It is a suitable destination for a half day or overnight tramp, particularly for families with…
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Kapuni Lodge
Taranaki • 1.7 km
Kapuni Lodge is a private hut in the Taranaki region that is available for hire. Non-members pay a fee of $25, and bookings can be made by contacting…
Manganui Public Shelter
Taranaki • 1.7 km
Walks nearby
Ridge Loop Track
Easy • 1hr 20 min • 1.9 km • 0.38 km away
Dawson Falls Power Station Track
Easiest • 20 min return • 100 m • 0.7 km away
Kapuni Loop Track
Easy • 1 hr • 1.4 km • 1.01 km away
Stratford Plateau Lookout
Easiest • 30 min • 1.24 km away
Manganui Gorge Track
Easy • 20 min one way to bridge and further 5-10 min to ski field • 1.5 km away
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
Something missing or out of date?
Closed, moved, wrong facts, or something we have missed? Travellers keep the Road Guide up to date. Tell us what you found at contribute@parkup.nz and we will check it and add it.
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Sources
- DOC Tracks & Trails · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- OpenStreetMap Trails · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.
- DOC Tracks (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).