027 550 0611These tramps, tracks and bush walks were specifically designed and built to educate students about New Zealand Native Forests and Northland Geography.
The tramps ensure that the Tangihua Lions Lodge is an ideal spot for school camps or for any other group wishing to explore or learn about New Zealand Native Bush. The tracks are well formed and maintained by DOC.
There is range of tramping tracks suitable for all age groups and fitness levels.
You will find under The forest on this website a great deal of information about the Tangihua and other Northland forests, plants and species which you will see on your walk.
Gear to take and other issues
For a relevant PDF for day walks in the Tangihua ranges rams ideas here
The tramps and bush walks
There is a range of walks ranging from the very pleasant, easy stroll to the quite difficult. This also depends on age group and of course fitness (often the parents).
Full day tramps
The trip to Horokaka. This is ok for year 6 onwards. It will take about an hour and a half each way. The easiest way is to follow the Whakapono track at the back of the lodge onto the ridge. Return by the Tumanako track. The other more direct route is quite steep to begin and can have a negative impact on some people.
Half day tramps
Include the Access road, the Kauri Dam walk, the Nature Trail, the Whakapono – Tumanako loop, the Kauri Grove walk on the Te Haua Uru Track.
The map on wall of the Tangihua Lodge Wall shows all the tracks. There are also small maps on each track sign post.
All junctions are clearly sign posted with estimated tramping times on them. If travelling in a group it is good practice to have the entire group gather at the junctions to avoid the group inadvertently splitting up.
The most common tramps and bush walks used by schools
Note: Time taken varies between age groups, fitness and the school. It includes time for teaching and stopping to admire the views.
Burma trail – time taken 1 hour or less
The Burma trail as a night time walk with ropes as guidelines. There are two, a long and short version. The short trail is situated 50m from the small Kauri dieback stand at the lodge off the Access road. The long trail is on the corner. These trails are followed at night by holding onto a rope. With a little help from parents all sorts of obstacles are encountered on the way.
The children and their adults turned on torches for the shallow stream-crossing and there, illuminated in the silver light, were dozens of freshwater crayfish — koura — scampering about on the creek bed and its damp edges.
Then, as kids gasped or stifled the urge to shriek, and torches were dimmed, they became aware of a million tiny lights twinkling along the stream banks and in the overhanging bush. It was a galaxy of glow worms.
Day tramps and walks
- The Tangihua Lions Lodge Nature Walk
Time taken from lodge: 1.5 hours return - Kauri Dam walk
1 hour return - The Kauri Grove walk
2 hours return - The Horokaka Track
4 hours return - Whakapono and Tumanako loop track
1.5 hours return
Informative signage
Before you go anywhere carefully read the sign on the covered deck.
