Centre of the North Island

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    Bungy Jump 101:
    Find a beautiful place. Check.
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    Fix cord to body, and leap.
    Wooooo!
  - Canyoning
    
    Canyoning
    
    Canyoning is a mix of land and water travel, descending picturesque canyons on foot (or rear end), ropes and swimming. Born by adrenalin-seekers, the growth in popularity of Canyoning in New Zealand means gentler trips are increasingly available.
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    Caving
    
    Don overalls and gumboots for a day underground, up and down ropes navigating the maze of tunnels - or go glowworm spotting and enjoy the serenity.
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    Galloping down an isolated beach on a trusty steed, sand flying, the salt air whipping in your hair... (admit it, that's how you picture yourself on a horse)
    Horse trekking is offered all over New Zealand, guided trips catering to both experienced riders and those with less time in the saddle.
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    Fun, crazy and unusual - these activities refuse to be put in a box. If you're looking for something a bit different, you'll find it here.
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    Railbiking / Railcarting
    
    Railbiking is cycling on unused and forgotten railways. A railbike is either a bicycle that has been modified to be able to ride on the rails of a railroad or a purpose-built specialized railbike or railcart.
  - Snow and Ice
    
    Snow and Ice
    
    New Zealand Glacier and Skiing tours - Good times all round.
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    Sphereing (also known as globe-riding, zorbing or orbing) is the recreation or sport of rolling downhill inside an orb made of transparent plastic.
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    With over 15,000km of coastline to enjoy, New Zealand is naturally quite fond of boats… Boat cruises are a great way to explore NZ's rivers, lakes, beaches and fjords, offering a different perspective on both our landscape and wildlife.
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    Expect no facilities. Generally for self contained vehicles only. Check our notes for details.
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- North Island
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    Northland
    
    The wairua (spirit) is strong in this one. Two seas clash on the outer rim while giant forest guardians look over within.
  - Auckland Region
    
    Auckland Region
    
    There is no other city in NZ with such an array of close natural wonders. Sometimes hidden behind poor urban design, a small effort yields great rewards.
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    Coromandel
    
    Go underground to find the gold, when you get out there, let it hang out there, use your tea towel as a loin cloth and drink herbal tea. Can you handle th' Mandel?
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    The name says it all.
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    The land of milk and honey. A mecca of dairy coupled with the sweetness of serenity.
  - Tairāwhiti Gisborne
    
    Tairāwhiti Gisborne
    
    Gets up before anyone else. A birthplace of the new. Off the track, hongi a local, share a brew. Kia Kaha!
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    Rotorua Region
    
    Smell it before you see it. Rotorua is so hot right now!
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    Taupo Region
    
    Big eruption = Big hole = Big lake
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    Ruapehu
    
    Slip on your shoes, it's walk-o-rama. Vivid colour like a Psychedelic cruise.
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    Hawkes Bay
    
    Like a masquerade ball; full of pomp, ceremony, fine wine and food. The gannets are cool too.
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    Taranaki
    
    The Naki is quite the surprise package. Talk with the colloquial locals and unlock a Jack-in-the-Box of the unexpected.
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    Manawatu - Wanganui
    
    Raw and real. The Whanganui river is a major artery that has fed culture and change, shaping Aotearoa.
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    Wairarapa
    
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    Wellington Region
    
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  - Marlborough
    
    Marlborough
    
    After slinking through the sounds and sipping on some Savs, keep the sounds down 'cos the spy base is in town.
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    Nelson Region
    
    This region is like a hippy with flash shoes. Drunk on sunshine. Replenish, reflect, restock & relax. Then relive the 70's and head down the one way street called Golden Bay, it won't let you down.
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    West Coast
    
    A diamond in the rough. Get on the offensive, cover yourself in sandfly repellent and tackle the weather & best scenery in NZ head on.
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    Kaikoura Region
    
    Squeezed between two giants, a dramatic point where the Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean meet.
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    Canterbury
    
    Lots on offer here, straight roads make for easy driving but a zig zag approach is rewarded. Good place to get lost in. Watch out for local one eyed rugby fanatics.
  - Central Otago
    
    Central Otago
    
    Surreal space, if the Dalai Lama wanted to hang out in a southern NZ Tibet, then this is the spot. Get out your incense and get remote.
  - Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Like a great road trip movie, wind down the windows, put on your favourite tunes and prepare yourself for a sensory intake of freedom.
  - Wanaka Region
    
    Wanaka Region
    
    The outdoor fitness capital of NZ. You get the feeling every local is capable of giving you 10 one-handed push ups, while holding a coffee in the other. All roads from here lead to goodness.
  - Queenstown Region
    
    Queenstown Region
    
    A beautiful place where the locals have devised any conceivable way to scare you silly.
  - Coastal Otago
    
    Coastal Otago
    
    An oddity that works. The Scots did their best to tame the beast but wildlife still prevails. Get a hip flask of whisky, a kilt and stride the coast with purpose.
  - Fiordland
    
    Fiordland
    
    Meditative Milford - Get yourself in a zen state as this place is intense. Once the tour buses depart by 4pm, the locals are in their element (including sandflies). Find yourself in a quiet space and do what you need to do to take it all in.
  - Southland
    
    Southland
    
    A true blue, quirky mix of heartland and bogan, add a dash of the gay in Gore and gregarious local penguins on lonely beaches.
  - Stewart Island

Ranker's Qualmark Silver Award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism operation that consistently exceeds visitor expectations.

Marios Gavalas

Centre of the North Island

Pureora Forest Park

1 Rankers Review

0 Face-to-Face

14 Te Kuiti

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Your Nature Guide

Marios Gavalas

Author And Researcher

Nau mai, haere mai

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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Te Kuiti, Waikato

Camping near Te Kuiti

Photos

Mike Locke

The mysterious Pureora Forest.....

Mike Locke

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Marios Gavalas

Monument at the centre of the North Island

Marios Gavalas

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Information

500 m return | 10 minutes return

Inscribed on the cairn is the explanation of how the centre of the North Island was found. At first it seems like a blague, but after consideration, the method was quite ingenious. You’ll have to visit to find out how it was done. We’re not telling.

Access

11.5 km from Pureora Field Centre along Link Road (9.2 km from Kakaho Road), the Centre of the North Island is signposted along Waimonoa Road.

After 3.0 km there is another sign on the left and the start of the track is shortly after.

Link Road has many branches coming off it. Most are forestry roads with locked gates, but Link Road has enough signage to reassure you that you’re not being led to the middle of nowhere.

Track

An even metalled track weaves through the forest to a cairn at the centre of the North Island.

Details

Feature	Value	Info
Organisation	DOC Waikato Central government organisation
Location	North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti
Categories	Walking Free

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Waikato

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti

Feature	Value	Info
Track Difficulty	Easy walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk
Track Length	Up to 500m Track Length What is the physical length of this track? Up to 500m	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? Up to 500m
Track Duration	10 to 30mins Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is 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	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
DOC Track Category	Easy access short walk DOC Track Category What 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.	DOC Track Category What 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	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What 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.	Track Managing Organisation What 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.

Reviews

Department of Conservation

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Chuck

Ranking: 8/10

Road from forest headquarters was ok for the first 8 or 9 km but then deteriorated into 4 wd road only. Some big wheel ruts would have ordinary road cars bottoming out. At centre of North Island sign, a gentle walk through a nice area of forest about 8 mins brings you to the plaque. Back on the road, if you continue on it will take you to the main road that connects Turangi and Tokoroa.

Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2013

DOC Managed

Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍

Cymen Crick

Waikato ▷ Te Kuiti

Land Activities

4WD Adventures

Bungy Jumping / Swing

Canyoning

Caving

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Horse Trekking

Outside the Square

Railbiking / Railcarting

Snow and Ice

Sphereing

Walking and Trekking

Water Activities

Boat Cruises

Diving

Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking

Jet Boating

Marine Animal Encounters

Air Activities

Visitor Centres

i-SITE Visitor Information Centres

Visitor Information Centres

Animal Attractions

Art & Culture Attractions

Natural Attractions

Stargazing

Camping Grounds

Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks

Basic Facility Camping

Freedom Camping

Land Transport

Motorhomes / Campervans / RV

Rental Cars

Shuttle Buses

Water Transport

Air Transport

North Island

Northland

Auckland Region

Coromandel

Bay of Plenty

Waikato

Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Rotorua Region

Taupo Region

Ruapehu

Hawkes Bay

Taranaki

Manawatu - Wanganui

Wairarapa

Wellington Region

South Island

Marlborough

Nelson Region

West Coast

Kaikoura Region

Canterbury

Central Otago

Mount Cook - MacKenzie

Wanaka Region

Queenstown Region

Coastal Otago

Fiordland

Southland

Centre of the North Island

Centre of the North Island

Pureora Forest Park

Your Nature Guide

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

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Photos

Information

Access

Track

Details

Track Difficulty

Track Difficulty