HOW ON EARTH DID THESE GET HERE?
11 August 2022
Boulders loop track
A Little Bit of Knowledge
2.8 million years ago there was a volcanic eruption at the site of Lake Omapere. This eruption (and possibly more) was so big that it created a 30 metre thick basalt layer which started to crack and erode over time due to rain/weather. When the Wairere Stream was formed, it widened the gap below the basalt crust and more basalt broke off as well as the clay washing away underneath, which started to create a V shaped valley which in turn enabled these boulders to move sloooooowly down the hillsides towards the bottom of the valley where they now sit.
It has literally taken these 2.8 million years for the boulders to get from the top of the hill to where they lay now. So rest assured you won't see any boulders tumbling past or squashing you in the process!
There are 3 magical walks to do on this 350 acre park, which is set on well maintained, private land. It is green and lush and a mix of NZ native bush and subtropical forest.
It has literally taken these 2.8 million years for the boulders to get from the top of the hill to where they lay now. So rest assured you won't see any boulders tumbling past or squashing you in the process!
There are 3 magical walks to do on this 350 acre park, which is set on well maintained, private land. It is green and lush and a mix of NZ native bush and subtropical forest.
Inside the information shed
The Info Shed
At the start of the trail, right beside the carpark, is the information shed. Here you’ll find a wide range of photos and information on:
- The history of the Wairere Boulders
- Making the trails
- Highland cows
You can grab a map of the tracks just before you head out on the trails. They are laminated and need to be returned at the end of the walks. They are pretty basic but fun for the kids! On the back are some pictures of rock animals to be found along the way.
There was an ice cream freezer inside the shed which I’m sure they use in summer - perfect for after a long hike in the heat. There is also a cute caravan cafe just outside, but it was closed due to the lack of visitors at this time. Their food and coffee looks good so hopefully when you go, you can enjoy them.
- The history of the Wairere Boulders
- Making the trails
- Highland cows
You can grab a map of the tracks just before you head out on the trails. They are laminated and need to be returned at the end of the walks. They are pretty basic but fun for the kids! On the back are some pictures of rock animals to be found along the way.
There was an ice cream freezer inside the shed which I’m sure they use in summer - perfect for after a long hike in the heat. There is also a cute caravan cafe just outside, but it was closed due to the lack of visitors at this time. Their food and coffee looks good so hopefully when you go, you can enjoy them.
At the carpark
Boulder loop track
Boulder Loop Track
We chose to do the Boulder Loop Track as it seemed to be the most interesting with going under and around boulders and there were fairy doors and rock animals to find - always a winner with kids! The other two tracks are the Summit Track and the Magic Rock Track. They both sound awesome, but we really liked the sound of all the exploring to be done on the Boulder Loop Track.
It took us around 1.5 hours to complete as we stopped a lot for photos and to watch the rivers below on the bridges and exploring the caves. It’s hard not to stop all the time as it’s such a photogenic place. Also the greenery was so vivid, it's hard to believe it was actually that shade of green.
We went over streams & rivers, through caves, around & over boulders, through trees, over bridges & through swarms of sand flies.
Some parts of the track were a bit slippery so we highly recommend really good shoes with good grip. There are hand rails but in some parts you need to hold onto trees or just have really good balance when it’s slippery. There had been a lot of heavy rain before we had been, so we were surprised the tracks were all open and not flooded out.
It took us around 1.5 hours to complete as we stopped a lot for photos and to watch the rivers below on the bridges and exploring the caves. It’s hard not to stop all the time as it’s such a photogenic place. Also the greenery was so vivid, it's hard to believe it was actually that shade of green.
We went over streams & rivers, through caves, around & over boulders, through trees, over bridges & through swarms of sand flies.
Some parts of the track were a bit slippery so we highly recommend really good shoes with good grip. There are hand rails but in some parts you need to hold onto trees or just have really good balance when it’s slippery. There had been a lot of heavy rain before we had been, so we were surprised the tracks were all open and not flooded out.
Wairere boulders
Wairere boulders
Swimming hole
Swimming Hole
There is a swimming hole that we went to as the girls wanted to check it out. Bella thought it would be crystal clear blue water as on the map it was in blue, so she was bitterly disappointed when we arrived and it was brown! (we explained that maps use blue to determine water). The brown colour is from the tannins from the vegetation up river, not cow poop or dirt. We could see a few rocks under water so it would be a nice place to have a dip in (in summer, or winter if you’re brave!!) but I wouldn’t dive or try and swim. Would come out looking like you’ve been a fight!
One of the fairy houses on the walk
Start of the Boulders Loop Track with the first fairy house
Fairy Houses & Rock Animals
The kids really enjoyed searching for the fairy houses - basically anything fairy is amazing to them. The fairy houses helped keep the walk interesting although to be honest, it was such a great walk they never got bored! The fairy houses were set in trees and tree trunks and showcased brightly painted doors and windows.
The rock animals were really clever and not man made, they are just rocks (or tree trunks) that already look like animals and they have painted faces on them. We had the map with us and on the back was the rock animals to find, so the kids kept looking at the map and seeing if they could spot any. When we had finished our walk, we realised we had missed a few... they must have been blended in well to the environment!
The rock animals were really clever and not man made, they are just rocks (or tree trunks) that already look like animals and they have painted faces on them. We had the map with us and on the back was the rock animals to find, so the kids kept looking at the map and seeing if they could spot any. When we had finished our walk, we realised we had missed a few... they must have been blended in well to the environment!
Crocodile animal rock
Lath inside one of the caves
Dragons Cave
Going through the caves was really fun. The kids especially enjoyed it and exploring them. It was fairly easy getting in and out of the caves and we had to duck our head in a few places but that’s all part of the charm. When I say caves, I mean underneath giant boulders – thankfully they were wedged in tight and we didn’t end up as squashed bugs!
The caves were full of spiders webs in-between the boulders. They were fascinating to look at and Bella didn't make eye contact with any of them haha (not a big spider fan!)
The caves were full of spiders webs in-between the boulders. They were fascinating to look at and Bella didn't make eye contact with any of them haha (not a big spider fan!)
Lath & Bella exploring a cave
Exploring caves
Kayak Hire & Camping
If you aren't up to walking the tracks, there are kayaks available to hire for the Wairere River. You can kayak up the valley two hours either side of high tide to the Hokianga Harbour. You can even kayak to the Mangungi Mission House where the team will pick you up, how cool is that! This takes about 1.5 - 2 hours.
They have kids kayaks available for 8 years and older, or single and family kayaks (2 adults and 1 child).
Camping at Wairere Boulders Park looks amazing. It's not something we had time to do but it sounds amazing. The campsite is ecofriendly and is really cheap to camp at! There are toilets but no showers (lucky there are rivers nearby). They also have some of the clearest skies in NZ due to no light pollution. Great for star gazing and photography!
They have kids kayaks available for 8 years and older, or single and family kayaks (2 adults and 1 child).
Camping at Wairere Boulders Park looks amazing. It's not something we had time to do but it sounds amazing. The campsite is ecofriendly and is really cheap to camp at! There are toilets but no showers (lucky there are rivers nearby). They also have some of the clearest skies in NZ due to no light pollution. Great for star gazing and photography!
The Wairere River
Stunning rocks all over the trail, covered in vibrant green moss
Wairere River view from one of the bridges
Flora and Fauna
The moss on the boulders and trees was so vivid green, it’s hard to believe it really is that colour. The vibrancy is striking, especially from the moss covering the trees and boulders. It gave a fairy magic feeling to the area.
The final stretch across the river was super muddy but it was only about 30 metres back to the entrance so it wasn’t too long to get through the sludge. There had been soooo much rain the few weeks before we had gone so it's no surprise it was super muddy in this part.
The final stretch across the river was super muddy but it was only about 30 metres back to the entrance so it wasn’t too long to get through the sludge. There had been soooo much rain the few weeks before we had gone so it's no surprise it was super muddy in this part.
Vivid green moss on one of the boulders
Moss covered tree in the Boulders Loop Track
On the Boulders Loop Track
Mappy McMap Face
Getting There
2.5 hours from Dargaville
30 mins from Kaikohe
The road down to the boulders is a bit of a long one and mostly unsealed. It’s well sign posted – keep an eye out for the yellow signs. There are a couple of really tight spots towards the end where the road becomes narrow and pretty much one way but the area isn’t too long.
30 mins from Kaikohe
The road down to the boulders is a bit of a long one and mostly unsealed. It’s well sign posted – keep an eye out for the yellow signs. There are a couple of really tight spots towards the end where the road becomes narrow and pretty much one way but the area isn’t too long.
Entrance to the boulders
Know Before You Go
- When you get to the entrance of the property, there is a gate you’ll need to open and close behind you. You’ll be able to say hello to some highland cows too!
- Parking is well sign posted and is right beside the info shed.
- In the information shed there are a few pairs of adults gumboots and walking poles to use. We couldn’t find any poles that were matching and I didn’t think we really needed them. We’re glad we didn’t take any, they would have just been annoying! Also would definitely recommend good walking/hiking shoes for the walk.... gumboots would be too awkward.
- The tracks can be quite slippery after rain. It wasn’t toooo bad for us but a few “GO SLOW!” parts.
- Not suitable for prams at all!
- After really heavy rain, part of the tracks may not be accessible.
- We paid $35 as a family to go in. It’s based on an honesty system – either cash in an honesty box or you can bank transfer to them. All the info is inside the information shed (duh.) For updated prices click here.
- There are no food places on the main highway between the boulders and Opononi (even there it’s limited) and the next stop is Kaikohe.
- No dogs are allowed.
- Some tricky tight spots to get through and you need good footing for other parts.
- Opening hours are 8am – 6pm
Conclusion
We highly recommend you take the time to plan the Wairere Boulders into your itinerary. It’s a beautiful place, very scenic and a great place to unwind in nature. The kids will enjoy searching for the fairy houses and rock animals and everyone will enjoy the walk. It's a hike to get out to the boulders but it's so worth it.
It is an easy to moderate track, which the kids (4 and 8 at the time) found super easy to do and had an absolute blast! The rock animals and fairy houses were a nice surprise for the kids and they were excited to find them.
Will definitely go back to do the Summit Track & the Magic Rock Track when we’re back in the area again.
Our drive back home was a 2-hour drive back to Kai Iwi Lakes Resort. Very scenic and easy to stop off at Tane Mahuta and Omapere for more exploring.
It is an easy to moderate track, which the kids (4 and 8 at the time) found super easy to do and had an absolute blast! The rock animals and fairy houses were a nice surprise for the kids and they were excited to find them.
Will definitely go back to do the Summit Track & the Magic Rock Track when we’re back in the area again.
Our drive back home was a 2-hour drive back to Kai Iwi Lakes Resort. Very scenic and easy to stop off at Tane Mahuta and Omapere for more exploring.
Gallery of Wairere Boulders
Check out the rest of the awesomeness that didn't make it to the main blog but deserves to be shown.
MORE TO SEE AND DO NEAR WAIRERE BOULDERS
MAUNGANUI BLUFF
NORTHLAND A rugged and wild west coast beach you can drive your 4x4 on and see seals, collect mussels and explore rock pools.
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TANE MAHUTA
NORTHLAND A completely underwhelming tree... until you turn around and look the right way then WOW! New Zealand's largest and oldest kauri tree.
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KAI IWI LAKES
NORTHLAND These are the clearest lakes we have seen in the North Island. Perfect place to relax in summer or take the boat out and catch some trout.
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