Govan Wilson to Puhoi Valley

This narrow bush track now follows along the ridgeline through attractive podocarp and broadleaf forest with glimpses of the surrounding countryside and coast.

The track climbs to the Dome trig. Then there are a few more ups and downs along the ridge, including a steep scramble around large rocks, on the way to the Lookout platform with views across the Mahurangi Peninsula to the Hauraki Gulf. The track then descends 1km on an upgraded walkway and steps to the Dome Cafe carpark and SH1. The Dome Cafe is closed, but the owners have kindly provided a camping space for Te Araroa hikers.  Unfortunately the water supply has failed. Water and toilet are no longer available.

Dome to Moirs Hill — 16km / 4-5 hours

• Warning: Forestry and farming operations
• SH1 is a busy road. The crossing has been modified to make it safer but take care as motorists may not be expecting pedestrians crossing 

Immediately across SH1 from the Tearooms is Kraack Road. Follow this road up to a forestry gate. Pass the gate and head along a southwest forestry road. Take a left down another track heading southwards, then cross westwards through regenerating native bush. This is thinly marked through to Smyth Road.

Follow Smyth Road south, turn right into Kaipara Flats Road, then left into Streamlands/Swamp Roads.

Turn right (west) into Old Kaipara Road and keep an eye out for the entrance to #121 when the route is marked up the driveway. Follow the markers up the driveway and around the edge of a fence (not up the driveway to the house), then follow the marked fenceline up to and along the ridge to Edgerley Road; please use the stiles. Give stock a wide berth — they are very friendly.

Follow Edgerly Road for 1km before turning right (west) onto Woodcocks Road. A further 500m along, take a left into Matthew Road and follow it for 1 km. Running off the end of Matthew Road is a forestry road to bring you up to the summit of Moirs Hill. As the forestry track runs onto Moirs Hill Road, continue straight ahead past DOC’s Waihunga Track and the radio transmission tower shortly after.

A gate and Private Property sign block vehicle access to the forestry road at the end of Matthew Road. Te Araroa walkers are welcome to squeeze around the gatepost on the left end of the gate and continue up the hill, following the forestry road. 

Just east of the transmission tower is a Te Araroa-signed track that heads 1.7km south down to Ahuroa Road. Signage indicates 5 km to Remiger Road and 9.5 km to Puhoi.

Note: stay on the clay/grass track. The gravel track you may see occasionally is a neighbouring forestry road. There are few markers as there is just pine and gorse for much of the way.

Dunns Ridge Track — 2.5km / 1 hour

• Warning: Farming operations and predator control — please do not freedom camp in this area

From the Ahuroa — J Tolhopf Road intersection, head south 1km down J Tolhopf Road until you pass a rural residential subdivision, then reach a widened area of the sealed road with car parking. Enter through the gate just past the carpark, and follow the fenceline up and over the ridge to the bushline. 

From this bushline, follow orange markers across and through part of Dunn’s Bush (a Queen Elizabeth II National Trust reserve, with loop tracks back to Ahuroa Road) until you pass the “Sugarloaf” rock formation. A stile is in place if you want to climb up to this very peaceful and picturesque spot with beautiful views across the valley and out to the coast.

Otherwise, keep heading southeast on the ridge and follow markers through the farm paddocks. The route briefly joins a farm track and then leaves it again to follow the fenceline — please stick strictly to the marked route and follow the fenceline, descending steeply to Remiger Road.

On reaching Remiger Road turn right and cross the bridge over a small creek. On the left, the Remiger Road Conservation Area offers free camping with a small shelter, picnic tables, water supply (treatment recommended) and a toilet.  Camp on the grass near the shelter, avoiding the young trees and shrubs planted to enhance this DOC site.

Follow Remiger Road 1km to the intersection with Ahuroa Road. Directly opposite there was previously a swing bridge onto the Puhoi Track.  The bridge was destroyed in the flooding and storms in January 2023. An alternative crossing point, starting on the other side of the concrete road bridge to your left and forwarding the smaller stream, is being developed. At the time of writing (August 2023) this route is not available as there is further damage along the Puhoi Track.  Turn right and follow the road 4 km to Puhoi village. The road is narrow with poor visibility for traffic.