Wairakau Stream Track

Wairakau Stream Track

Wairakau Stream Track
4.5
About
Duration: More than 3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
2 within 5 kms

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles17 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1

Swee
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021
Since we first laid our eyes on the views from Duke's Nose, the hubby and I knew we must visit this place! We were worried about the need to climb up (almost vertically) a metal pole but the past reviews were helpful to assuage our worries.

We decided to take a water taxi to Lane Cove Hut instead of walking in from Totora North. Online booking for the water taxi was easy on the website of Whangaroa Harbour Adventures and we were picked up from Totora North Wharf. We enjoyed the pretty views on the water taxi ride and was able to get a good photo of Duke's Nose which will not be possible on land.

Now, to the hike up the metal pole... It is scary at times but it is very much do-able. There was even a couple in their 60s who ascended the metal pole before us (in our 30s). Just hold tightly onto the metal pole for dear life as you climb and you will reach a huge flat area at the top to soak in the beautiful views for as long as you want.

The walk back to Totora North took close to 1.5 hours (without any break) and it was a nice easy walk with slopes once in a while. We had to walk an extra 15 - 20 minutes to get to our car which was parked at the wharf though. Great half day trip out.
Written 22 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KYU153
27 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
Wairakau to Dukes Nose is one of the best North Island day hikes. It took us (30yr old and 57yr old) 6 hours return including six snack/water breaks, a long lunch break and photo ops (so actual time spent walking was more like 4.5 hours). The wairakau stream track is an easy and medium gradient hike: the mud and resultant slipperiness is what makes the track slightly challenging. The track from the looks of it is wet year round (wet compact clay, mud and damp tree roots) but is a smidge less marshy when the day is hot and dry. If you have hiking poles (or find a decent dead branch), highly recommend taking those along to give your knees some love. The only toilet available is at Lane Cove shelter which is app. 2hrs in. The hike up to Dukes Nose is a steep gradient, mostly dry track. There are two hand rail climbs. Rail 1 is easy. Rail 2 is more doable than it looks. The bottom third of the climb is the hardest as the footholds are widely spaced and small. Tip from a fellow hiker we met was to climb on the right hand side of the rail (so the rail is to your left). Then about a third way up you’ll need to switch over and climb on the left hand side of the rail for the rest of the way. We found the climb down was easier as less upper body strength is required :)
Written 17 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

746sheryl
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
My husband is 71 and I am 68, we walked in from Totara North, we found the track quite challenging, as we're only moderately fit, but determined to give it a go.
The track had some quite steep inclines and descents with a lot of tree roots and small boulders. You had to watch your footing, there were muddy patches where you had to boulder hop. The two stream crossings were fine but a little hard on bare feet if you removed your boots. We took 2 hours from the start of the track to reach Lane Cove, where we had our lunch then set out for the Dukes Nose. It was very steep and we stopped quite often for a breather but got there in about 40 minutes. We found the climb up the rocks no problem at all, coming down was fine as well, you just had to be careful to get a good foot hold and hang on tight. The views from the top were amazing, it was well worth the effort of getting there.
We returned via the track as well, we stopped at the stream crossings and had a swim in the waterhole, it was pretty cold but so refreshing. Another reviewer had recommended doing this, so we took our togs. We were pretty tired by the time we got back to Totara North, but if we had taken the water taxi it would have been a long walk back from the wharf to collect our vehicle. We were very pleased with what we had accomplished, the weather had been fine and dry for the previous week, would have been more challenging in wet conditions.
Written 4 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David E
Burwood, Australia87 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Solo
Setting off from the trail head in Totara North,this well marked track winds through dense forest under a canopy of rain forest vegetation for a lot of its length and has muddy sections after recent rains . There is a double river crossing about half way, where you will need to remove boots and tread with caution, but in general the track is an easy walk following the Wairakau stream from this point down to the mangrove fringed upper reaches of Lane Cove. At this point it is possible to organise a water taxi pickup for an easier return trip to Whangaroa harbour, depending on the time of year and passenger numbers.
My aim was to continue a further 30 or so minutes of steeper climbing to the summit of The Dukes Nose Lookout. The ground here is less muddy but terminates in a fairly vertical rock wall of maybe 15 to 20m, which you must ascend with the aid of embedded steel poles, care is recommended! The view from the flat top of the Dukes Nose is epic.
If doing this walk in summer, the return trip by water taxi would be highly recommended (pH no: 02 7680 5588).
Written 21 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NZP0PPY
New Zealand29,134 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
We did the walk today. we read all the info and expected it to be a tough walk. it isnt. Anyone with some fitness would be able to walk from Totara north to lane hut, and then its a steepish but short climb to dukes nose.
If you have any nz hiking experience in the outdoors you will find this walk fairly easy. The stream walk has no steep hills, We didnt even get our feet wet at the stream crossings, lots of rocks to get across.

It took us 20 minutes to walk up Dukes nose and that included photo stops. We are mid fifties agegroup. Its trickier getting down than up, but wear good footwear and its really achieveable

We got the water taxi one way, which was a lovely trip. But walking there and back is every achieveable. To give you an idea we got the water taxi at 10am from Totara north. Walked up dukes nose and back down, had lunch at lane cove, walked out and were back at the car at 1pm.
Written 26 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dionb24
Auckland, New Zealand49 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021
This is a must do walk. Great bush. Nice streams. Amazing views. It's 5.5km, and then another 500m up Duke's head. I would suggest the Whangaroa Harbour Water Taxi back, though it's easy enough to walk
Written 23 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tusitala12
Whangaroa, New Zealand15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2016 • Couples
You can start this walk either from Totara North (leave your vehicle at the walk's start, marked) or at the jetty (15minutes walk back to walk's start). Now 20minutes slight uphill, along old farm track; then up & down (but mostly down) to the Wairakau Stream and then follow it to Lane Cove DOC hut, romantically sited on water's edge of Pekapeka Bay. Two hours max, thus far; an extension uphill 45mins one-way to the Duke's Nose will repay the effort:- wonderful water & bush views. Back the same way; or have-(prearranged)- a pick-up by Whangaroa Water Taxis; for a mini-harbour-cruise return to Totara North. Really good bush, young kauris, conglomerate rock formations, two times a stream to ford; and it is all yours!
Written 9 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah L
Düsseldorf, Germany41 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
Maybe a nice track in summer after a long dry period but not at the moment.
We walked through mud all the time and right after the first river crossing we had to return as there was just a big swamp with no option to cross. Very disappointing.
In general the track is not well maintained.
Written 31 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark T
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Amazing walk through bush’s with nice stream crossings to green harbour views. Clkiffs all around with a cool waterfall (seasonal).
Written 30 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Onthego
Toronto, Canada17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
The Whangaroa Harbour area has excellent, pristine hiking trails. The Wairakau Stream track is one such trail that can be hiked one-way or return and, for hikers wanting a challenge, it can be done in conjunction with the ascent of the Bishop's Nose. New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC) website has descriptions of all NZ's hiking trials.

The Wairakau Stream Track is a challenging hilly medium level two-hour (one-way) hike starting at the end of Campbell Road in Totara North. It crosses abandoned farmland, two streams and forest land. It ends at Lane Cove Hut, which is available for overnight accommodation through prior arrangement with the DOC.

It can be hiked round trip (4 hours) or one-way with a fun water taxi ride back to Whangaroa Harbour via Whangaroa Harbour Water Taxi. They can also arrange a ride back to your car.

Going one way will leave you enough energy to tackle the climb to the Duke’s Nose (Kiaraara Rocks) when you reach Lane Hut. It is a steep additional 30-45 minute one way trek and the last section is reached by holding a cable. Not for the faint of heart. Some hikers just tackle the Duke’s Nose by taking a water taxi to and from Lane Cove from Whangaroa Harbour. This hike with water taxi return is highly recommended.
Written 15 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 17
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

WAIRAKAU STREAM TRACK (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

All things to do in Whangaroa
RestaurantsFlightsHoliday HomesTravel StoriesCruisesCar Hire