Maungaraho Rock

A RANDOM ROCK PERCHED IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

01 AUGUST 2022

One hell of a view along the walk

Short Walk

Ok so we had already done a full day's adventures starting off with lunch at the Gum Digger's Cafe, spending a couple of hours exploring the Matakohe Kauri Museum and hiking up Tokatoka Peak but I said to everyone, "Guys, it's just an 18-minute walk around this big boulder and carpe diem and all that". So everyone agreed that it would be fun to do as our final adventure for the day as it was on our way back to Kai Iwi Lakes, even though we had been walking and hiking all day.

Looking at photos online, we didn't realise how big the rock really is! Driving up to it and seeing it for the first time was awesome. It looked like something from another country, not New Zealand.

When we arrived, we could hear masses of pigeons coo-cooing and we looked up at the rock and could see them flying around the top where they were nesting. We were thankful we didn't get pooped on while we were walking around it!

It's situated only 17 minutes south of Dargaville and is an easy to drive to it and is well sign posted.

Arabella looking up at the sheer size of the rock!

Beautiful view of Maungaraho from the start of the track near the carpark

An Old Volcano

Maungaraho Rock is the remains of a volcano that erupted millions of years ago and what remains is the core of the volcano as the outer layer has eroded away with time and weather. Basically it's an old volcanic plug, similar to Tokatoka Peak, which is not far at all from Maungaraho Rock so you should totally climb that too!

Standing at 200m high, it juts out from the riverine plain surrounding it and it's hard to miss when driving by!

The rock contains the rare mineral harmotome (for any science/geology fans out there).

Stunning view over the district

One of the few man made paths on the base track

A beautiful lookout through the bush near the start of the walk

Base Track or Summit Track?

There are two tracks to walk/climb around Maungaraho Rock. We chose to do the base track as to do the summit track, you need to have some climbing experience and be fit as there are ropes and ladders in places and we didn't have enough daylight hours to check it out. It's probably better to do this with kids that are confident and aren't scared of heights!

If you do end up doing the summit track, you will be rewarded with 360 degree views across the district - lucky you!!

I really did read somewhere that it was just an 18 minute walk around the base of the rock, but someone was telling porkies... maybe if you ran it?! We stopped for photos and to explore so it took us about an hour, but generally it takes around 45 minutes return to walk around the cliff face of Maungaraho.

You end up right back at the carpark so it's eaaaaasy as to find your way back home.

Maungaraho rock base track

The top of the rock kinda looks like a sloth

Lath and Sienna searching for fairy houses in the tree trunk

Maori Legend

In New Zealand, there are a lot of Maori legends and there is one involving Maungaraho. It goes like this...

Maungaraho had 4 brothers, Manaia, Tokatoka, Taungatara and Motowhitiki. They didn't want to live their lives in Hawaiki so one night they followed Kupe the great explorer and came to New Zealand, Aotearoa. As the sun was rising, Atua took away their powers to move, leaving them stranded where they now rest.

Crazy cool rocks on the base track

Bella and Sienna absolutely dwarfed not even half of the base of Maungaraho!

Flora and Fauna

We loved the diversity in the walk, not only in the terrain but also in the plants and trees. In some parts you're in the bush, surrounded by trees and shrubs, trying to avoid tripping over tree roots and rocks and in other parts you're walking through grass, looking out into the beautiful countryside at limestone rocks scattered as far as the eye can see. There were also crazy spider webs in the cracks in the rocks and tree roots snaking their way through the ground.

On the base walk, there were some man made steps but most of the trail was either dirt, grass, rocks or tree roots. There were a couple of parts we got to that we weren't sure which way to go, but we just followed our nose and found our way in the end. We even had some curious cows staring at us when we got to the open spaces.

Cool tree roots!

One of the paths on the base track

In 2008 it was discovered that Maungaraho Rock actually has a native Hebe species of plant not found anywhere else in the country!

Limestone rocks scattered around the paddock

Know Before You Go

You don't have to be super fit to do this walk, it's fairly easy but you have to go up steps or step over rocks/tree roots
There is heeeeaps of parking available
There are no toilets here
It's free!
It takes around 45 minutes to complete the base track
Bring water as there are no shops or taps here
Wear good walking shoes with good grip
Some parts of the track may be slippery after a lot of rain
No dogs
Not suitable for prams

Mappy McMap Face

Getting There

42 Maungaraho Rock Rd, Arapohue 0370

The road to Maungaraho Rock is just 8kms off State Highway 12. It's an easy road and mostly sealed.

Conclusion

Maungaraho Rock base track will suit most abilities. It's a really nice and relaxing walk with some beautiful views over the countryside. It's worth making the detour there to view the rock, even if you don't intend to do either of the two walks.

If you're up to it and have the ability, the summit track is difficult, but you will be rewarded with 360-degree views of the district.