Exploring Te Maire Loop Track
Located about 15 km along the Forgotten World Highway from Taumarunui, the Te Maire Loop Track offers a unique opportunity to experience the ancient Whanganui River rainforest. This track provides a rare glimpse into the striking forest that once covered the entire region and is part of Whanganui National Park.
Discovering the Rainforest
Te Maire Loop Track takes you through an "island" of old forest accessible via a road bridge over the Whanganui River. The track is 2.5 km and takes around 2 hours to walk. There is an easy stream crossing at the start, and you can expect to see tūī, kārearea (falcon), korimako and toutouwau (robin).
As you walk the track, you'll be surrounded by the dense greenery and diverse flora that characterise this ancient rainforest. This track is one of the few ways to explore the rainforest in the national park without embarking on a river trip and provides a peaceful and immersive experience.
After completing the loop, you can return to the highway and visit a nearby lavender farm and café.
How to get there
To reach the Te Maire Loop Track, drive approximately 15 km along the Forgotten World Highway (SH43) from Taumarunui. Turn south over the bridge over the Whanganui River onto Paparoa Road, then left onto Te Maire Road and park at the signposted track access.
Continuing on the Forgotten World Highway is a spectacular, remote drive that includes the Tāngarākau Gorge, Morgans Grave, Moki Tunnel, Whangamōmona and several high road saddles through very rugged hill country on the way to Taranaki.
