Note, January 2022: Access from Hicks Rd was removed in 2018 due to the access privilege across private land being abused. Access has now been reinstated (see comment at end of post) so PLEASE do not abuse the privilege so that it gets to be closed permanently. Thank you.

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is a mainland ecological island surrounded by the world’s longest pest-proof fence. It provides a sanctuary for populations of many of New Zealand’s most endangered species – from birds to bats, frogs to reptiles, tuatara to giant weta. There is an information centre at the southern entry, on Tari Rd, off Arapuni Rd. The northern entry is accessible from Hicks Rd, off Maungatautari Rd.

Tracks lead across the mountain, with access from these to the summit of Maungatautari at 797 m asl and Pukeatua at 753 m asl. There are views of the surrounding area from Pukeatua summit and the nearby rocky outcrop, but none from Maungatautari summit. An earlier post covers the walk from the southern entry to the summit of Pukeatua and the rocky outcrop.

The easiest access to the summit of Maungatautari is from the northern entry, accessible from Hicks Rd. There are no facilities other than a carpark area on Hicks Rd.

There are two tracks leading to the summit from the northern entry. The original track, now called Te Tari Track, is mostly steep and rough. The new track, called Wairere Traverse or quad track, was constructed for quad bike access between the southern entry and the northern entry. It is longer than Te Tari, but easier to walk. This walk was done using Te Tari Track from the northern entry to the summit, and then returning to the northern entry by Wairere Traverse track.

Total distance for the walk was about 8.1 km, with a time of 3 hours 25 minutes, including 25 minutes for a lunch break at the summit. The trig station at the summit is marked as being 797 metres above sea level. The parking area on Hicks Rd is about 250 m asl, making a total climb of about 550 metres.

The carpark at the end of Hicks Rd.

The first 850 metres or so of the walk is along a private driveway and across private farmland. This is the start at Hicks Rd.

At the end of the driveway there is a stile to cross, and on this occasion cattle to contend with on the farmland. Dogs are definitely not allowed on this walk.

The track across farmland mostly follows some wheel tracks, although officially it follows the fenceline on the far right. The entry to the northern enclosure is left of centre, and the northern entry to the track across the mountain is on the right.

The entry to the tracks across the mountain and to the summit of Maungatautari. There is a small cage to pass through, which is also used to stop any predators, since one door must be closed before the other door will open.

Near the entry the track divides in two, with the steep Te Tari track to the left, and the quad track, Wairere Traverse track to the right.

The first part of Te Tari Track follows the predator-proof fence surrounding the northern enclosure to the left.

A small sign on the right, and some arrows on the fence, mark the starting point of the steep Te Tari Track to the summit of Maungatautari.

The start of the track itself is not very obvious.

The arrows on the fence marking the track start.

The track itself is well used and well marked, but steep and rough in places.

There are hindrances and natural barriers along the way which can be crawled over or under.

At about 500 m elevation a small clearing provides a seat and a suitable place to take a rest.

Another tree fallen directly across the track.

Tree roots provide good steps for some of the steeper parts. There are also a number of man-made steps in various places.

On this occasion the top of the mountain was shrouded in cloud, making for a misty forest.

After the quad bike track has been completed the old track junction has been closed.

The new track junction, with a sign pointing the way to the summit of Maungatautari, and onward by Te Tonga Track to Pukeatua and the visitor centre on Tari Rd.

And a sign for the track back to the northern entrance. The last few hundred metres to the summit use a boardwalk for the track.

Unfortunately at this time there was no sign pointing the way to the Wairere Traverse track, which is only about 100 m away down the track leading straight ahead.

Approaching the summit on the boardwalk and stairs.

The old trig station and picnic table at the summit of Maungatautari. There are no views, even from the top of the trig station. Te Tonga track continues straight ahead past the trig.

The sign on the trig station showing elevation above sea level.

The set of steps leading down the unmarked track to the Wairere Traverse track.

The other end of the unmarked track is marked with a sign pointing to the summit track. The quad bike track to the right leads to the southern entrance and the visitor centre on Tari Rd.

The quad bike track has views from a few locations. Here from the junction with the track leading to the summit. The quad bike track to the right leads to the northern entrance and back to the carpark on Hicks Rd. Pukeatua is the peak just to the left of centre, with the rocky outcrop in sunshine just to the right of it.

Views towards the east from a small lookout near the track.

And looking north-west from a nearby vantage point.

The quad bike track is fairly steep in places, and the gravel can be slippery when going downhill. But it is wide and well-formed.

There are bridges over two small streams along the way. The first one almost taken out by a falling tree.

Back at the junction with Te Raki track, near the northern entry.

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari seen from Maungatautari Rd after the walk. Still with some cloud cover near the summit.

The GPS tracklog shows the route followed, with Te Raki track to the east, and Wairere Traverse (quad bike track) to the west.

Total distance was 8.1 km, with a total time of 3 hours 25 minutes, including a 25-minute lunch break at the summit. Individual distances and times were:
Carpark to northern entrance: 850 m, 15 minutes.
Carpark to summit, Te Raki Track: 3.6 km, 1 hour 40 minutes.
Summit to carpark, Wairere Traverse: 4.5 km, 1 hour 20 minutes.

Lowest elevation at carpark about 250 m, at summit 797 metres.

The topographic map shows Te Raki Track, but not the Wairere Traverse track. Hicks Rd is at the upper right corner of the map.

The track was walked on March 19, 2016.