Mt Ngongotaha Nature Loop — Attraction in North Island

Got this recommendation for free hike from NZ pocket guide. We came here by bus in mid December 2022 to do this during our free time. Bus driver looked puzzled with our request stopping here but still nice to offer some directions just in case

Not sure what happened but found the entrance locked and inaccessible, grass were also overgrown as well…. heh just returned to the bus stop instead. Not sure if track has been maintained now over the new year but just throwing this out in case anyone...

Great walk after a rainy night. Decent amount of space in carpark, toilets are just up the track a bit. Work had been done to clear the track of fallen trees so was very easy to follow and navigate. Everything was so green and mossy, just beautiful. Added the track upto the summit which wasn't a difficult addition and worth is because the sun was out so had a quick snack at the top. Easy to complete in well under 3hrs with a lot of stopping to lookat at birds and the giant...

Apart from the minimalist carpark, it's actually a great walk through sheltered native bush. Either an approx 2.5-3km moderately hilly loop from carpark or a decent 2.7km return trek up to the top of Mt Ngongotaha. No good views from the top as the trees have grown, but there is one over the city near the start of the ascent. At dusk you can hear quite a number of native birds. There are a few trees down that require climbing over, so not wheelchair or...