Finding your way around Mauao
Read about the story of Mauao and how to get around. This guide features a map, track names and locations and places of significance.
Mauao - map and guide brochure (5.26mb pdf)
Walking track information
We encourage visitors to take water, wear a hat and sunscreen, leave gates as you find them and take all rubbish with you. Tracks are busy, so please keep left and share with care.
Te Ara Tutanga (base track)
Te Ara Tutanga (base track) is 3.4km and takes about 45 minutes to walk. This loop track will take you right around this extinct volcano and can be walked from either direction, from Pilot Bay (Waikorire) or Main Beach (Hinekite Takutai). Please take care as there are areas with steep drop-offs and rock falls.
Te Tihi o Mauao (the summit of Mauao)
Mauao is 232m high, and can take around 45 minutes to get to the top. There are several tracks to the summit, these are identified below. Pace yourself and take extra care climbing the summit of Mauao.
View from Te Tihi o Mauao (the summit of Mauao)
Te Ara Motukauri (4WD track)
The Te Ara Motukauri (4WD track) starts at the end of Pilot Bay. You can use this track to walk to the summit. Vehicles are not allowed except for maintenance and emergency purposes.
The Motukauri track can be steep and slippery in places. This track does not feature stairs. Shoes with grip soles are recommended.
View from Te Ara Motukauri (4WD track)
Waikorire and Oruahine tracks
Both of these tracks start from the ocean side of the Te Ara Tutanga (base track). Follow the boardwalk in front of the surf club near Mount Main Beach to the start of Te Ara Tutanga (base track). The summit climb begins a few metres from the end of the boardwalk.
The Waikorire track is the quickest and easiest route to the summit. It is a steep track with a lot of stairs. Turn right at the lookout intersection to go to the summit.
The Oruahine track ends part way up Te Ara Motukauri (4WD track). Turn left onto Te Ara Motukauri (4WD track) track and continue to the summit or turn off the track, then turn left at the lookout intersection to go to the summit. To assist your climb, you will find wayfinding signage across the maunga.
The view at the top is worth the effort!
Key information about Mauao
Manaakitanga
We encourage behaviour and activities which are mana-enhancing towards the maunga, including, generosity, care, respect and reciprocity. Please enjoy Mauao for culture, nature, fitness and wellbeing, reflection and mental health.
Accessibility
Our disabled whānau and friends can also enjoy the views from the summit of Mauao summit and other locations - all from the comfort of an all-terrain wheelchair. Te Kaiwhakatere – TrailRider is a single-wheeled mobility transport supporter. The single wheel supports the rider’s weight while the handles at the front and the back allow two, three or four helpers to guide the rider up and down tracks.
TrailRider bookings and information
Toilets
For cultural reasons there are no toilets located on Mauao. There are toilets in front of the surf club near Mount Main Beach and opposite the boat ramp at Pilot Bay. Please be sure to use these before enjoying your walk.
Driving and parking
You cannot drive up Mauao, parking can be found in nearby streets, along Pilot Bay and along Mount Main Beach. Public transport options are also available close by.
Dangers
Parts of Mauao are prone to rock falls and landslips. Caution is recommended at all times, especially in wet weather or significant storm and swell events.
Emergency markers
There are 75 rescue markers on Mauao, these help to make it easier for emergency services to locate anyone that has fallen or suffered a medical event on the maunga. The markers are clearly located on wooden posts, gates and seats, the markers are all within 50metres of each other and are hard to be missed. We encourage everyone to be mindful and take note of the nearest marker number when passing.
If there is an emergency event on Mauao call 111. All markers have associated GPS coordinates so that emergency services can identify exactly where on the maunga the call-out squad need to be.
Emergency markers - getting help on Mauao
What’s not permitted on Mauao
- Dogs (except service dogs)
- Horses
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Fireworks
- Fires
- Camping
- Biking
- Rock climbing
- Scattering of ashes
- Drones
- Vehicles are not allowed except for maintenance and emergency purposes.
Activities requiring permission
- Filming
- Commercial activities