Last updated May 2026
Kaweka Forest Park is the substantial DOC-managed backcountry park inland from Napier — covering most of the Kaweka Range with tramping tracks, huts, river fishing, hunting and the popular Mangatutu Hot Springs and Mangatainoka Hot Springs. Access is via Puketitiri and Makahu Roads about 75 km north-west of Napier on partly unsealed roads. The park is one of the closest substantial backcountry destinations to the Napier urban area and a foundation of the wider Hawke’s Bay outdoor scene.
Practical Information
| Location | Inland Hawke’s Bay — Makahu Road is ~75 km north-west of Napier via Puketitiri and Pakaututu Roads |
| Access road | Last 9 km on unsealed gravel; ~1 hour drive from sealed road; not suitable for caravans or campervans |
| Park size | Substantial — covers most of the Kaweka Range |
| Tracks | Day walks, multi-day tramps and substantial backcountry routes |
| Huts | DOC huts throughout — fees apply, book via DOC website |
| Activities | Tramping, hunting, fishing (rivers), rafting/kayaking, hot springs |
| Mobile coverage | Limited to non-existent — bring PLB or InReach for emergencies |
| River crossings | Makahu Road has a river ford 7.5 km from the road end — impassable during heavy rain or snowmelt |
About Kaweka Forest Park
The Kaweka Forest Park is the substantial public conservation land covering most of the Kaweka Range — the bush- and tussock-covered ranges that form the inland boundary of the Hawke’s Bay region. Managed by the Department of Conservation, the park supports the headwaters of multiple major Hawke’s Bay rivers (Mohaka, Ngaruroro, Tūtaekurī), substantial native bush, and a comprehensive network of tramping tracks, huts and routes.
The park is one of the closest substantial backcountry areas to the Napier urban area — a substantial day’s drive from central Napier puts you into genuine wilderness. The most-visited access point is via Makahu Road, off Pakaututu Road, off Puketitiri Road — about 75 km north-west of Napier and a 1.5–2 hour drive. Makahu Road carries the trailheads for the two main hot-springs walks (Mangatutu and Mangatainoka) plus several substantial multi-day routes.
Highlights
| Mangatutu Hot Springs | Drive-in DOC basic campsite with 10 tent sites and free hot pools; short steep track from campsite to the springs |
| Mangatainoka Hot Springs | Walk-in hot springs via the Te Puia Hut Track — overnight or full-day option |
| Te Puia Lodge | DOC hut at the end of the popular Te Puia Hut Track |
| Makahu Road Circuit | Multi-day tramp via Makino Hut and Te Puia Lodge |
| Mohaka River | Substantial river through the park — popular for trout fishing, rafting and kayaking |
| Hunting | Deer (sika, red), pig, goat hunting throughout — DOC permits required |
Access and Conditions
Access to most of Kaweka Forest Park is via Makahu Road, which is the last 9 km on unsealed gravel after sealed Puketitiri and Pakaututu Roads. The road is not suitable for caravans or campervans, and 4WD or all-wheel-drive is recommended particularly in winter and after heavy rain. The river ford on Makahu Road, 7.5 km from the road end, can be impassable during heavy rain or substantial snowmelt — check before driving in.
The full Napier-to-road-end drive takes around 1.5–2 hours. Allow extra time on the unsealed sections, and check current conditions on the DOC website before heading out.
Hot Springs
The two hot-springs experiences are the park’s most popular drawcards:
- Mangatutu Hot Springs — drive-in to the DOC basic campsite, then a short steep track down to the hot pools. Thermal water issues from a deep hole in an undercut bank near the top terrace. Free to use; campsite fee applies if staying overnight.
- Mangatainoka Hot Springs — walk-in via the Te Puia Hut Track. The substantial track makes for an overnight tramp staying at Te Puia Lodge, with the hot springs as the reward.
Both are basic natural hot pools — bring everything you need, no facilities at the springs themselves.
What Visitors Often Say
Reviewers consistently mention the Kaweka Forest Park as one of the most accessible substantial backcountry destinations in the central North Island — the combination of substantial native bush, the two hot-springs walks, the Mohaka River trout fishing, and the Te Puia Hut Track tramping options gets praise from trampers, anglers and hunters. The remoteness once past the river ford gets mentioned often.
Practical tips that come up most: don’t drive Makahu Road in a campervan or caravan (it’s not built for them, 4WD or AWD recommended), check the river ford condition before heading in (it becomes impassable after heavy rain or snowmelt), and bring a personal locator beacon — mobile coverage is non-existent across most of the park.
Where to Learn More
DOC — Kaweka Forest Park — official park page with current notices, track information and access conditions.
DOC — Mangatutu Hot Springs Campsite — official campsite page with access notes and fees.
DOC — Te Puia Hut Track and Mangatainoka Hot Springs — official track page for the walk-in springs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Kaweka Forest Park from Napier?
The Makahu Road access is about 75 km north-west of Napier — a 1.5–2 hour drive including the unsealed final 9 km.
Can I drive to Mangatutu Hot Springs?
Yes — Mangatutu is a drive-in DOC campsite at the end of Makahu Road, with a short steep track from the campsite down to the hot pools.
Is Makahu Road suitable for campervans?
No — the road is not suitable for caravans or campervans. 4WD or all-wheel-drive recommended, particularly in winter.
Are the Kaweka Forest Park hot springs free?
The hot springs themselves are free. DOC campsite fees apply for staying overnight at Mangatutu, and hut fees apply for backcountry huts.
Is there mobile coverage in Kaweka Forest Park?
Limited to non-existent. Carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) or InReach satellite communicator for emergencies.
Can I hunt in Kaweka Forest Park?
Yes — deer (sika, red), pig and goat hunting is permitted throughout the park with a DOC hunting permit.
What’s the difference between Mangatutu and Mangatainoka Hot Springs?
Mangatutu is drive-in (short walk from the campsite). Mangatainoka is walk-in via the Te Puia Hut Track — overnight tramping option.
For more Napier day trips, see the day trips hub. The drive-in Mangatutu Hot Springs is the easiest introduction.
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