The Mangorewa Ecological Area is a patch of unlogged lowland forest on the Mamaku Plateau, about 25 kilometres north of Rotorua on State Highway 36. The area is significant because most of the lowland podocarp forest that once covered the Mamaku Plateau was cleared or logged — Mangorewa is one of the few remaining stands, and DOC manages it as an ecological reserve to protect what survives. The Mangorewa Track loops through this forest and follows the Mangorewa River for part of its return, making for a varied walk through native bush and riverbed.
Practical Information
| Location | SH36 (Tauranga Direct Road), approximately 25km north of Rotorua |
| Managed by | Department of Conservation |
| Track | Mangorewa Track — 8.4km loop; approximately 5 hours; moderate |
| Entry | Free |
| Dogs | Not permitted |
| Car park | On SH36 at the track entrance — note: the track entrance is 500m north of the car park, across the road |
| Facilities | Car park only; no toilets on site |
The Mangorewa Track
The 8.4-kilometre Mangorewa Track is rated moderate and takes approximately five hours to complete as a loop. The route descends from the car park into the forest, following tracks through the lowland podocarp-hardwood bush before reaching the Mangorewa River. The return leg follows the riverbed — an interesting change of terrain, though it means crossing or walking through water in places, and the stones can be slippery. Sturdy footwear is essential and this section is best avoided after heavy rain.
The forest itself is the main attraction. Mangorewa contains mature rimu, kahikatea, tawa, and tree ferns — the species mix and scale of trees that would once have been widespread across the Mamaku Plateau before logging cleared most of it. Walking through Mangorewa gives a sense of what lowland Waikato–Bay of Plenty forest looked like before the twentieth century.
Access to the track requires a careful road crossing — the car park is on SH36 but the actual track entrance is 500 metres north, requiring pedestrians to cross the highway twice. Take care when crossing, particularly on a busy section of the Rotorua–Tauranga road.
Ecological Significance
The Mangorewa Ecological Area is protected specifically because it represents one of the few intact examples of Mamaku Plateau lowland forest. The plateau was extensively farmed and logged over the course of the twentieth century, leaving Mangorewa as a remnant — and a reference point for what the ecosystem once looked like at scale. DOC manages the area to prevent further disturbance and to allow natural regeneration to continue in the surrounding land.
Dogs are not permitted in the ecological area — this protects ground-nesting birds and the general ecological integrity of the reserve.
Where to Learn More
DOC — Mangorewa Track — official track information, current conditions, and access details.
DOC — Mangorewa Ecological Area — conservation background and area overview.
AllTrails — Mangorewa Track — user reviews, photos, and GPS track map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Mangorewa Ecological Area?
On SH36 (Tauranga Direct Road), approximately 25km north of Rotorua. The car park is on the highway; the track entrance is 500m north of the car park, requiring a road crossing.
How long is the Mangorewa Track?
8.4km as a loop, rated moderate, and takes approximately 5 hours to complete. The return leg follows the Mangorewa River bed.
Is the track suitable for beginners?
The Mangorewa Track is rated moderate — the riverbed return section can be slippery and involves some water crossings, so it is not recommended for inexperienced walkers or in wet conditions. Sturdy footwear is essential.
Are dogs allowed?
No — dogs are not permitted in the Mangorewa Ecological Area.
Is there a fee to enter?
No — the ecological area is free to visit.
Are there toilet facilities at Mangorewa?
There is a car park but no toilet facilities on site.
Mangorewa is one of the natural reserves accessible from Rotorua. See the Rotorua parks and reserves guide for other outdoor options, and the Kaharoa Conservation Area guide for another DOC-managed native bush walk northeast of the city.
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