Tauhara, Mt

Also known as none

This mountain stands above Taupo

List Status	Unofficial
Elevation	1,088 m (3,570 ft)
Location/List	North Island, New Zealand
Region	Central Plateau/Taupo
Location Coordinates	38° 41′ 42″ S, 176° 9′ 47″ E
Nearest Town/s	Taupo
LINZ Topographic map/s	BG36 Taupo
Geology	Volcano

Recommended Route
Duration	3 hrs return
Distance	6 km (3.7 mi)
Start/End Points	Mountain Road Carpark
Difficulty	Medium
Track conditions	Track, Farmland (shut any gates!)
Season	all year
Sights	Views, Bush, Lakes
Hazards	High winds
Number of Geocaches	1

Getting There

SH1 to SH5 near Taupo. Turn onto Mountain Road and follow to end (approximately 950m from SH5)

Google Earth Map

Route Options

Leave the carpark and follow the dirt road approximately 50m, cross two stiles and head up the hill across the field following the marked route. Keep following the track up the hill toward the green water tanks.

After this section, the track heads into the bush and climbs fairly steeply. When you reach a bench, you are at the halfway point. Once you reach the stream, you are about two-thirds of the way up.

The last section is easier and not very steep. There is a quite narrow section that is cut through the pumice from the last Taupo eruption (130AD). If you are claustrophobic, there is a trail around this spot that rejoins the main track just a few meters away.

A short distance later you will reach the summit trig and be rewarded with wonderful views of the central North Island on a clear day. You can also walk another 160m along the ridge to see some large rocky outcrops. (The last part may not be recommended for young children.)

Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the trig.