Te Aroha township, developed in the 1880s as a spa town, has 22 springs, 15 of which are hot.
The Domain retains the look of Edwardian times with formal gardens and many of the old
bathhouse buildings. Mt Te Aroha is the highest point in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park at
952m.

Attractions and Facilities


Howarth Memorial Wetland Loop Walk

(Easy walking, 1hr return) The main access is at the Old Railway Bridge across the Waihou
River. Other access points are at the netball courts at Spur Street, Stanley Road and
Ritchie Street.This attractive wetland wildlife refuge has been created by local members of
the Fish and Game Association from a swamp formerly used as a rubbish dump.

One successful
result has been the establishment of a native grey teal population. The track meanders
around a pond, with boardwalks giving access to hides and great places to view grey teal,
kingfisher, pied stilt, white faced heron, pukeko and black shag.

Te Aroha Domain

The domain, on Boundary St, hosts two walks.The Lower Walk (20mins one way) and the
Upper Walk (25mins one way) can be combined for a 45min loop track. Both start at the
Mokena Geyser, the worlds only hot soda water geyser. The Lower Walk visits the No. 21
magnesia spring, once used to treat stomach ailments, and the No. 20 iron spring, for
anaemia.The Upper Walk continues, visiting a large kauri tree before descending steps and
returning to No. 21 spring.

Te Aroha Mountain

(Steep and rough in places, 2-4hrs return) This walk starts as the Whakapipi Lookout walk
(1.5hrs return) from the Domain and finishes at the Mount Te Aroha summit. From the lookout
the track dips through a small saddle, then climbs to the summit. As the track climbs the
forest changes, with rimu and miro becoming more common. Still higher, silver beech and
nei nei become noticeable.The summit has spectacular 360° views over the Kaimai Range and
the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions. Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Taranaki are visible on a
clear day.Return by the same track or take the Ridge Track/Tui Track back
to the Domain.

Please Remember

Horses, Vehicles (including bicycles and motorbikes), fires, removal of plants or animals,
and hunting without a permit are not permitted in the Forest Park. No dogs are permitted in
the Forest Park except for hunting, with a current permit. Mine tunnels and shafts are
dangerous and may be hidden by vegetation.Keep to official tracks and do not enter tunnels
unless they are clearly marked for public access.