Wairere Boulders Nature Park

Bay of Islands & Northland


At Wairere, massive basalt rock formations have been eroded into odd fluted shapes by the acidity of ancient kauri forests. Allow 40 minutes for the main loop track; expect a few dips and climbs. An additional track leads through rainforest to a platform at the end of the boulder valley (1½ hours). The park is signposted from SH1 and Horeke; the last 3km are unsealed.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bay of Islands & Northland attractions

1. Māngungu Mission

2.11 MILES

Completed in 1839, this sweet wooden cottage contains relics of the missionaries who once inhabited it, and of Horeke’s shipbuilding past. In the grounds…

2. Village Arts

3.2 MILES

A sophisticated surprise in such a small place, this volunteer-run gallery fills a restored heritage building with ever-changing exhibitions – mainly from…

3. No 1 Parnell

5.44 MILES

Occupying a century-old corner building originally built as a grocery store, this upmarket commercial gallery exhibits interesting work by local artists…

4. Clendon House

5.44 MILES

This pretty cottage was built in the bustling 1860s by James Clendon, a trader, shipowner and magistrate. After his death, his 34-year-old half-Māori…

5. St Mary’s Catholic Church

10.75 MILES

Catholicism arrived in Aotearoa in the form of well-respected French bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier, who celebrated NZ’s first Mass at Totara Point…

6. Tāne Mahuta

16.12 MILES

Near the north end of the park, not far from the road, stands mighty Tāne Mahuta, named for the Māori forest god. At 51.5m, with a 13.8m girth and wood…

7. Te Waimate Mission

16.16 MILES

Set in verdant farmland 18km (20 minutes) southwest of Kerikeri, this pretty little cottage holds several claims to fame. It's NZ's second-oldest house …

8. Te Matua Ngahere

16.49 MILES

From the Kauri Walks car park, a 20-minute walk leads past the Four Sisters, a graceful stand of four tall trees fused together at the base, to Te Matua…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "new-zealand/horeke-around/attractions/wairere-boulders-nature-park/a/poi-sig/1160350/1317394",
      "destination": "Bay-of-Islands-&-Northland",
      "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
      "country": "New-Zealand",
      "region": "Bay-of-Islands-&-Northland",
      "position": "superzone"
    }