I do love it when locals give me recommendations for hiking tracks - I first heard about the Matatā Scenic Reserve Track back in April 2021. Uncle Google wasn’t much help at the time and whoever had told me about it wasn’t exactly sure where the track started. I decided to pop into Drift Coffee to top up my caffeine levels and ask the locals if they could give me better directions. They sure did, even better, the woman behind me told me how her dad runs up the track regularly and had put milk bottle caps as wayfinders. I also learned that parking was at the end of a cul-de-sac and the track actually started on the other side of the train tracks.
There’s now a carpark at the corner of SH 2 Matatā Road and Manawahe Road. To the right of the train tracks is a short dirt track leads to a grass clearing, the start of the track is marked by an orange triangle on the tree. You can fit a few cars on the grass clearing, but it just depends on if it’s been mowed recently. The track wasn’t on NZTopo50 back in 2021, but I see there was new data loaded in October 2025. Over the years, I’ve walked the track in 1.5 hours at my fittest, but recently it took me almost 2.5 hours. It’s an elevation gain of about 220m, so prepare for the burn. At that height, you’ll also get great views of Moutohorā Whale Island and even Whakaari White Island if it’s not too hazy.
It was a hike of two halves. As a deskfit-creative, it felt like one mighty scramble (at times I just crawled) up to the ridge. There were plenty of tūī around enjoying the rewarewa flower’s sweet nectar. On the plus side, I did see a few skinks on the way up. I don’t usually see them, but then again, my face is rarely that close to the ground either. There’s a nice, shaded junction at the end of the scramble, it’s a lovely spot for a snack break. At the junction, go right to continue the loop track. Going left follows trap/monitor lines and takes you deeper into the bush for another kilometre then comes to a forest clearing.
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| My legs thought this was a great spot for a break. |
With jelly legs on the way down, some ridiculous bum sliding followed. Sometimes familiarity with a track can be a saviour and a curse - a few years ago I walked this track as a much fitter woman and saw it as a good challenge. Last weekend, my turtle pace really got into my head. Then Six60’s words popped into my head…
The worlds gonna keep on turning
There's nothing you can do
Why do you keep on searching
It's right in front of you
Time flies
Open your eyes
And enjoy the view
Enjoy the view by Six60
The best views of Moutohorā Whale Island are definitely on this side of the loop track.
I thought I was on the home stretch when I spotted the gorse gauntlet about 10 minutes from the stream. Like my old friend the ongaonga, gorse and I go way back. Looking down at my bare legs, this was definitely a ‘no fall’ zone. It’s only short anyway, and as long as you don’t fall, she’ll be right.
The lovely morning breeze was gone, and a searing midday sun greeted me when I got back to the car park. I reckon I had earned a potato top pie for that effort, so I quickly swapped my boots and socks for the comfort of my Crocs and headed home.
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