Sentinel Rock Lookout Track follows the old Tuahu packhorse route up through kauri forest in the Kaimai Ranges to a lookout with wide views towards Tauranga. It is a solid 6km return, about four hours at an easy pace, rated medium for the tree roots and the steep final pinch. DOC does not recommend pushing on to the true summit.
Quick facts
Parking at the Hot Springs Road car park
The walk starts at the same car park as the Tuahu Track, at the end of Hot Springs Road, about 8km south of Katikati. Head south out of Katikati and turn right into Hot Springs Road. Stay left at the fork by the campground and keep going to the end of the road. It is sealed the whole way and the car park is not huge, so get there early on a weekend. Do not leave anything visible in your car, break ins do happen out here.
Walk through the gate at the end of the car park onto a wide, well formed track, the same one used for the Tuahu Track. If rain closes in or the summit is socked in with cloud, Classic Flyers Aviation Museum – Entry in Tauranga is a solid wet weather backup that still makes the day worthwhile. This track is one of several covered on the Katikati Walks hub page.
Finding Sentinel Rock on the topo map
The topo map of Sentinel Rock is a bit misleading. The summit looks like it sits much closer to Motutapere Hut than it actually does, we have walked to that hut too and the summit is well above it. On the map the first marker with the tramper icon is where the formed Sentinel Rock Lookout Track stops. Everything past that point is the unmarked route to the summit, and that is the part DOC does not recommend climbing.
The Tuahu Track and its giant kauri tree
The Tuahu Track was once an old Maori bridle track, dating back to around 1890, running from the Bay of Plenty up over the Kaimai Ranges to the Waikato. Families such as the Duncans, Halls and Thompsons used to ride it from Te Aroha to compete in the Katikati A&P show, arriving Friday afternoon, riding Saturday, dancing that night once the trophies were handed out, then riding home Sunday nursing a hangover.
About 10 minutes in there is a good creek to tip out your chlorinated town water and refill with the real thing, it ran clear and sweet when we did this walk. The turn off to Sentinel Rock is a pleasant 20 minutes from the car park. Take the Kauri Loop Track here if you have time, it rejoins the main track further along and passes through a grove of young kauri on a boardwalk.
Past the Kauri Loop Track the going is standard Kaimai fare, plenty of tree roots waiting to trip you up and damp, thick bush closing in on both sides. The walk has a genuine bonus along the way, you pass right by Tuahu, a giant kauri thought to be around 600 years old. Its first limb is 12.8m off the ground and the trunk is a slim 2.7m through at the base.
Past Tuahu the next turn off comes up within minutes, cross the bridge and take the track to the left. At an easy pace it took us 1 hour 10 minutes from the car park to reach Sentinel Rock Lookout. Keep an eye and an ear out for fantail, tom tit, wood pigeon and tui through this stretch, we heard more than we saw.
Views from the Sentinel Rock Lookout
The lookout itself is a great spot to stop, with views out across the Kaimai Ranges. On a clear day you can see all the way to Tauranga Harbour, on a cloudy one pack a warm jacket and just sit with a flask of coffee and something sweet, it is still a fine place to be.
Why the summit climb is not recommended
The sign at the lookout says the track to the true summit of Sentinel Rock is closed, and DOC recommends trampers do not climb it, the last stretch is steep and genuinely dangerous. I did carry on past the sign and the final 10m needs real caution, test every foothold before you commit your weight. From the lookout to the top takes around 20 minutes. The views from the actual summit are better again than from the lookout, but this is not a climb for anyone unsure on their feet or walking with kids.
When to walk the Tuahu Track
This is a Kaimai bush walk, so it suits a settled, dry forecast more than most, the roots get slick and the lookout view disappears into cloud in bad weather. If you enjoyed the native bush and want more time outdoors in the area, a Scenic Lake McLaren Kayak Tour makes a gentle follow up on a Kaimai area lake.
Dogs, toilets and track safety
Dogs are not allowed on this track. There are no toilets at the car park or along the way, so sort yourself out in Katikati before you leave. Mobile coverage is generally good along the route. Both the Tuahu Track and the Sentinel Rock Lookout Track are currently open, elsewhere in the park a rahui related to kauri dieback is still in place on the Wharawhara Tramway Track and the Te Rereatukahia Hut Track, but it does not affect this walk.
Common questions
Is the Sentinel Rock Lookout Track currently open?
Yes. Both the Tuahu Track and the Sentinel Rock Lookout Track are open, the only closures in the wider park under the current kauri dieback rahui are the Wharawhara Tramway Track and the Te Rereatukahia Hut Track.
Is kauri dieback a risk on this track?
DOC’s own survey work has confirmed the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park, which this track sits within, is free of the kauri dieback pathogen. It is still good practice to use the cleaning stations and check your boots before and after, that is what keeps it that way.
Where do you park for this walk?
At the car park at the end of Hot Springs Road, shared with the Tuahu Track. It can fill up on fine weekends since it is also the entry point for other popular Kaimai tracks like the North-South Track, so aim to arrive early.
Can you walk to the summit of Sentinel Rock?
You can, but DOC does not recommend it. The last 10m is steep and exposed, take your time and test each foothold if you choose to go up.
Are dogs allowed on the Tuahu Track?
No, dogs are not permitted on this track.
My honest take
I have walked this one a few times now and the kauri along the way are reason enough to come back, let alone the view. I will admit I ignored the sign at the summit turn off, the scramble is short but it is no joke, so only go up if you are sure footed and the ground is dry. Four hours return is a fair effort for 6km given the roots and the climb, my legs know about it the next day. Afterwards a soak is exactly what is needed, Fernland Spa – Main Hot Pool Entry is the easy option to ease tired legs, or book the Private Thermal Hotpool Entry – Fernland Spa if you would rather have the pool to yourselves. For something a bit more done up, the Signature Soak Entry – Fernland Spa is another way to recover in comfort after a day on root filled tracks.
Other walks near Katikati
Thompsons Track Walk, another short bush walk near Katikati township. Ananui Falls Track, nearby bush walk in the Kaimai foothills behind Katikati. Katikati Haiku Park: Riverside Poetry Walk, in Katikati township, short drive from the track. For more options see the Katikati Walks hub page.
2 Responses
According to topomap, Sentinel Rock is on the other ridge near Motutapere Hut, not where you described.
Hi Ronald, thanks so much for your feedback. We’ve taken a look at the Topo map and it’s not showing Sentinel Rock correctly, well it’s misleading. I’ve added a screen shot below the Google map location above to show this. When you are at the summit you look down on Motutapere Hut, it’s a lot lower. Hope that helps.