Maungatautari is an exciting place to visit – at 3,400 hectares it is the site of the largest restoration project on mainland New Zealand involving the total eradication of introduced mammalian pests. In the future it will have the widest range of native wildlife – all protected from pests.

It’s a big mountain, so to make sure that our visitors enjoy their time on the mountain we have built wide metalled walking tracks in the southern and northern enclosures. It means you can spend a few hours on the mountain or the whole day.

For the more adventurous there is the walk across the mountain (see summit walking tracks) with the opportunity to see the views from Pukeatua Peak.

Note that while there is a new section of track from Tari Road to Pukeatua peak the remainder of the over-the-mountain track is the original forest track - you must be prepared to scramble over tree roots and up and down hill sides which are slippery when wet.

Wherever you are on Maungatautari enjoy! You will get t o experience a restoration project which is already saving New Zealand’s threatened species. Takahe, kaka, kokopu (native fish), hihi ( stitchbirds) and popokatea (whiteheads) have been reintroduced onto the mountain. While the kiwi will be sleeping during the day keep an eye out for kaka, kereru (wood pigeons) as they swoop through the forest, and tomtits and fantails which are often seen along the track edges.