People are being encouraged to embrace the outdoors in the Tauranga area with a range of walks and camping sites highlighted in the Department of Conservation's Forest Park Guide Book.

Peter Huggins of the Department of Conservation says there are a range of walks and camping sites highlighted in the park guide for people to enjoy this summer.
Photo by Bruce Barnard.

The book says the 37,000 hectare Kaimai-Mamaku area is a spectacular place that hosts a broad range of vegetation. It is also home to native birds such as the blue duck, kaka, kokaho, kiwi and karearea.
To enjoy these sites, the book recommends walks that cater for a range of fitness levels in the Tauranga area, including the Kaimai Heritage trail, the Karangahake Gorge and the Mount Te Aroha walks.
Department of Conservation programme manager Katrina Knill says these walks are fun, free and diverse – but she recommends that people research the walk description, before setting out.
'People need to take into account their fitness levels, and then accordingly choose a walk for novice or experienced walkers,” says Katrina, who also notes the walk duration should be considered.
'There are short walks which take half an hour, and long walks that can take multiple days.”
Hunting is also welcomed in the area, as deer, pig and goat can be found within the area, but a licence must be obtained from the Tauranga DOC office before setting out to do this.
Katrina says there are some wonderful camping spots in the Kaimai-Mamaku area too.
'The Dickey Flat campsite is a camping favourite, but there are also huts that can be accommodated throughout the park.”
Hut tickets can be purchased from Tauranga visitor centres, some outdoor camping stores, or from the DOC office.
For more information on the Kaimai-Mamaku walk tracks, visit www.doc.govt.nz