Te Puru: Track, Coast and “The Mother Tree”

The Te Puru Track heads from Te Puru Creek Road towards Crosbies Hut; the waters off the coast are habitats for snapper, kahawai and kingfish. Te Puru Domain is also home to a giant pōhutukawa called “The Mother Tree”. These different themes make Te Puru an interesting destination for a range of travel plans: you can focus on a longer hike, spend time with boats and water, or discover a remarkable natural feature. If you’re looking for accommodation, it helps to first consider which of these experiences you want to shape your stay.

The Te Puru Track and Crosbies Hut

The Te Puru Track starts at Te Puru Creek Road in Te Puru and climbs steeply from there to the upper ridge. The route includes several stream crossings and can also get quite muddy. Do not walk it after heavy rain. Check the Department of Conservation (DOC) for current conditions before setting out.

The Te Puru Track connects with the Tapu Summit to Crosbies Hut Track and continues on to Crosbies Hut. The distance from the Te Puru Track to the hut is given as 8.9 kilometres, with a walking time of five hours. The steep climb, stream crossings and potential mud provide important context about track conditions. The estimated time and current track conditions should therefore both be part of your planning.

Pool area, boat ramp and coast

At the end of Te Puru Creek Road is a large pool with a family area. A path leads from the pool area to several smaller pools where you can cool off. Conditions on the path and in the water can vary; check them before swimming.

The Te Puru Boat Ramp is designed for boats and trailers with a maximum length of seven metres. Mussel farms are a 15-minute boat ride from the ramp. The coastline is home to snapper, kahawai and kingfish. Puru Boat Club Inc. holds fishing competitions every year in late December and on Easter Sunday. If you’re planning your stay around a competition, check the current dates.

The pool, boat ramp and coastal habitats offer different ways to spend time by the water: from cooling off in the smaller pools, to taking a boat trip to the mussel farms, to observing the fish habitats off the coast. Which option suits your trip depends on what you want to focus on.

An exceptional tree in Te Puru Domain

Te Puru Domain is home to a giant pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) known as “The Mother Tree”. Its average crown width is 58.50 metres. The tree offers a different focus from the track and the water: here, the emphasis is on the size of a single pōhutukawa. For nature lovers, it adds a local point of interest that is distinct from the walking route and boating options.

More perspectives in the Thames-Coromandel District

The Thames-Coromandel District also offers a range of themes for a trip. The Hauraki Rail Trail is 160 kilometres long and spans the Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako districts. The 34-kilometre section from Thames to Paeroa passes through lush farmland. When planning, you can distinguish between the trail across multiple districts and the section described here. Check current route information before planning a specific cycling trip.

The landscape of the Thames-Coromandel District includes dramatic topography and coastline, native forests and diverse coastal settlements. For a cultural focus, visit the Thames School of Mines in Thames: the complex is nationally significant as a rare and well-preserved example of its kind. Its location has spiritual, cultural and archaeological significance and is especially important to Ngati Maru. The Band Rotunda in Victoria Park, Thames, has also been used for more than a century for musical performances and related events.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hot Water Beach, Pauanui, Hahei, Coromandel, Whitianga, Opoutere, Colville, Tapu.

Go to the main travel overview: Thames-Coromandel District.