Essential Information For Your Trip to Nuku Walk!
This page is designed as a comprehensive list of information for those who have booked the Nuku Walk. Please use this page to share with others travelling in your group.
Day 1 Meeting Point
From Mangatoa road turn onto Waikawau Rd and just as you cross the bridge there sits the Red Cottage on your right (4 Waikawau Rd) - your accommodation for the evening. All the information on driving and flying directions is available on our Booking & Contact page.
What to bring
Do not bring too much! Recommend one travel pack, and one daypack.
Sleeping bag
Day pack (to carry water, lunch box and jacket)
Sunhat, sunscreen
Substantial sized water bottle
Rain jacket
Beverages (alcoholic or non alcoholic – cans instead of glass please. Wine bottles are OK. Any to be put in fridge please pack in seperate chilly bag.
Swimsuit and towel
Warm clothes for changes in weather
Hiking boots or trail shoes (with good tread)
Phone/camera
Personal toiletries
Walking poles (recommended)
Lunchbox
Jandals/Slides/Sandals for accommodation
Snacks for evening if preferred.
Luggage
To make your experience as comfortable as possible, we transport your luggage for you—so you’ll only need to carry a light day pack while walking. Your bags will be waiting for you at your accommodation, and if you'd like, we can have your drinks or snacks chilled and ready on arrival.
Please note: due to limited space on our shuttles, we kindly ask each person to bring just one small bag, weighing no more than 12kg. A soft-sided chiller bag (one per couple) is also allowed—please avoid bringing large, hard chilly bins.
Your bags are loaded and unloaded multiple times during the trip, so lighter luggage makes a big difference and is much appreciated. Where possible, choose cans instead of glass for your refreshments.
If you're combining the Nuku Walk with other travel, we recommend packing a smaller bag specifically for the trip and leaving the rest in your vehicle. Sleeping bags don’t need to be packed inside your main gear bag.
Purchasing Food To Bring
As the Nuku Walk is located in a very remote area, we recommend stocking up on food and drinks in the larger nearby towns of Te Kuiti or New Plymouth before arriving. Our local shops have very limited supplies and may not carry the variety or quantity you need, especially for group trips. Planning ahead and purchasing essentials in these towns will ensure you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Dietary Requirements
We will do our best to cater for your dietary requirements, but request that you get in touch with us ahead of time in order that we can plan around it. More information on food on our Food & Accommodation page.
Nuku Accommodation
All three nights of accommodation are comfortable, clean and unique from one another. We have detailed our accommodation and inclusions on our Accommodation & Food page.
Linen
We supply a bottom sheet on the mattress and a pillow and pillowcase. We also supply a fresh bath towel and facecloth each night. We ask you to bring a sleeping bag.
Walk Itinerary
We have provided a day by day walk itinerary on our Walk Itinerary page, please review it for a breakdown of the walk and the terrain you’ll walk through.
Flying into Auckland Airport
It takes 4 hours minimum from Auckland Airport and allow 2 hours from New Plymouth airport to drive to your arrival meeting spot, at 4 Waikawau Road; arrival is between 3pm- 6pm. Due to most travelers having a long journey, ‘arrival day’ does not include walking though there are options.
For return flights, please review our homepage map with drive times in order to ensure you will safely meet your airport departure time (usually 1 hour prior to domestic flights, 2 hours prior to international flights is recommended by the airline). Our walk itinerary concludes at lunchtime on Day 3.
Nearby Places To Visit & Stay
WAITOMO
Waitomo is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Famous for its magical glowworm caves, underground rivers, and dramatic limestone formations, it offers a truly unique experience found nowhere else in the world. Whether you're exploring the caves by boat, ziplining through native forest, or simply soaking in the serene rural landscapes, Waitomo is a place where natural wonder meets unforgettable adventure. On your way, why not check out these popular spots? Marokopa Falls, Piripiri cave and the Natural Bridge, Marokopa and Kiritehere beach. For more, visit https://www.waitomo.com/
OTOROHANGA
Otorohanga is a charming rural town known as the "Kiwiana capital of New Zealand," offering a warm welcome and a taste of true Kiwi culture. It’s the perfect base for exploring the nearby Waitomo Caves, and home to the Otorohanga Kiwi House, where you can see New Zealand’s iconic native birds up close. With friendly locals, quirky shops, and beautiful surrounding countryside, Otorohanga is a great stop for those wanting an authentic, relaxed New Zealand experience.
AWAKINO
Awakino is a tranquil coastal village nestled along New Zealand's west coast, offering visitors a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. The area is renowned for its rugged black sand beaches, providing excellent opportunities for surfing and breathtaking views of west coast sunsets. The nearby Awakino River is a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts, known for catches like whitebait and kahawai. For those interested in local history, the Mokau Museum and Gallery, located just a short drive away, showcases the region's rich heritage. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, Awakino offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle.
Booking Alterations
All changes to bookings need to be communicated and confirmed by emailing hello@nukuwalk.co.nz. These include all of the following:
Name changes: Please email these through to us prior to arrival date
Adding extra people to your group: Please email us with details and we will add the person to your same booking and send them details on how to make the deposit.
Cancelling people in your group, or dietary amendments: Please email us the details and we are happy to make changes. If there is a leaders name and booking reference please include this. Please see our cancellation policy for more details, on our bookings page..
Changing dates: Please look at the website calendar and check availability (ensure adequate space for group size) and email us with your request. The calendar is on our bookings page.
Changing requirements: If you would like to add/change dietary requirements or any other things that we should know about please email us with these more than two weeks prior to arrival. Please mention your order number or date of arrival and the group leaders name.
Cancellation Policy
60 days or more notice – full refund minus $80 administration fee for cancellations (per refund transaction made)
60 – 30 days’ notice – your deposit of $200 will not be refunded
0 – 30 days’ notice – no refund will be given
We allow name changes on bookings right up until the arrival date, so if for some reason you cannot come, please feel free to find a friend that might be able to take your place and be sure to email us the change, hello@nukuwalk.co.nz.
Travel Insurance – it is recommended that you consider taking out domestic travel insurance.
Payment
Deposits – You are welcome to pay the $200 deposit as a group or individual payment.
Bank Deposits – Please state your name and booking reference number in the payment to account 02-0448-0069065-00
Full Payment is due 60 days prior to arrival date. You will be sent an email as a reminder. You can pay this either by credit card (link will be in email) or bank deposit. Please let us know at 60 days prior the details of your group members including any dietary requirements.
Contact
If you have urgent changes that need actioning within 6 hours, please phone Bridget on 027 2744779. She is often working on the farm or with guests, so the best way to get a quick response is via email. For any changes or enquiries please email hello@nukuwalk.co.nz. We will respond to you within 12 hours.