Tararua Range

The Tararua Range is a rugged mountain range on New Zealand’s lower North Island, northeast of Wellington, known for hillwalking and backcountry tramping. It forms a prominent natural barrier between the Wellington and Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa regions.

Local Māori have long-standing cultural connections with the range; European settlement in the 19th century brought hunting, logging and later recreational tramping. Formal track and hut development expanded in the 20th century under conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives.

The Tararua Range lies northeast of Wellington on the North Island, with common access points from the Tararua Forest Park roadheads in the Wellington and Wairarapa districts.

• Safety and conditions: Weather is changeable and can be severe; prepared tramping gear and knowledge of route conditions are essential for safety.
• Access and services: Well-served from Wellington and northern Wairarapa for day trips and multi-day tramps, with established trackheads and hut facilities managed by the Department of Conservation.

What to See #

• Tramping network and huts: A series of peaks and ridgelines popular with trampers, featuring marked tracks, backcountry huts and river valleys used as route approaches.
• Notable peaks: Mount Hector and Mitre are among the range's frequently visited summits and serve as common waypoints on multi-day routes.