Guide to the Wilkies Pools Loop Track

Join thousands of RV travellers

Sign up for our Go By Camper newsletter to receive inspirational travel content and awesome deals, and we'll send you a copy of our Ultimate RV guide!

Thanks

Please confirm subscription in your email.

Why do people go to Wilkies Pools Loop Track?

Wilkies Pools is a family-friendly loop in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki / Egmont National Park, starting above Dawson Falls Visitor Centre. The track winds through the lush “goblin forest” (moss-draped kāmahi and ferns) to a series of small, lava-scoured plunge pools on the Kapuni Stream - a classic short walk that feels immersive and photogenic without a big time commitment. The first section is formed and accessible, making it popular with a wide range of visitors.

For families, casual walkers, and anyone keen to experience the magic of Taranaki without tackling a long or technical hike, this is a quintessential adventure.

How long does it take to walk the Wilkies Pools Loop Track?

With a loop that’s approximately 2-2.5 km, most people take around 1.5 hours, depending on pace. Allow yourself an extra 20 minutes to reach the pools, on the formed section. If you like to linger for photos, listen to the stream, or take a snack break near the cascades, allow toward the upper end of that range. If you plan to include Dawson Falls in the outing, set aside 1.5 to 2 hours for a combined circuit of around 4 km and a little more elevation.

Families with young children often enjoy walking the first, gentler section toward the pools and returning the same way, which can be done comfortably in under an hour with brief stops.

How to get to Wilkies Pools Loop Track

Wilkies Pools sits in the Dawson Falls area of Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki on the southern side of Taranaki Maunga.

From New Plymouth: It’s roughly 35 to 40 km away, approximately a 1-hour drive. From Stratford, allow around 30 minutes. Follow signs toward Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki and Dawson Falls, then drive up Manaia Road to the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre, which serves as the primary trailhead for the loop.

The final approach climbs into the park on a narrow, winding road that can be slow going when visibility is low or traffic is heavy. Drive with care, keep an eye out for oncoming vehicles around tight bends, and be ready to yield where the road narrows.

Best time to visit Wilkies Pools Loop Track

The loop walk is good to do year-round, but Taranaki Maunga weather is changeable. Rain, wind and low clouds can roll in quickly at any time. After heavy rain, stream levels rise and some sections may become impassable, so make sure to always check conditions before you go.

Time of day: Mornings often bring calmer conditions and softer forest light. During/after rain, the forest looks vivid, but the rocks around the pools can be extremely slippery. Exercise caution, take care and avoid entering the water in unsafe conditions. Whenever you go, aim for early morning or late afternoon for a calmer experience and the best chance of dramatic light on Taranaki Maunga if the sky clears.

Weather at Wilkies Pools Loop Track

The weather in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki is famously changeable. Clear views in the carpark can give way to misty forest within minutes, and showers can arrive quickly from the coast.

Spring through summer: This time often offers more settled conditions and longer daylight hours, ideal for enjoying forest shade and views of the mountain. Even in high summer, the pools remain cold, and the forest stays lush, so you get the full atmosphere without the winter chill.
Autumn: Can be quieter, with fewer people on the track and soft light under the canopy.
Winter: During this time, many prepared visitors hike the track, but encounter icy steps, snow on the roadside verges, or very cold temperatures.

Always check a park-specific forecast and be prepared with warm layers and rain protection even on fine days. Good footwear is important on the steeper, rockier sections and around the pools where splashes make surfaces slick.

Best place to park your campervan at Wilkies Pools Loop Track

You can park at the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre car park (toilets available). Day parking is straightforward for campervans.

Overnighting: At Dawson Falls road-end, self-contained vehicles are permitted in designated areas under DOC rules; otherwise, you can use a holiday park in Stratford/Kāponga. Always follow any DOC/NPDC restrictions.

Need to know tips

No dogs/pets: Pets are prohibited anywhere in Egmont National Park, including in vehicles at DOC car parks within the park. Do not bring dogs to Wilkies Pools.
Safety at the pools: Rocks are algae-slick, and the water is cold year-round. Do not treat the pools as a waterslide area; injuries occur on wet rock. Assess conditions conservatively and supervise children.
What to bring: Grippy footwear, warm/waterproof layers, snacks and water. Mobile coverage is patchy; so if you’re walking solo, make sure to inform a friend or a family member, and check in with them when you’re back.

Swimming and safety at Wilkies Pools

It is important to understand that Wilkies Pools and nearby Dawson Falls hold high cultural and spiritual significance for local Māori. Visitors are respectfully asked not to enter the water at these sites.

Enjoy the formations from the banks, take your photos, and leave the pools undisturbed.

FAQs and quick answers

Where is the Wilkies Pools Loop Track?
At the Dawson Falls end of Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki / Egmont National Park, off Manaia Road, starting just above the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre.
How long is the Wilkies Pools Loop Track?
Most people take about 1.5 hours to do the loop, 20 minutes to reach the pools; distance 1.9–2.4 km depending on route.
Is Wilkies Pools suitable for prams/wheelchairs?
Yes, in part. The first 900 meters to the pools is buggy/wheelchair-friendly; the remainder is not.
Are dogs allowed?
No. Dogs and other pets are not permitted in Egmont National Park.
Can stream crossings close the loop?
Yes. Sections can be impassable after heavy rain; check the DOC brochure/visitor centre and turn back if conditions are unsafe.