Potaema Track

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Marios Gavalas

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Stratford, Taranaki

Camping near Stratford

Information

1 km return | 30 minutes return

Potaema Swamp is one of many such mires on the slopes of Mount Taranaki. The swamps act as sinks, holding water and filtering it before slowly releasing it back to the streams. It is the largest of the mires on the lower slopes and is encircled by a forest of rimu, rata and kamahi.

Walking Track

Access

In Stratford, turn into Pembroke Road, signposted Egmont National Park The Plateau. The Department of Conservation Area Office is on the left after 8.2 km, 1.7 km before the entrance to Egmont National Park.

The Mountain House is 4.5 km inside the park boundary, 4.5 km below the Plateau Carpark at the roadend.

The start of the track is signposted from the parking area 1.7 km from the park entrance. There are picnic tables close by.

Track

An elaborate boardwalk is raised above the swamp and terminates at a platform amongst the flax and tea tree.

Flora

Raised boardwalks take you through lush lowland forest made up of rimu-rata/kamahi, kahikatia and mountain totara/pokaka. The track leads to a large lowland bog that sustains a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Kahikatea is also a notable species bordering the swamp, exploiting its fondness for wet feet. Manuka, flax and lancewood grow on the edges of the wetland.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Taranaki

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Stratford

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-39.315773583755

174.152104759216

Latitude
-39.315773583755
Longitude
174.152104759216

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	From 500m to 1km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? From 500m to 1km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? From 500m to 1km
Track Duration	10 to 30mins Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins
Track Difficulty	Easiest walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Disabled Access	Disabled access provided Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? Disabled access provided This location provides access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? Disabled access provided This location provides access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.