Te Mata Peak
Te Mata Peak
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,716 reviews
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NA- Australia
Dandenong, Australia1,073 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Walked from the gate car park, and took the light blue trail. About 2.5 hrs and the weather for us was an autumnal fine and dry, so no slipping a sliding, but you still need good shoes/boots and watch where you put your feet. Seeing so many people with children doing this was a bit of a leveller. It is challenging. You will work up a sweat. Take some water with you.., You cannot really get lost. The redwood grove is lovely. Views from top great..
Written 27 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren
Hamilton, New Zealand11 contributions
Feb 2021
Visited this weekend with friends. Driving with care is needed and parking limited at the summit but the view is well worth the trip. We went for the sunset and the view was stunning! Recommend heading up at least 30minutes or so early if you plan to view the sunset as it does get busy. The gate up is closed at 10pm so don't stay too late.
Written 8 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GeneralShamu
New York City, NY1,275 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Round trip drive form the base to the top and back is about forty minutes. Only need about fifteen minutes at the top to take in great views, unless you want to have a picnic, etc...
The views from the top are totally worth it, so time budget this into your day's itinerary.
The views from the top are totally worth it, so time budget this into your day's itinerary.
Written 4 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doris G
Noumea, New Caledonia59 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
A must-do hike. We chose the red route, affordable but which requires good physical condition, counterclockwise, at the end because it climbs well! But it can be accessed by car to the summit for people who do not want to hike but enjoy the magnificent, dominant and 360-degree view. A stop at the café on the way back is also nice!

Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hannah
Christchurch, New Zealand263 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
In my opinion, it offers the best and the easiest reach urban hilltop view in New Zealand. It is so great to be able to drive up to the top, and you can choose to bike and walk up. Even though you don’t want to go up, you can still enjoy the view from the bottom of the hill (specifically from Craggy Range)
It has amazing view and great spot for sunrise and sunset.
If you would like to have light on the peak and ridge, you’d better go there in the morning or at latest early afternoon.
It has amazing view and great spot for sunrise and sunset.
If you would like to have light on the peak and ridge, you’d better go there in the morning or at latest early afternoon.
Written 14 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SamanthaBlossom
New Zealand103 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
This place is amazing. There is no fee to enter, and if you love hiking and the outdoors you'll love this spot. The tracks from the main carpark are well sign-posted, and the view up at the peak is incredible. We did a small hike from the main carpark, then drove up to the peak. Once there we got to watch the hang gliders launching and flying around. Our 7-month-old really enjoyed herself.
Written 24 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
epwchan
Sydney, Australia61 contributions
May 2022
Te Mata Peak is amazing and we ended up go there twice in two days. The trails offer beautiful scenery in every direction. They relatively easy to walk and there are choices of longer or shorter ones. It is easier accessible by car. Parking was easy both times we went. Suggest going there early in the morning with the sun shining on the slope of the peak. If you are going for the trails, you can park your car and enjoy the great views.
Written 8 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SussexCherries
St Leonards-on-Sea, UK173 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Breathtaking 360 degree view, worth the slightly hair raising drive to the top.
Lots of people walked the last bit as the narrow road is only wide enough for one car. It’s ok if you’re an expert at reversing! Having said that it is well worth it when you get to the top. A truly incredible experience!!
Lots of people walked the last bit as the narrow road is only wide enough for one car. It’s ok if you’re an expert at reversing! Having said that it is well worth it when you get to the top. A truly incredible experience!!
Written 19 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonie C
Wellington, New Zealand260 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
This is the 2nd time at Te Mata Peak and it never disappoints.
We arrived quite early before sunset and enjoyed the views taking various photos.
Plenty of parking and a great hill to challenge if you want to bike up and down. Great tracks for walking which plenty of people chose to do. We weren't the only people up here for sunset. A must see anytime of the day
We arrived quite early before sunset and enjoyed the views taking various photos.
Plenty of parking and a great hill to challenge if you want to bike up and down. Great tracks for walking which plenty of people chose to do. We weren't the only people up here for sunset. A must see anytime of the day
Written 27 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fawneyes
Tauranga, New Zealand45 contributions
Jan 2022
Just amazing views in every direction. You get a really good perspective of the surrounding area from so high up.
You can drive to the top or walk on one of the many tracks.
Take care on the road up and down - its not two lane width the whole way up, You need to give way in one of the little pull in bays.
Also popular with mountain bikers and runners so be aware of others using the road too.
Even if you only have time to drive to the top to take a few quick photos it should definitely be on your list of things to do if you are in the area.
You can drive to the top or walk on one of the many tracks.
Take care on the road up and down - its not two lane width the whole way up, You need to give way in one of the little pull in bays.
Also popular with mountain bikers and runners so be aware of others using the road too.
Even if you only have time to drive to the top to take a few quick photos it should definitely be on your list of things to do if you are in the area.
Written 24 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason R
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Hi my partner and I would like to get some photos in the Large Redwoods part of Te Mata Peak. Can anyone tell me what is the shortest track to get there and roughly how long it would take to walk.
Written 14 January 2019
Hi Jason R. We did this recently and the purple track round trip from the main carpark is about 1 hour. The Redwoods were in two groves we went through and would probably be between 30-45 minutes in. I hope this helps
Written 14 January 2019
Hi, any public transport can access? I'm going alone without a driving license...
Written 16 March 2018
You can walk for about an hour one way, (low tides). There is a time chart at the entrance to check the timing.
Written 22 March 2018
Hi everyone, I'm looking at doing a family photo shoot at The Redwoods and was wondering how long it takes to walk to them from the lower car park? Thank you :)
Written 20 July 2017
Depends on whether you're carrying a lot of equipment or have younger kids. I'd say to allow 30 minutes if so. Maybe a bit more if you have some among you sort of side-tracking off the trail from time to time - I would suggest that you take a snack and a wine as well - on a nice day the place just lends itself to a peaceful stop with refreshments while the kids run around nice and safe
Written 22 July 2017
How do we get up there from the cruise ship port? We do not want to use the excursion the ship
offers
Written 21 October 2015
Is there a lot of walking involved to get to the top, and is there a car park ?
Written 7 September 2015
You can drive right to the top if you like, plenty of car parking at the top. The road to the top is quite narrow and windy however, so take care. However if you do wish you can walk to the top. Wouldn't take long for someone of moderate fitness to walk to the top.
Written 10 November 2015
Is it ok to drive a motorhome to the top of Te Mata peak, or is it to narrow.
Written 14 February 2015
Just about wide enough but might be too steep
Written 22 March 2015
Hi , is it safe to drive a motorhome to the top of the peak.
Written 13 February 2015
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