Lake and Forest Walks

Cave Walk New Plymouth: Short Bush Walk to a Manganui River Overhang

Last updated November 2026

The Cave Walk is a short bush walk in Everett Park Scenic Reserve that leads through lowland forest to the edge of the Manganui River and a large, shallow cave overhang. The track starts on Everett Road, about 10 minutes’ drive from Inglewood, just past the reserve’s northern entrance.

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Under an hour
No dogs

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DOC grades it an easy to intermediate walking track and allows 20 minutes. Near the river the track splits, with one branch to the cave and river views and the other to a sandy riverbank. The reserve is about 19 km from New Plymouth.

Track Facts

Check DOC before you go

Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Cave Walk on the day you walk.

Current alerts on DOC

Walking time20 minutes

DOC gradeEasy

Track length600 m return via the same track

DogsNo dogs

Track typeWalking track

Practical Information

Start: Everett Road, 3 km down the road on the right, just past the Everett Park northern entrance
Distance from the city: about 19 km from New Plymouth (10 minutes’ drive from Inglewood)
Walking time: 20 minutes
Track length: 600 m return via the same track
Grade: Easy to intermediate
Dogs: No Dogs
Parking: Limited off-road parking next to the track entrance
Managed by: Department of Conservation
Status: Open when checked on 18 October 2026. Check DOC before you go.
Track markers: On marked bush tracks, DOC and most councils use orange triangles for the walking route. Triangles or tape in other colours, usually pink or blue, mark pest-control lines and traps. They can lead off the track, so don’t follow them.

About Cave Walk

This is a small walk with a clear reward at the end. From Everett Road the track heads into lowland bush thick with supplejack and parataniwha, crossing several small bridged streams on the way down towards the Manganui River.

Getting There

From Inglewood, head east along Tarata Road, turn left onto Bristol Road and then left onto Everett Road. The Cave Walk entrance is 3 km down Everett Road on the right, just past the Everett Park northern entrance. DOC notes there is limited off-road parking next to the track entrance.

The nearest toilets are at the Everett Park southern amenity area, about 3 minutes south along Everett Road.

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Under an hour
No dogs

Questions about Cave Walk 2

Is the Cave Walk a loop, or do you come back the same way?

The NakiCity guide

It's not a loop. You walk 600 m return on the same track. Just before the river it splits, left to the cave and river views, right to a sandy riverbank.

Is the Cave Walk doable in a wheelchair, or is the track too rough?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Cave Walk take?

DOC allows 20 minutes for the walk.

How hard is it?

DOC’s track page grades it an easy to intermediate walking track. The track crosses several small bridged streams on its way through the bush.

Where does the Cave Walk start?

On Everett Road, 3 km down the road on the right, just past the Everett Park northern entrance. It is about 10 minutes’ drive from Inglewood.

What is at the end of the track?

The track splits just before the Manganui River. The left branch goes to a large, shallow cave overhang with views down the river, and the right branch goes to a sandy riverbank.

Are dogs allowed?

No. DOC’s rule for this track is No Dogs.

Is there parking and a toilet?

There is limited off-road parking next to the track entrance. The nearest toilets are at the Everett Park southern amenity area, 3 minutes south down Everett Road.

Is the track open?

It was open when we checked on 18 October 2026, with no DOC alerts. Check the DOC page for current alerts before you go.

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