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Wilkies pool guide

==the cj way++

The CJ way Guide to Wilkies Pool

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 AT A GLANCE 

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Rockpools at the base of Mount Taranaki

Egmont National Park

20 minutes from parking

Easy walk to rockpools, medium at rockpools

Free

Best time to visit: low tide and sunset

Sneakers are best

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 WHERE IS THIS EXACTLY? 

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  • Coordinates of carpark: (-39.3240698, 174.1036242)

  • Coordinates of Pool: (-39.3162965, 174.0949157)

  • Park at the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre and begin the walk from there.  Wilkies pool is a 20 minute walk along a well signed track, and once you get to the bridge, you can opt to continue climbing up the rocks and explore pools further upstream. 

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 best time to visit? 

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  • We think the afternoon is best! Any time from golden hour through to Sunset.

  • Every time we’ve visited at sunrise fog or low cloud has been covering Mt Taranaki and it’s super cold if you are walking through the water!  Plus the afternoon also gives you more time to monitor the forecast!

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 cj travel tips 

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  • If you have a self contained camper van you are permitted to camp in the Dawson falls visitor centre car park!

  • If you visit after rain the stream is flowing and creates a beautiful series of waterfalls.

  • Check the forecast here and pay attention to the cloud cover and fog cover. 

  • We prefer to continue climbing past Wilkies pool and shoot the Little Rock pools with Mt Taranaki in the background

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 cj photography tips 

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  • If you have a smart phone or GoPro, set this up at the start and get an awesome Timelapse of the clouds (you will likely have clouds haha) moving around Mt Taranaki.

  • A tripod and polarising filter are absolute musts here!

  • Be prepared to wade into the water to find a good composition with a great reflection.

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 what we found useful to pack 

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​In addition to the usuals (camera gear, suitable clothing, water and food, first aid, etc. we found the following items useful for Wilkies Pool:

  • Watershoes were really useful for climbing the rockpools

  • Towel (you will get wet feet haha); and

  • Jersey/Jacket (as you are at the bottom of Mount Taranaki it can get chilly). 

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