Kaimai North-South Track

Wonderful views once you're north of Wairere falls - particularly of you take the old ridgeline track rather than the newer one that skirts the eastern faces. Great views I remember were: From the nzds hut at Stokes peak and from there over tops to Kauritatahi Hut The entire section over the volcanic plugs from Thompsons Track to Te Rereatukaiha Don't miss out the Karangahake Gorge either. Spectacular ex mining tramway cut/tunneled into sheer cliffs over the river.

You're right in thinking that it is mostly bush. As Madpom said above, north of Thompsons Track there are quite a few clearings along the ridgeline where you get views on a clear day. However the views are not nearly as spectacular as what you get further south in the Ruahines etc. What views you do get are pretty much all the same: flat Hauraki Plains to the west (although I've heard you can see other mountains in the distance on a very clear day - haven't been in luck myself) and Tauranga Harbour / Matakana Island / Waihi Beach to the east. If you enjoy tramping in the bush then the Kaimais are very interesting, but if it's spectacular views that you are after then head south. If you take the new track via the Wharawhara valley there are no views north of Te Rereatukahia hut. If you stick to the ridgeline there are a few more views. The old north-south track from Te Rere Hut through to Wairongomai / Pylon track has just been cleared although it is still a very rough track. I did this trip south-north earlier this year and was pleasantly suprised at the variety and interest of the route. My trip report can be found at http://waitakathlete.blogspot.co.nz/2016_02_01_archive.html