We are pleased to let you know about a number of walkways around our district. We have walks for strollers, for walkers, hikers and for those who are confined to wheelchairs.

WHANANAKI COASTAL WALKWAY

McAuslin Road, Sandy Bay (Walking Track) 2 hours, one-way, walking, good shoes recommended.Follow a well-graded track through farm-land and along coastal ridges. There is beach access to Sheltered Bay. The Capitaine Bouganville monument is on the headland north of Oruaea Bay and is easily reached from the walkway. The track ends at Whananaki spit reserve. If you continue along the spit to the entrance of the Whananaki Estuary, you will find a foot bridge that takes you to Whananaki North settlement.

WHALE BAY (Path)

30 minutes return, well maintained track, easy walk from Beachstay Matapouri. Whale Bay, an idyllic white sand bush fringed beach, with pohutakawa boughs as seating; a west facing beach, Also views of Whale Bay and up the coast towards Cape Brett, so striking at dusk. Track leads from the end of our road, through groves of ancient Puriri trees and in October, Kowhai heavy with bright yellow flowers.

MATAPOURI BAY TO WHALE BAY (Walking Track)

45 minutes loop/return. You will probably want to stay on the beach for a while, good shoes recommended, somewhat steep if you access from the Pebbly Bay North end of Matapouri Beach.Walk north along Matapouri Beach towards Pebbly Bay and on your left you will find the stepped track. Enjoy the views through the native tropical bush and across the water to Woolley’s Bay and beyond. The track leads along the ridge and down to Whale Bay. This entire area is a public reserve. The beach provides safe swimming, good snorkelling and the peace of no road access. Return via Ringer Avenue, allows a loop return via a clearly defined track through native bush.

MATAPOURI BAY HEADLAND (Beach Walk, Rock Climbing, Fishing, Snorkelling)

A walk to the north end of Matapouri Bay, follow the curving sea brink round to a low saddle through to Pebbly Beach and let its’ semi-precious stones warm your body after a swim.  Carry on around Matapouri beach to Marsden beach to Marsden cove (named after Samuel Marsden, the pioneer missionary) where a track leads to a tunnel, a rocky cove and an island, and leads out to the deep Mermaid pool on the headland.   

MATAPOURI BAY ESTUARY  (Beach Walk, Kayaking & Snorkelling)

A walk to the south end of Matapouri Bay, don’t overlook the crystal clear estuary. At high tide an upstream snorkel from the bridge provides an experience like a coral reef excursion; very clear water and fishes swimming through mangrove tree branches. There is plenty for a careful observer armed with mask and snorkel to discover. Two factors combine to make water clarity much better in this estuary than in most. Because the estuary is small, it disgorges little sediment, hence the coastal water with which the twice-daily tide fills it is clear; and the bottom is more sand than mud, so there are fewer fine particles to cloud the water. An hour each side of high tide is the best time for exploring the Matapouri estuary. At low tide the flow is reduced to a trickle down the main channel, and most of the resident animals take shelter until the tide returns. When the tide is in full flood or ebb, the water movement is too strong for photography and observation to be practical. Set off an hour before high tide from near the mouth of the estuary and the current will carry you gently upriver; then, after the tide has turned, it will waft you effortlessly back to your starting point.

TUTUKAKA HEAD  To the Lighthouse (Walking Track)

1 hour return, good shoes recommended, chose an hour either side of low tide (weather conditions permitting). Access to the car park and reserve is via a right of way off Matapouri Road, 400m past the turn off to the Tutukaka Marina. A grassy track follows the headland out across the reserve where many trees have been planted over the years by local school-children. Seating is provided in several spots; there are views to the left of the track of the Poor Knights Islands.The descent to the beach is stepped and well-maintained, leading to a rocky/pebbly causeway across to Kukutauwhao Island. You can reach this beach whatever the tide is doing.Close to low tide cross the causeway and follow the well-marked track which climbs up the side of the island to the beacon and great coastal views.Returning, via the causeway, you may like to take time to enjoy the beaches which stretch off to the right of the track before ascending once again to the grassy reserve. 

	Views to the Poor Knights, Sugar Loaf & The Pinacles Islands from Tutukaka Headland Walkway		Rocky Bay		Admire the views across the rocky causeway to Kukutauwhao Island

RAUHOMAUMAU BAY TO WILLIAM PARATA WALKWAY (Walking Track)

30 minutes one way, steep climbing walk, good shoes recommended.
There is grass track access to the beach from the end of Rauhomaumau Road; the track descends quite steeply and can be slippery. Turn right and walk along the pebbly beach to locate the access-way to Dolphin Place, the track is grassed and steep but well maintained. Turn right again and follow Dolphin Place 50m to the William Parata Walkway on your left. The climb to the Trig station is steep but the stunning views at the summit make the climb worthwhile. Enjoy panoramic views of the Poor Knights Islands, Tutukaka Harbour, Ngunguru Sand spit (and settlement) and Tutukaka Heads.

Entrance to Rauhomaumau Bay		Magical rocky Rauhomaumau Bay		One of the amazing views from the Trig Station

TUTUKAKA ESTATES  Off Lawson Drive (Path)

5 minutes one way from Security Gate; short and steep, with an additional 6 minute circular bush walk at the top.
The views from the top are well worth the climb. From the security gate there is a steep walk up a concrete path to the top. Seating is provided for enjoying the magnificent views of the Ngunguru Sand spit, the Hen and Chickens Islands, Little Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula. The bush walk is well maintained and marked and follows the southern side of the hill.

View of Whangaumu Bay towards Ngunguru

WHANGAUMU BAY / NGUNGURU ESTUARY Te Maika Road (Walking Track)
40 minutes one way, easy beach walking, choose two hours either side of low tide for your walk. The access to the Lookout is from the south end of Whangaumu Bay settlement, a well maintained stepped track leads you to the lookout, where there is a seat and 360 degree views of Whangaumu Bay, Ngunguru Sandspit, Goat Island, Hora Hora, Pataua, Taiharuru and Whangarei Heads.  This is a great place for surf and storm surge views.  The grass ridge track leads you gently down to Red Rock Bay.  Stroll along these secluded beaches to Ngunguru.  Rocky outcrops and sheltered sandy bays make this walk a beachcomber’s favourite.

NGUNGURU MANGROVE WALKWAY (Path)

20 minute return, easy strolling, and wheelchair access.  Access the walkway either beside the Ngunguru Library or from Munroe Place. This walkway was created and is cheerfully maintained by the local community with the elderly and physically challenged in mind. A pleasant stroll through bush and across boardwalks through the mangroves. The grass is mown for ease and the native plantings create a safe and sheltered walk. Seating is provided.

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