THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
Maintains many tracks and walks suitable for visitors based in the Kerikeri and Bay of Islands area.Check up-to-date track access with DOC, given the current Kauri dieback problems and potential temporary track closures.
Ph 09 407 0300, www.doc.govt.nz
1. RAINBOW FALLS TRACK
Length 3.5km, Time 1hr 30mins each way. Follow the north bank of the Kerikeri River from Kerikeri Basin and the historic Stone Store to the Rainbow Falls. You can also walk the track in the reverse direction, starting at the carpark at the end of Rainbow Falls Road off Waipapa Road. The track passes through stands of young kauri, totara and associated native vegetation. After passing the remains of an historic powerhouse, operated 1930-1967, you arrive at Wharepuke Falls, at the base of which is a popular swimming hole. Further along the river from Wharepuke Falls, the river track passes under the Heritage Bypass and on to a bench at tranquil Fairy Pool. Continuing on, you reach the spectacular 27m high Rainbow Falls. The track is accessible by wheelchair. No dogs allowed.
2. TE WAIRERE WATERFALL TRACK
(Return via Inlet Road and Pa Road.) Estimated 6km round trip, starting at the carpark below St James Church by Kerikeri Basin. Follow signs over the hill to the bottom of Alderton Drive, where you will find the Te Wairere Track sign. The 2km track to the Wairere Falls crosses a newly-built footbridge over the Wairoa Stream, following the stream through forest and past a series of swimming holes to the 20m high waterfall. From the falls the track continues upstream, emerging at the Cobham Road bridge. Turn left along Inlet Road and left down Pa Road to a walking track by Pagoda Lodge, returning you to the Basin carpark.
3. KORORIPO PA
Dating back before 1775 and the European settlement of New Zealand, Kororipo was, at one stage, the home pa of Hongi Hika, the famous Ngapuhi warrior chief. Just a short walk from Kerikeri Basinbe side The Pear Tree restaurant.
4. MARSDEN TRACK
2.3km, Time 40mins. The Marsden Cross stone monument, commemorating the first sermon preached in New Zealand on Christmas Day 1814, stands in Oihi Bay on the Purerua Peninsula. The track is signposted off Rangihoua Road, 36km from Kerikeri. It offers a rural trek across farmland with stunning views out over the Bay. It can also be reached by sea. A visit to Marsden Cross is an excellent family day out. Take a picnic and swim at the beach. The area has one of the largest kiwi populations in Northland, so leave your dog at home.
5. AKE AKE RESERVE (OPITO BAY)
Track length 1.4km, Time 30mins. The track begins at Opito Bay, 15km from Kerikeri. Enter Ake Ake Historic Reserve via a path between houses at the far end ofthe bay. A loop track leads to a small, secluded beach on the Te Puna Inlet, Lizzie Bay, and to a pa site with spectacular Bay views at Tareha Point.
6. CAPE BRETT TRACK
By land the track begins at Oke Bay, Rawhiti, and runs from there along forested ridges with spectacular coastal scenery. You will need 8 hours of daylight for the one-way distance of 16.3km. You can take a side track (1hr return) down to Deep Water Cove to enjoy a refreshing swim and snorkel. From Deep Water Cove onwards the track is more challenging, rugged and exposed. Although it is not far to the lighthouse from here, you will need about 2-3 hours. For more info and Hut fees.
Ph 09 407 0300
7. ST PAUL’S ROCK, WHANGAROA
Length 500m, Time 30mins one way. Starting from the carpark at the end of Old Hospital Road, the track traverses St Paul’s Rock above Whangaroa Township and provides superb views of the harbour. The rock was given its name in the 19th century due to its dome-like similarity to St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
8. WAIRAKAU STREAM TRACK, TOTARA NORTH
5.6km, Time 2hrs one way, return by boat. From Lane Cove you can return to Totara North via prearranged water taxi.
Ph/txt 027 680 5588 to arrange pick-up. A mediumgrade walk starting at Wairakau Road, 400m along Campbell Road in Totara North. The track follows an old road to the top of the hill, then downhill through regenerating bush set amongst rocky bluffs to the Wairakau Stream. The track then skirts the mangrove-lined Wairakau Estuary to Lane Cove. Here there is a day shelter, toilets and the DoC-adminstered Lane Cove Hut. Before reaching Lane Cove you may choose to detour to 9 (Duke’s Nose and Kairara Rock).
9. DUKE’S NOSE & KAIRARA ROCK
750m, Time 1hr return. The track follows the stream behind Lane Cove Hut up a fairly steep gradient to where a handrail has been installed to assist the climb to the top of the Duke’s Nose. This is not for the faint-hearted and a reasonable level of agility is necessary for thelast 10 metres, but the spectacular views over Whangaroa Harbour’s western arm are worth the effort.
10. WAITANGI TO HARURU FALLS
Starting at the Treaty Grounds, walk along the bush-clad banks of the Waitangi River to horseshoeshaped Haruru Falls. Māori legend tells of a taniwha (water monster) which lives in the lagoon below.
11. OKIATO TO RUSSELL
An 8.2km off-road walking track around the inner Bay of Islands, encompassing Paihia-Opua-Okiato-Russell and back to Paihia via the ferry links and the existing Paihia-Opua coastal walkway. Visit www.boiwalkways.co.nz. Hilly sections require a good fitness level. Points of interest include mangrove boardwalks, an historic manganese mining site, birdlife, coastal wetland, vineyards and oyster farms, finishing in NZ’s first capital Russell. Eateries on the way at Paihia, Opua and Orongo Bay in Russell.
12. MAHINEPUA PENINSULA
A comfortable 2hrs’ return walk. Surely one of the most beautiful walking tracks in the country, providing stunning, elevated coastal views. Drive 40 minutes north of Kerikeri on SH10, taking the Matauri Bay turnoff. Follow Wainui Road to small, gravel Mahinepua Road and park at the beach, 1km down this road. The track leaves from the far end of the beach; cross over a stile, up the gravel road and follow a farm track on private property to the beginning of the Peninsula track.
13. URUPUKAPUKA ISLAND
Of significant historic and cultural importance, pest-free Urupukapuka Island is also a great place to relax or to enjoy water sports at one of the many beaches. Otehei Bay on the island is accessed via a quick ferry transfer that enables you to spend a leisurely day. Hire a kayak, walk the tracks and enjoy the white sand beaches, perfect for swimming. Relax on the beanbags and enjoy refreshments from the beachfront cafe.
14. WAIPOUA FOREST
This short walk leads you under the cooling shade of the forest canopy to majestic Tane Mahuta, New Zealand’s largest living kauri. Not far into the walk, a sweeping corner on the track suddenly brings you face to face with the ‘Lord of the Forest’. Your first sight of this magnificent tree is breath-taking; pause for a while and drink it in.
15. WAIMAMAKU COASTAL TRACK
This track follows a rugged and dynamic coastline from Arai Te Uru Recreation Reserve southwards to the Waimamaku River. Historically significant, this path used to be the main route for traffic before roads were built inland for travellers heading up the coast from further south. The track branches off Signal Station Track. It heads down to open coastline before climbing up onto high bluffs extending southwards down the coastline. From there the track heads down to wide-open sandy beaches and over small headlands, skirting along clifftops before eventually heading down to Waimamaku Beach and the mouth of the Waimamaku River. The views of the coastline and the Hokianga Harbour are exceptional, as are the many opportunities for fishing.
16.TARONUI BAY RECREATION RESERVE TRACK
3.7km one way. This track starts approximately 16.2km north of Kerikeri. Turn off Kapiro Road into Purerua Road, then Hewitt Road. The reserve is signposted on the corner of Hewitt Road, with a carpark at the entrance. The track is mostly flat and well-formed, it does include inclines and some scrub. You will cross three stiles on the way. There is no vehicle access to Taronui Bay. You can only walk to it at low tide along the Taronui Recreation Reserve Track. Signs and orange warratahs along the beach mark the route. No Pets,
Camping or Shooting are allowed in the Recreation Reserve.