Posts Tagged ‘Whangarei’

Whangarei Heads

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Sunday 7th March

Near to and over Kauri Mountain – Ocean Beach – along the tops at Whangarei Heads then around the foreshore to near Little Munro Bay – 29 km – 8.75 hrs

An early morning walk along a quiet rural road, then up and up a private road (with some misleading markings), but then reached the top of Kauri Mountain with coastal views off to the north. Down the other side, then after a short road stretch, clambered down onto Ocean Beach, with Bream Head and the rest of the Whangarei Heads peaks clearly in view. Getting on for high tide, so had a bit of a scramble up an unstable bluff to get down to the last stretch of the beach that has public access. Collected some more gear in anticipation of a blustery tramp along the length of the hills at the Whangarei Heads

In the event it was a hot climb, and very up and down once at the top, so grateful to find that the track at the tops is mostly in bush, but enough views and glimpses of the sea a long way below to
get a feeling of height. Some amazing rocky outcrops – Bream Head – Matariki – and on towards Mt Lion. Super views to the north, the south, and coming down Mt Lion, the nearby bays and past Marsden Point and up the Whangarei Harbour. A real knee killer of a track coming down, so a time to be slow and careful. No wind, so that extra gear … had a good ride !

Reached my pickup point for the day at the road end, but after a short break, I dumped my pack and boots, donned sandals, and walked for an hour on the next section of Te Araroa, to the point where it came to within 140m of our motel.

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Ngunguru to near Kauri Mountain

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Saturday 6th March

near Ngunguru to near Kauri Mountain – 35.7 km – 8 hours

Today was mostly a road walk day, starting from 2.3 km west of Ngunguru (near Tutukaka), with 10 km on the road to Whangarei to get to the head of the Ngunguru estuary, and then head back along a minor road to the start of the Mackerel Forest Walk.

That started off pleasantly through a pine plantation that looks set to get the chop soon, down to the Waitangi River – the walk description said knee / thigh depth, but actually was not much more than ankle deep – very dry right now. Then followed the stream on the edge os a logged area, with the track being that bit harder to follow, and with gorse to make it that more … interesting. Some swampy areas too, before climbing up through a mature forest and out onto my next road.

This headed off to the Horahora Estuary (mangroves galore) and then around to Pautaua where again the only way across the estuary was via a footbridge – with people jumping off into the turquoise river below (picture). Then on to the Tahururu Estuary getting close to high tide, so not being a strong swimmer, the alternative to the Te Araroa low tide route took me to the corner of Tahururu and Pautau roads.

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Tony walks Te Araroa – Post 12 –

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Thursday 4th March – On to Whananaki – 30 km – 8 hours

Now in the Whangarei section of Te Araroa. From the Russell Walkway through Mokau to Helena Bay, then some backroads to the start of what will soon be an officially complete Morepork – Onekainga Track.

The first section was an old forest road winding through fairly open manuka scrub – shade much appreciated on a hot day. I had then been well briefed on the turnoff to the new section – made, but not officially marked. So, with help from the Te Araroa map and my GPS I found that track that took me to the end of the DOC area, and then handed me over to the welcome orange markers through private land, taking me first to the Onekainga trig for a super view out to sea, and then down after not much longer through a paddock of Charolais cows and calves onto the Whananaki road.

A pleasant diversion after a short distance onto the Estuary walk, to meet Hazel near the longest pedestrian bridge in the southern hemisphere across the Whananaki Estuary.

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Along the East coast to Waipu Day 9-11

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Roland’s Long Walk – Along the East coast to Waipu

Day 9: Along the East Coast

A nice day walking along the East Coast with some of the best track I’ve had yet. Too bad I waited so long to find a camp and ended up holed up in a rough bush patch.

Day 10: Whangarei Heads

A long road detour on hot pavement took up much of the day. This put me at the low tide only mangrove swamp path near the high tide point. Waist deep muddy walking before I gave up and worked my way around. Finally camping at the Southern end of Ocean Beach.

Day 11: Whangarei to Waipu

Spent most of the morning carefully conserving my water as it has been many km since I last filled up. Got lucky  as I came down to the water and two guys were about to head out fishing and gave me a ride across the channel.  After a long straight hot beachwalk met Sarah in Waipu for pizza, yum.

Check out the Waipu Pizza Barn – best lamb and mint pizza you can find!  And loved the Tartan decor.

Be sure to follow Roland’s Adventure directly from his blog here