Hikurangi Must-Do's 2022-23

Whananaki Footbridge © Whangārei District Council

Whananaki Village is home to the longest footbridge in the southern hemisphere, this village sits halfway between Russell and Whangārei and is just 30 minutes north-east of Hikurangi. Divided into Whananaki North and South, both remote and peaceful spots rev up over the summer months.

Waro Limestone Lake is a two-minute detour off the SH 1. You’ll find picnic benches, a pontoon for jumping into the lake and the Yvonne Stewart Track littered with limestone boulders, that takes 30-minutes to walk.

Mount Hikurangi is not to be mistaken with its eastern namesake in Gisborne. This volcanic dome rises 365m out of the ground and is estimated to be 1.2 million years old.

The little Hikurangi Museum is jam-packed with quirky artefacts and photo exhibits such as ‘Weddings Through the Ages’ from pioneering days to modern times.

Whananaki Coastal Walkway is a three-hour track to Sandy Bay. Detour to the Capitaine Bougainville Memorial, erected for the 16 people who lost their lives when the freight ship sank in 1975.

From Whananaki Village you can walk directly into the Motutara Recreation Reserve. There’s a campground, coastal tracks and small secret beaches. Snorkel at Toki’s Beach or go fishing.