11 minute read
9 TOP WALKS IN THE COROMANDEL, BAY OF PLENTY & TAIRĀWHITI GISBORNE
© AA Traveller 2021
1. COROMANDEL COASTAL WALKWAY
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Northern Coromandel © Destination Coromandel
Where is it? Start at Stony Bay, about an hour from Colville township, heading towards Fletcher Bay.
Terrain: Coastal bush paths with some steep sections.
Good to know: If you want to make it an overnight adventure, there are DOC campgrounds at Stony and Fletcher bays; if you don’t wish to carry a tent, there’s a backpackers at Fletcher Bay. Many rental car firms don’t insure beyond Colville, but there are several shuttle services and tour operators who can assist you on this walk.
Need to know: 3.5hr; 10km one way. Reasonable fitness required. Some steep sections. No dogs.
TRACK OVERVIEW: From the moment you start driving these narrow coastal roads along pōhutukawa-fringed bays, you’re deep into some spectacular scenery. This walk offers all manner of delights from regenerating native forest, dense bush, farmland and rocky coastlines. The views across the sweeping ocean go all the way to Aotea, Great Barrier Island to the north, to Cuvier Island out to the east and all the way down to Mt Moehau rising high above the peninsula. The gradient of the lovingly tended paths is mostly gentle but be prepared for a few steep sections, notably on the way to Poley Bay. Fantail Bay and Port Jackson with its pretty sandy beach are essential photo op stops, although the numerous wee coves are all very beautiful. Arguably one of the most beautiful short walks in New Zealand.
2. CATHEDRAL COVE WALK
Cathedral Cove arch © Adobe Stock
Where is it? Grange Rd, 2km from Hahei or 35km from Whitianga.
Terrain: Coastal paths, handrails in places, steep at times.
Good to know: Car parking here can be difficult in the height of summer.
Need to know: 90min return; 2.5km. Average fitness required. Undulating with some steps. No dogs.
TRACK OVERVIEW: Because this track is largely all downhill as it heads to the coast, getting there is easier than returning - but it is worth making the effort. After about 10 minutes walking, look for a sign that points to Gemstone Bay; there you’ll find a popular snorkel trail with information panels on buoys that tell you more about what you’re seeing in the water. If snorkelling isn’t on your agenda, keep walking for a further 20 minutes to a sign pointing to Stingray Bay; follow that direction to enjoy the clear waters and stingrays or keep on walking directly to Cathedral Cove, said by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in The Coromandel. Gaze at the view through the famous rock archway Te Hoho Rock, one of the most photographed outlooks in New Zealand. Be sure to wear sensible shoes, and if it’s summer take sunscreen, drinking water and your swimsuit.
3. KAUAERANGA KAURI TRAIL (PINNACLES WALK)
Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (Pinnacles walk) © Coromandel Tourism
Where is it? In the Kauaeranga Valley, 13km east of Thames.
Terrain: Bush tracks, rock steps, swing bridges, ladders.
Good to know: The Kauaeranga Visitor Centre is an excellent place to find information on track conditions, watch an audio visual display and visit the built-to-scale model of a kauri dam.
Need to know: 1-2 days. Good fitness level required. Challenging walk. No dogs.
TRACK OVERVIEW: From the 1870s to the 1920s, this peaceful forest echoed with the sound of intense milling, as regal kauri giants were felled for the growing nation. Today visitors can follow the old packhorse tracks that took supplies to the loggers. Walking through bush canopy and regenerating forest, hikers will see giant stumps, remnants from impressive kauri dams and tramlines, while the views from the towering Pinnacles (759m) are the highlight of the trail. You will need to put in some serious effort but the reward will be stunning views across The Coromandel and out to the east coast. Choose between walking there and back on the Webb Creek Track (6-8hr return) or take the Billy Goat Track (8- 10hr) and make a loop. This ruggedly spectacular walk is one of the country’s most popular overnight adventures.
4. KARANGAHAKE GORGE HISTORIC WALKWAY
Karangahake Gorge © Adobe Stock
Where is it? Set between the old gold-mining towns of Waihi and Paeroa, between the Coromandel and Kaimai ranges.
Terrain: Rocky paths, bush tracks, riversides, old rail corridors.
Take care: The Hauraki Rail Trail cycleway shares some of these paths, so keep your eyes and ears out for bikes. And take a torch for the tunnels.
Need to know: 45min loop; 2.5km or 4hr loop; 7km. Walk to suit every fitness level. Easy walking. Dogs on a lead permitted.
TRAIL OVERVIEW: Cross the swing bridge and then start exploring the trails. At 2.5km, the Rail Tunnel Loop is 90min of easy walking, starting at the Ohinemuri River and passing through native bush with two notable man-made marvels, the Crown Battery Site stamper, built in 1892 for crushing quartz, and an 1100m tunnel. The Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway is 7km, 4hr return, another easy walk that also follows the river with old gold-mining relics providing an archaeological atmosphere. This walkway includes three bridges, a waterfall, smooth river rocks and many swimming spots. The Windows Walk is 2km return with secret tunnels and those eponymous windows cut through rock to look out to the river. You’ll find numerous information panels which really help bring history to life. You’ll find numerous information panels which really help bring history to life.
5. TE AROHA SUMMIT TRACK
Where is it? Te Aroha, 55km north-east of Hamilton and 75km/one hour north-west of Tauranga.
Terrain: Steep, hard and rough. Wear sturdy footwear and expect to negotiate an old mining rail track, complete with discarded machinery.
Need to know: 3hr one way; 3.9km. Average fitness required. Undulating with some steps. No dogs.
TRACK OVERVIEW: Three hours into this uphill ascent and the track emerges at the summit of Mt Te Aroha. You’re in for a big, scenic reveal. Delivering 360-degree views across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, on a clear day you’ll see as far as Taranaki. Starting out from the Mokena Geyser in the Te Aroha Domain, the trail initially ascends relatively pleasantly for 45 minutes, soon reaching the Whakapipi Lookout for views over the patchwork quilt of the Hauraki Plains. From here, the track rapidly intensifies: a solid two-hour grunt to the summit which, as the highest point on the Kaimai-Mamaku range, stands 952m-high. On the way up, expect dense bush littered with fallen trees and a relentless gradient hell-bent on making your thighs scream. The return descent retraces the same track downhill but is noticeably quicker. If your muscles are feeling the drudge, you’ll be heartened to know Te Aroha’s soothing natural hot springs sit at the mountain’s base.
6. MT MAUNGANUI (MAUAO) SUMMIT WALK
Mt Maunganui © Adobe Stock
Where is it? Start at the Mt Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club at the base of the mountain in the Bay of Plenty.
Terrain: Well-maintained bush paths, some shingle and quite a few steps if you choose the steeper, quicker Waikorire track.
Need to know: 40min to reach 232m peak. Reasonable fitness required. Steep walk. No dogs.
TRACK OVERVIEW: No trip to Mt Maunganui is complete without a walk to this summit. Two of the most popular tracks are Oruahine and Waikorire and both begin at the base of the mountain on the ocean side, starting at the boardwalk just beyond the Surf Life Saving Club. Māori for ‘big mountain’, the walk up Maunganui, or Mauao, is challenging, but the views when you reach the peak make every drop of sweat worthwhile. Catch your breath while gazing out upon the entire western Bay of Plenty, south along the white sandy beaches of Papamoa, north toward the shores of Waihi and Bowentown and over to the port and Matakana Island. You can walk these trails any time of day, although sunrise and sunset are most popular. Māori also know the mountain as Mauao which means ‘caught by the dawn’. And if you feel like you’ve earned a reward, once you return to sea level, why not treat yourself to an ice cream, a soak in the hot pools, or if the season suits, a swim in the surf?
7. NGĀ TAPUWAE O TOI WALKWAY
Where is it? Walk from Whakatāne to Ōhope, starting at Rex Morpeth Park on Goulstone Rd, Whakatāne.
Terrain: There is quite of a bit of climbing, including some sections of steps, but the tracks are well formed, well maintained and well marked. If you do the entire walk you will need stamina, although you can do smaller portions.
Need to know: No dogs, this is kiwi country. 6-7hr; 16km coastal loop. Strong fitness required. Climbing with steps.
Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway © Bay of Plenty Tourism
TRACK OVERVIEW: Starting in Whakatāne, walk along urban paths for the first kilometre before turning onto Kohi Point Track where the uphill starts. At the top take a short detour to Kapu Te Rangi, and look out where you can see Whakaari (White Island) Putauaki (Mt Edgecumbe) and Mt Tarawera, then continue on down towards Ōhope Beach via Otarawairere Beach. This is much easier at low tide. Cruising along the beach for a spell, your next track to look for is the Fairbrother Loop then keep looking for the markers that will take you back to Whakatāne. During this section there is some impressive forest, as well as some quite demanding climbing. Once this region was the domain of the great chief Toi, when his empire was centred around Kapu-Te-Rangi, Pā of Gentle Breezes. This is one of the oldest pā sites in the country, and it was well chosen as the views make it ideal for defending.
8. LAKE WAIKAREMOANA TRACK
Lake Waikaremoana © Hawke’s Bay Tourism
Where is it? Located within Te Urewera National Park, 80km from Gisborne and 163km south of Rotorua.
Terrain: The track initially follows the lake edge and is uneven in places. Some steady climbs follow.
Need to know: 3-4 days; 46km one way. Moderate to high fitness required. Undulating terrain. No dogs.
TRACK OVERVIEW: Nestled within Te Urewera National Park, the Lake Waikaremoana hike is a Great Walk and multi-day excursion that takes in valleys, peaks and lakes. It can be completed year-round but excels in summer when swimming in the lake proves irresistible. This unique Great Walk is managed by local iwi (Maori community), the Tūhoe and the land is critical to their turangawaewae (sense of identity). The mountainous Te Urewera region was the first natural feature in New Zealand law to be recognised as a legal entity in its own right. Although you’ll predominately skirt the lake’s shoreline for four days, be aware that the route is not a complete circuit. The changing landscape combines streams, steep ridge climbs, tunnel-like forest trails and rolling valleys of beech, podocarp and kāmahi shrub. All along the route you’ll likely witness a community of fantail, tomtit and kererū, and hear an orchestra of bellbird and tūī. Come nightfall, calls of the North Island brown kiwi trill from the darkness.
9. COOKS COVE WALKWAY
Where is it? At the southern end of Tolaga Bay, 52km from Gisborne. Take SH 35 and turn off at Wharf Rd.
Terrain: Well-formed bush paths. Keep to the tracks to avoid coastal bluffs.
Need to know: 2hr 30min; 5.8km return. Medium fitness required. Some hill climbing. No dogs - part on private farmland.
TRACK OVERVIEW: After admiring the historic Tolaga Bay Wharf, make your way to the paddock where the walkway begins. Crossing open pastureland, you will climb through low bush, with much of the walk on farm tracks. After about 20 minutes, you will find the lookout point 120m above sea level, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of Cooks Cove, a pretty sheltered inlet. Look out to the rugged Mitre Rocks that lie to the left of the entrance and Pourewa Island rising up on the right. The winding track then descends through regenerating bush until you reach the coastal flat of the bay. Explore Te Kotere o te Whenua, otherwise known as the ‘Hole in the Wall’, and take a look the New Zealand Historic Places Trust memorial, erected in 1966 to commemorate Captain Cook’s inaugural exploration of Aotearoa in 1769. Ideal for picnics and photography.
