NORTHLAND Explore New Zealand’s history on this short, easy walk and see archaeological features such as pits and trenches marking the site of the final battle of the New Zealand Wars in the north.
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HĀTEA LOOP WALKWAY
A pretty urban walk through the Whangārei Town Basin featuring a marina, restaurants, shops, galleries, bridges, parks and playgrounds. To give the walk its full name, the Hātea Loop is also known as Huarahi o Te Whai or the 'Pathway of Opportunity'.
Where is it? Whangārei Town Basin. This fully accessible loop circles the Hātea River, uniting the basin with William Fraser Memorial Park.
Terrain Almost entirely paved so accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
TRACK OVERVIEW
RUAPEKAPEKA PĀ TRACK 4
Ruapekapeka Pā Gateway © Northland Tourism
Where is it?
30min; 1.5km loop track
From Whangārei, follow SH 1 north for 35km. Just past the Tōwai service station, turn right into Ruapekapeka Rd and follow this for 4km. You’ll see signs for Ruapekapeka and the car park 300m beyond the intersection where Ruapekapeka Rd meets Kawakawa Rd.
Low fitness required Easy walking, suitable for buggies
TRACK OVERVIEW Surrounded by farmland, this loop track starts at the car park and takes you past where the British army had their front line and through sections of native bush. You’ll then pass through the large wooden posts that mark the entrance to Ruapekapeka Pā – a Māori pā designed to be effective as a defence against British muskets and heavy artillery. Today Ruapekapeka is New Zealand’s
best preserved land war battlefield. The ditch and bank defences, a carronade used by Chief Kawiti and the earthen defences of the British forward position are still visible. Once you reach the top you’ll be rewarded with expansive coastal views of the Northland region.
1hr; 4.2km loop track Basic fitness required Easy walking Dogs are welcome
Stop and linger awhile; highlights along the track include the Whangārei Art Museum, home of the city's art collection; Reyburn House, the city's oldest house built in the 1870s; the fantastic children's playground and petanque court; and the Claphams National Clock Museum.
No dogs
Ruapekapeka Pā’s combination of trenches and strong palisades made it very effective against assault by muskets and heavy artillery. These palisades consisted of two rows, 3-5m-high, made with pūriri tree trunks and split timber and lashed together and reinforced with protective flax padding. These were separated by a 2m-wide track and surrounded the pā.
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This 4.2km loop is an excellent way to acquaint yourself with Whangārei. Look out for artworks created by local talents including the stone sculpture Waka and Wave at Hihiaua Point, a depiction of a Māori waka (canoe) piercing a towering wave. Reyburn House is Whangārei's oldest house, built in the 1870s; today it’s where you’ll find the Northland Society of Arts. There is also a very sweet playground, complete with a liberty swing for use by visitors in wheelchairs. Stop to read the interpretation panels as you go as all sorts of interesting facts are brought to life. Time your visit to witness the impressive bascule bridge open to admit boats with masts over 6.5m entry to the basin. Called Te Matau a Pohe, The Fish Hook of Pohe, this extraordinary feat of engineering provides an exciting element to the area while at the other end the Canopy Bridge resembles vast sails.
D T H E W O R SL F A M O U K IE O S K IL L E T C HO E R E ! E D A M IS
0760 | OPEN 7 DAYS FROM 11.30A M 117 BANK ST, WHAN GAREI | PH: 09 430
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