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. Easy walking.

Need to Know

TIME & DISTANCE: 1hr; 4.2km loop track

FITNESS: Basic fitness required

DOGS ARE WELCOME

Track Overview

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.

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.

Looking for a place to stay? Find a huge range of accommodation options, including discounts for AA Members, at travel.aa.co.nz/Hotels