Subscription page

Footprints of Toi walk, Whakatane, Bay of Plenty

By Yvonne van Eerden

We travelled to Ohope Beach to stay with family. Auntie who is a very keen tramper suggested we do the Nga Tapuwae o Toi, known as Footprints of Toi, while the weather was so good. Of course we jumped at the idea.

We were from Christchurch and the weather had been very very cold. The trail from Ohope Beach to Otarawairere Beach to Kohi Point Scenic Reserve and Mokorua Scenic Reserve to Whakatane and then back via the bush walk begins at Gorge Road made a full circuit.

Otarawairere Beach needs to be crossed at low tide, we checked the tides for the next day and the next morning headed off in full sunshine with no wind at all. We reached the end of Ohope Beach and saw all the steps, we talked to a few locals and they said we ■ were heading up the hardest way, but we were not deterred as we had all day.

We headed off again up and up and up stairs after stairs and soon came to Otarawairere Beach. The scenery was spectacular, the sea and the sky so incredibly blue and the sun was shimmering on the water.

The sand was so lovely to walk across and the scenery was so amazing we had certainly picked a fantastic walk. It was very easy to cross the rocks and we even found a giants footprint! We knew that we had plenty of food and water so we stopped for moning tea and just soaked up the views with plenty of photos oppor-

Ouch! Sore feet while walking?

Hikers Wool is 100% New Zealand wool. Cushion your feet to prevent pain, rubbing and blisters.

Buy online or at selected stockists

For more info visit www.hikerswool.co.nz

Above: Spectacular views from the track.

tunities.

After climbing hundreds of steps, we had lost count, we came to Kohi Point. Moutohora Island (Whale Island) was in full view most of the way and then we had the views of Whakatane and met lots of walkers who came from the Whakatane end and kept asking us if we were sure about what we were doing, as they thought there were too many steps the way we were going.

Everyone was so friendly. It was amazing at how well the track was being used. We had a good lunch and continued on the way.

We wandered down to Whakatane town where we filled up our water bottles and headed to Gorge Road heading into the bush track. It was a fantastic day and we made very good progress going back to Ohope Beach where we were staying.

You can walk as far or as short as you like on this trail and every part of the track is fantastic.

We had a full day and we were very pleased to head back for a very good dinner with Auntie and the family. Above: Otarawairere Beach needs to be crossed at low tide. Above right: Looking for giant footprints. Below left: The steps from the beach up to Kohi Point.

Price $40 Available at some Northland and North

Shore Bookshops or contact Jean at: goldschmidt@farmside.co.nz

Tramping Socks

Features: * Double ribbed cuff – prevents sock slippage * Added cushion and elastic support of Achilles tendon and arch * Mesh ventilation zones – temperature and moisture control * Nylon heel and toes reinforcements – increased durability plus added cushioning for comfort * Flat toes seam – prevents toe irritation * Cotton 66.2%, Spandex 14.8%, Dry Zone 19%

Men’s size: 9-13, Leg Length 17cm Colours: Black, Blue, Brown Womens size: 6-11, Leg Length 24cm Colours Black, Brown

Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway

$26.95 plus $7 Shipping

Available now from: Walking New Zealand Shop

P O Box 1922, Palmerston North Phone 0800-925-546 email walkingnz@xtra.co.nz. www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz Above: Looking down from the Footprints of Toi walkway on the town of

Whakatane . Photo by Yvonne van Eerden..

Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway

Ngā Tapuwae o Toi, or the ‘Footprints of Toi’, is a walking trail that captures the essence of the Whakatāne District.

It includes pa sites of major historic significance, superb native forest, spectacular pohutukawa stands, unsurpassed coastal views, seabird colonies, forest birds in abundance, plantation forest and rural vistas.

The track includes three major scenic reserves - Kohi Point Scenic Reserve, Ōhope Scenic Reserve and Mokorua Scenic Reserve.

The walkway is accessible to most people, regardless of fitness level, because it can be undertaken in sections or as a 16-kilometre round trip. The total trip can be completed in five to seven hours. Information boards placed in strategic locations tell much more of the district’s natural and historic heritage. If you intend to complete the entire 16-kilometre round trip, it is recommended you do so in a . clockwise direction; the track is far more challenging going in the opposite direction.

Embrace the incredibly scenic Kōhī Point walk and appreciate ancient pā sites, native bush and birdsong, stunning cliff-top views and the picturesque, secluded Ōtarawairere Beach. This track is a must for keen walkers.

Note that Ōtarawairere Beach is inaccessible on foot during high tide. Please check with the Whakatāne Visitor Information Centre for the latest tide information. You can also access tide tables at MetService.

If you are walking to Ōhope and wish to return to Whakatāne by bus, the Beach Hopper Bus can pick you up at the Ōhope Beach Haven store. Phone the Whakatāne Visitor Information Centre for bus times or view the timetable on the Baybus website. Above: A nikau palm stands out along the track. Photo

by Yvonne van Eerden.. Below left: Moutohora Island. Photo by Yvonne van Eerden.. Below right: A solitary tree on a rock. Photo by Yvonne van Eerden..