Tutukaka Coastal Walks

Tane Moana Walkway (Giant Kauri)

Walking Time: 2 hours one way or 4 hours return via the walking track
Important: Good shoes recommended, this walk may take longer for some people, transport can be arranged at either end of the walk but no other road access is possible along the path.
Directions: Wide tracks through grass farmland start this walk in Clements Road, keep an eye out for the Te Araroa Walkway signs. Good, but sometimes narrow, pathways through native bush, with gulleys and streams to cross, and incredible native birdlife. The walk takes you through untouched native tracts, to pleasant logging plantations. A fork in the road directs you to the largest kauri tree remaining on the east coast, Tane Moana. Measuring over 11 metres in circumference, he stands head and shoulders above the ridgeline and has a boardwalk built around him to protect his roots and base. Locals used to picnic beneath his shade on Christmas Day. Continuing past the kauri takes you into logging forest and out on to Waitoi Road. If travelling with friends, a recommendation is to drop a car at the final end, to save the walk back.

Tutukaka Headland: Lighthouse Walkway

Walking Time: to the Lighthouse 1 hour return
Important: choose an hour either side of low tide for this walk (weather permitting), good shoes recommended.
Access/Carparking: Access to the car park and reserve is 600m north past Marina Road, Tutukaka via the Private Road (blue signage) and from there follow signs.
Directions: A grassy track follows the headland out across the reserve where native trees have been planted by local school-children. Seating is provided in several spots; there are views to the left of the track of the Poor Knights Islands. The descent to the beach is a stepped and well-maintained path, leading to a rocky/pebbly causeway across to Kukutauwhao Island. You can reach this beach whatever the tide is doing, but low tide is best to cross the causeway and follow the well-marked track which climbs up the side of the island to the lighthouse, and great coastal views. The return via the causeway gives you the opportunity to explore some of the nooks and inlet beaches which stretch to the right of the track before returning to the grassy reserve.

Matapouri to Whale Bay Walkway

Ringer Ave Carpark at Matapouri Bay (left off Morrison Ave) to Whale Bay beach.

Walking Time: 45 minutes round trip (also allow time to enjoy the beaches, have a picnic or a swim)
Access: A combination of walking on the beach, dirt track and gravel track, steep climbing at times. Quite steep if you access the path from Pebbly Bay. Due to the steepness of the track a reasonable level of fitness and good shoes are recommended.
Carparking: Free carpark at Ringer Ave. Note; Please do not leave your valuables in the car or luggage on display when leaving the vehicle.
Directions: Option 1: Matapouri Beach route. Walk North along Matapouri Beach towards Pebbly Bay and at the end of the beach, you will find a steep track. The path leads up over the hill, (eventually turn right) along the ridge and down to Whale Bay. Views from the top include Woolley’s Bay and northwards up the coast towards Whananaki. The track ends at Whale Bay beach. This area is a public reserve. Whale Bay provides safe swimming, good snorkelling and shade from the Pohutukawa Trees that line the bay. Matapouri is also good for swimming and due to the different position of the bay may offer different swimming conditions depending on the swell and wind direction. You can return via the alternative inland loop route below or back along the pathway you came in on.
Option 2: Inland route. Take the clearly defined track from the carpark up the hill through native bush. At the top of the hill take the path to the right heading downhill towards Whale Bay. You can either return via Pebbly Bay and along Matapouri Beach or return along the same pathway you arrived on.
If you have less time or fitness you can follow the direct Whale Bay Walkway from the carpark on Matapouri Rd.

Whale Bay Walkway

Whale Bay Carpark (top of the hill on Matapouri Rd after Matapouri Bay) to Whale Bay beach.

Walking Time: 30 minutes round trip (also allow time to enjoy the beach, have a picnic or a swim)
Access: Well maintained gravel track, steep at times. Stairs at the bottom or a pathway to the beach. Suitable for all levels of fitness and well worth the effort!
Carparking: Free carpark at the top of the hill. Note; Please do not leave your valuables in the car or luggage on display when leaving the vehicle.
Directions: Follow the track through the gateway adjacent to the carpark off Matapouri Rd, through native bush. There are spectacular views along the track of Whale Bay and northwards along the coast towards Whananaki and Cape Brett. The track ends at the beach.
If you have extra time on your return trip up the hill you can add on the walkway to Matapouri by taking the marked path 1/2 way up the hill.

Rauhomaumau Bay to William Parata Walkway

Walking Time: 30 minutes oneway.
Access: Steep grassy track and pebbly beach walking. Good shoes and a good level of fitness are recommended.
Carparking: Road parking on Rauhomaumau Rd (follow Tutukaka Block Road (off Matapouri Road as you descend the hill towards Tutukaka Marina) then Motel Road on the left – Rauhomaumau Rd veers right a short way along).
Directions: Descend the steep grass track at the end of Rauhomaumau Road to access the beach (this can be slippery). At the beach turn right and follow the beach until the accessway to Dolphin Place. Climb up this grassy steep path and follow Dolphin Place for 50m until you reach the William Parata Walkway on your left. There is a steep climb to the Trig Station with superb views from the top. Views include the Poor Knights Islands, Tutukaka Harbour, Ngunguru, Ngunguru Sandspit and Tutukaka Heads.
For a shorter walk, you can access the William Parata Walkway to the Trig Station directly from Dolphin Place.

Tutukaka Estates Short Walk & Lookout

Walking Time: 5 minutes oneway to the lookout with an optional additional 6-minute circular bushwalk at the top.
Access: Includes a steep walk up a concrete path and a well-maintained bush track. The path will get your heart pumping but the views are worth the climb.
Carparking: Parking outside the security gate at the end of Lawson Drive or next to the beach at Whangaumu Bay a little further down the hill.
Directions: Drive towards Whangaumu Bay (turn right along Tutukaka Block Road off Matapouri Road as you descend the hill towards Tutukaka Marina) and take Lawson Drive on your left just before you reach the bottom of the hill.
Pass through the security gate at the end of Lawson Drive and follow the concrete path up the hill. There is seating at the top so take your time to enjoy the view. Views include Ngunguru Sandspit, Hen & Chickens Islands, Little Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula. If you have a few extra minutes follow the bushwalk at the southern side of the hill (the path is marked) before returning back to your car.

Ngunguru Mangrove Walkway

Ngunguru Library to Munroe Place. This walkway was developed by the local community with the elderly and physically challenged in mind, The pleasant stroll includes paths through bush and boardwalks through mangroves. Seating is provided along the way and the sheltered pathway is safe and well maintained.

Walking Time: 20 minutes round trip at an easy stroll
Access: Flat, level pathway and boardwalk suitable for wheelchairs and all fitness levels.
Carparking: Near the library on Ngunguru Road and Munroe Place (turn left at the Whangarei end of Ngunguru – before the 1st one-way bridge).
Directions: Start at Munroe Place (at the Whangarei end of Ngunguru, before the 1st one way bridge). The pathway ends at the library (on the other side of the one way bridge) at the start of the Ngunguru waterfront. The Ngunguru Mangrove Walkway can be done in either direction. For a longer walk start at the shops/cafe at Ngunguru and walk along the picturesque estuary waterfront before you get to the walkway.