There are many tracks and walkways within easy reach of Whangarei City.
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List these tracks by category:
All track categories Easy access short walk Short walk Walking track Great Walk/Easier tramping track Tramping track Route Mountain bike track Horse riding
Located in the Bream Head Scenic Reserve, Busby Track is an easy 3-km loop track that takes you around from Busby Head to Smugglers Bay. Category: Walking track Distance: 3 km Completion Time: 1 hr Alert: Te Whara Track section closed
The 2-hour return walk along the Peach Cove Track requires skill and a reasonable level of fitness. The track has several steep climbs before it drops down to Peach Cove’s sandy beach. Category: Walking track Distance: 3.6 km to Peach Cove Completion Time: 2 hr Alert: Te Whara Track section closed
The 7.5-km Bream Head/Te Whara Track follows an ancient Maori trail from Urquharts Bay to Ocean Beach. Individuals interested in walking this track should be experienced and fit. Category: Tramping track Distance: 7.5 km Completion Time: 5 hr Alert: Track section closed.
The Brynderwyn Hills stretch from Mangawhai Heads on the east coast nearly halfway to the eastern arms of Kaipara Harbour. You can access the Brynderwyn Hills Walkway from the western or eastern end. Category: Tramping track Alert: Updated 20 May 2013: Cove Rd to Cullen closed. Cullen to Artillery Rd is closed all days except Sunday due to forestry contractors working in the vicinity of the track.
Horokaka Track is a challenging track that includes strenuous climbing. The track leads up to an old logging road and then follows the ridge to the Horokaka Transmitter. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 3 hr 30 min one way
This easy walk takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. On the Kauri Dam Walk you’ll meander through regenerating forest and by the remains of an old timber dam before coming to a viewing area. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr 45 min return
Follow the Kauri Grove Track through a podocarp/broadleaf forest before coming to a small grove of mature kauri. The walk may require skill and an average level of fitness. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 3 hr return
This 5-km Mangawhai Track traverses across beaches, cliff tops, farmlands and bush areas. You may be able to enjoy views of Bream Head all the way down to the Hauraki Gulf. Category: Walking track Distance: 5 km Completion Time: 2 - 3 hr return
The Motutara Recreation Reserve lies halfway between Russell and Whangarei. At the reserve you’ll find several small beaches and some good fishing and diving spots. Category: Short walk Distance: 2.5 km
Located at Taurikura Bay, the 3.5-km track leads you through regenerating native bush to the summit of Mount Manaia. Category: Walking track Distance: 3.5 km Completion Time: 1.5 hr to summit, 2.5 - 3 hr return to carpark
The Northern Tangihua Track links up with other tracks in the Tangihua Forest. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 2 - 3 hr
The Otaika Valley Walkway offers you a variety of landscapes including farmland and native forest. Category: Walking track Distance: 6 km one way Completion Time: 2 hr one way
The Otito Track meanders through forest before leading you to several small sandy beaches. Category: Walking track Distance: 1.2 km loop Completion Time: 30 min
Pataua Island Track is a short access track that skirts the Pataua Estuary and leads you to a lovely beach. Category: Short walk
The Loop Walk around the headland provides a little of everything that Mimiwhangata has to offer. Category: Walking track Distance: 4.5 km Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min - 2 hr
Follow a 200-m track across the Ahuroa River and on to the picturesque Piroa Falls. The river has many suitable swimming holes along the track, making it a fun family walk. Category: Short walk Distance: 200 m Completion Time: 10 min
The Pukenui Forest tracks are suitable for people of most ages and fitness levels. You cross through farmlands and native forest before climbing up a steep ridge and bringing you back to the forest entrance. Category: Walking track
One of the bush walks at Mimiwhangata, the track leads you to the top of the ridge with impressive views of the peninsula and out towards the Poor Knights Islands. Category: Walking track Distance: 4.5 km Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min - 2 hr return
Ruakaka Pipeline Road Track is considered suitable for people of most fitness levels. The 3-km track provides back dune access to Bream Bay. Category: Walking track Distance: 3 km Completion Time: 1 hr
A 30-minute walk leads you to Ruapekapeka Pa, which is where the final battle of ‘War of the North’ was waged. The pa is considered one of the most significant historic sites in New Zealand. Category: Easy access short walk Distance: 1.5 km loop Completion Time: 30 min return
This 21-km track along the Ngaiotonga Saddle leads you through beautiful Russell Forest and provides an amazing view of the Bay of Islands and the Whangaruru Harbour. Category: Walking track Alert: A rahui is in place.
This lovely 3-km loop track leads through a grove of regenerating kauri and offers views of the Taheke Waterfall. Category: Walking track Distance: 3 km loop Completion Time: 2 hr return
This nature walk winds through native forest and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr 45 min
The Tangihua Main Ridge Track links the Horokaka Track and the Te Haua Uru Track forming a loop that takes about 9 hours to complete. It’s a route that should only be tackled by experienced trampers. Category: Tramping track Completion Time: 2 - 3 hr
The Te Haua Uru Track is located in the Tangihua Forest and links with the Horokaka Track and Tangihua Main Ridge Track to form a loop that will take experienced trampers 9 hours to complete. Category: Tramping track Distance: 4 km Completion Time: 3 hr 45 min to junction
This bush walk at Mimiwhangata offers superb views of Mimiwhangata, the coast and the Poor Knights Islands: Category: Walking track Distance: 4 km Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min - 2 hr return
Tutukaka Head has a number of good beaches and is a great place for swimming, boating, fishing, surfing and diving. The site’s main walking track leads to the Tutukaka Lighthouse. Category: Walking track Distance: 2 km Completion Time: 1 hr
A 2-km walk leads you to Waipu Caves. Once in the limestone caves you’ll find stalagtites, stalagmites and glow worms near the entrance. Category: Walking track Distance: 2 km Completion Time: 1 hr each way
Just north of Hikurangi lies the Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve. A track through the 7.5-hectare reserve takes you around spectacular limestone formations. Category: Walking track Distance: 1 km Completion Time: 20 min
At Otamure Bay campsite you’ll find the Watkin Powell Track. The short track leads to a sandy, secluded beach at Tauwhara Bay. Category: Walking track Distance: 400 m
The Whakapono and Tumanako tracks form a loop. Plan for the walk to take about 6.5 hours if you wish to complete the full loop. Category: Walking track
The Whangaruru North Head Walking Tracks can be accessed from the popular campsite at Puriri Bay. The tracks follow through native forest and ridgelines before dropping down into secluded bays. Category: Walking track
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