Waikare to Whāngārei Heads

Note: Some parts of Russell Forest have been affected by kauri dieback disease. Following consultation with local iwi, Te Araroa has been re-routed around the east side of Russell Forest. The key reason is to respect the concerns of local iwi around reducing the potential spread of kauri dieback by our walkers. The new route takes walkers to the eastern side of the forest along the Russell Whakapara Road, and south to the junction of Papakauri Road. Russell Whakapara Road from km 268.9 - 18km Follow Russell Whakapara Rd for approximately 10.8 km to Rawhiti Road turnoff. Continue 2.6 km on Russell Whakapara Rd and you’ll find The Farm on the right-hand side at km 282.5 The Farm offers camping and accommodation, and walkers are welcome to use the toilets and refill water for free. From The Farm, it’s a sealed road to Helena Bay, and a morning shuttle is available. From The Farm continue for another 4.5 km to pass Papakauri Road (the original Russell Forest Trail) at km marker 287. A further 1.5kms south is Tammy's Place at 2999 Russell Road Papakauri Road junction to Helena Bay - 13.6km After passing Papakauri Road (km 287), keep going south on Russell Road, passing the Ōākura turnoff (6.5km) and the small settlement of Mōkau (8km) until reaching the junction of Russell Road and Webb Road, Helena Bay (13km). From the junction of Russell and Webb Road, follow Webb Road 0.5km to the start of the Helena Ridge Track. Helena Ridge Track - 9km / 4 hours From Webb Road, climb the stile under the "High Chaparral" sign and make use of the cleaning station to ensure no dirt/mud remains on your footwear. Immediately after the sign, do not go up the hill, but follow around the hill on the little track on the right. Follow an old farm track that sidles around steep pasture where mānuka trees are regenerating. Go through a small patch of bush before the benched track ends and begin to climb a steep hill to meet a ridgeline that undulates through regenerating bush. While there is the occasional short scramble, the track is well formed and easy walking (though uphill most of the way). Note: Walkers come through here with agreement from a number of landowners, so please respect this and do not make camp anywhere on this track. At the highest point, the track turns east, alternating between pasture, farm track and native bush. Here you can enjoy glimpses of the magnificent canopy of large native trees below and the coast in the distance. Note: When on farm tracks you may encounter some closed gates, and often, stretchy electrified wires. Carefully use the plastic handles to open, and leave gates open or closed as you found them. At the very top there is another cleaning station. Please use this to again carefully remove mud from your footwear. The last kilometre is an easy gravel farm track bringing you to Kaiikanui Road. After coming out of the forest at km 307.5, approximately 1.7km before reaching Kaiikanui Road, there is a free camping spot with a water tank generously provided by the landowner. The water tank may be empty in dry conditions. There no toilet at this location. The old route from Kaiikanui Road to Whananaki along the Morepork-Onekainga Track is currently closed to Te Araroa hikers. The Morepork-Onekainga Track may be signposted as open, but it does not provide a connection to Whananaki Route to Whananaki via Kaiikanui Road - 21 km On reaching Kaiikanui Road, turn right (west) and walk almost 8km to the intersection of Pigs Head road. Turn left for about 800 m, then turn hard left (east) and follow Whananaki North Road for 12.7km to Whananaki North Whananaki Coastal Track - 8.5km / 3 hours Tide timetable for Whananaki Coastal Track From Whananaki North village, there’s a track next to the school which leads to the footbridge. Once across, head east along the estuary (if the tide is high, there is a 1km detour by road around the back of the settlement) around the small settlement and over the spit before heading south on Pukekawa Road parallel to the shore. There is a possible diversion via a short, steeper track to the Capitaine Bougainville Memorial on the north point of Oruaea Bay. There are great views from here along the coast. Note: There is limited beach access from the track – only at Sheltered Bay. Beyond Pitokuku Point, a grassy track goes behind private baches and over a stile to join up with a well-graded pōhutukawa-lined farm track/driveway with excellent views of the coast and the Poor Knights Islands. Continue on the driveway until reaching the gate at McAuslin Road. Leaving the gate at the north end of McAuslin Road, head south down the road (looking out for traffic) to Sandy Bay, enjoying the beautiful beaches as you go. Matapōuri Road to Ngunguru - 15.5 km When you arrive into Sandy Bay, turn right onto Matapōuri Road and head west, inland, for approximately 3km. Turn left onto Kaiatea Road for 3.5 km Turn left into Te Toiroa Road. Pass Kiwi Bush Lane (a loop road). Then take the narrow 'Old Coach Road' to Pukenui Road, which you follow until you merge right onto Waiotoi Road. This takes you all the way into the seaside village of Ngunguru. Ngunguru Road - 1.5km Tide timetable for Ngunguru and Taiharuru Estuary Route From Waiotoi Road, turn right/southwest onto Ngunguru Road. Just 200m down this road are the Ngunguru Village shops. If you need food supplies, now is a good time to get them as the next shops on the trail are 2–3 days' walk away __ Update September 10th 2025 The Ngunguru River Crossing from km 356 to km 365 through Nikau Bay Campsite, is now open for southbound walkers The Ngunguru River boat crossing is another 1km walk past the shops southwest along Ngunguru Road. Take the first left into Pāpaka Road and walk 80m to the edge of the estuary. It is essential to text (not phone) James Johnston 24 hours prior to your boat ride on 021 0242 1632. James will do his best to pick you up at a time that suits you – text ahead to ask. It is not practical to provide transport across the Ngunguru River for northbound walkers. For northbound walkers, or when the Nikau Bay route is not available, see the notes for Ngunguru River Bypass Mackerel Forest Track - 3.5 km / 1.5 hours The track passes through private forest and may be subject to occasional closures due to forestry operations. Open daylight hours only. NO dogs, guns, vehicles, camping or fires. Two river crossings – never cross flooded rivers. From the forestry gate, the track follows Mackerel Road (a forest road) largely downhill through a pine forest. At the bottom of the hill, it crosses the Waitangi River which is usually knee/thigh depth. From there, the track follows the river bank through a recently harvested area of the forest. It then turns south to meet and cross the Tāheke River – at the shallower ford between the deeper pools - and clambers up the southern bank. The track continues on the true right river bank until meeting an old logging track that climbs steeply up and around a pine-covered hill before dropping down to a logging gate on Pātaua North Road. Pātaua North Road to Horahora - 7.7 km From Mackerel Forest Track logging gate, turn left (east) to join the Te Araroa route at km 376.8 on Pātaua North Road Horahora to Pataua River - 5.6 km Follow Pātaua North Road to the footbridge across Pataua River estuary __ Pataua River to Taiharuru Estuary - 2 km Cross the river to Pātaua South Road and continue to Taiharuru Estuary Track Note: Once you near the coast, it is private land between the road and the beach so, unfortunately, walking the beach is not an option here – please stick to the road. There is bed and breakfast accommodation available at Ra Puawai Retreat, 27 Mahanga Road, near km 383, shortly after crossing the Pataua footbridge. Details in the Taiharuru Estuary – Accommodation section below. Local and accommodation information follows the Russell Forest to Whangarei. Taiharuru Estuary Route - 6.4km / 2 hours From the Pātaua River footbridge, walk south on the main road out of Pātaua. After 1.5km look for a grassed Council Reserve on the left where Pātaua South Road runs along the Taiharuru Estuary. Walk through the reserve, step onto the 'beach', and head southeast to the rocky point ahead. This is a low tide route. On rounding that, and crossing the small stream, head for the 2 white marker poles out on the sandbank. After rounding the next point, you will be facing southwest at the corner. To cross over the estuary, proceed along the water's edge until a pole with an orange triangle becomes visible – the shallowest place. This Route will look daunting when the tide is covering the estuary but makes sense once the tide goes out. Stingrays feed in the shallow water of the estuary. They are not aggressive, but do not like being stepped on. To avoid contact tap the mud ahead with a hiking pole or splash the surface to disturb them Tide timetable for Taiharuru Estuary Route To cross the estuary stay well out beyond the mangroves and head for the furthest white pole ahead (orange marker) marking the shallowest crossing place. Look for the prominent bare clay bank, south side (orange marker), and walk up the bank. Do not cross the fence into the pasture on the west side. Follow the southeast fenceline over the pasture, then along a driveway (at #405) to Taiharuru Road. Note: This narrow accessway is public land. Please ensure at all times that you do not enter private property. Turn southwest down Taiharuru Road for 500m to Harambee Road. 1km up this road is the small parking area. Kauri Mountain Track - 3.2km / 1.5 hours The track starts by winding up a long driveway, past private homes. (Use the stiles provided and leave gates as you find them as sheep sometimes graze the driveway). The coastal views north are spectacular. Near the top of the driveway, follow orange markers to climb over a stile and up through pasture, then regenerating bush to the trig (where the view is blocked by bush). From there, follow the orange-marked bush track down the southern side to Kauri Mountain Road. From the carpark, walk 2km southeast down this gravel Kauri Mountain Road to a farm gate (look for Te Araroa logo, orange marker). Enter the paddock here, leaving this gate as you find it, and follow the farm track across a paddock heading straight towards Ocean Beach. A few clay steps cut into the bank take you down to the beach. Tide timetable: Check the best times for walking Ocean Beach Walk - 7km / 3 hours Wildlife sanctuary: Avoid dune nesting sites No dogs allowed When you're first on the beach there is a stream/occasional estuary that changes shape a lot – do check it before attempting to cross and on some occasions, if the tide is high you're best to wait for the tide to drop a little. Head south down the beach running parallel with DOC’s Ocean Beach Recreation Reserve. Near the southern end of the beach, a sand track leads up to a carpark, toilet and Ocean Beach Road. Note : A freedom camping bylaw is in place that prohibits camping in this carpark. Please take care when opening gates that you leave them as you find them. There may be farm animals on this track. Bream Head (Te Whara) Track - 7.4km / 5-6 hours Note: Low tide is preferably the best time for the very first part of this track. Tide timetable: Check the best times for walking This is a conservation area – no domestic animals are allowed (including birds, cats and dogs) and a freedom camping bylaw means Peach Cove is the only option in the Bream Head Scenic Reserve. Walk to the southern end of Ocean Beach and climb to the ridge beyond. The track is well-formed but steep. Continue on past a WWII naval radar station to the Bream Head/Te Whara summit. It’s worth the short detour to the viewing platform. The rock formations and coastal views are spectacular. Halfway along the ridgeline, there is the track exiting to the north/Ocean Beach Road and another going steeply down to the south and Peach Cove (DOC hut – not included in the backcountry hut pass). This is a detour – see details in trail notes. Continue along the ridge to Mt Lion (Matariki), then down a lot of steps to Urquharts Bay, passing the Busby Head loop track. There are great coastal views from many parts of the track. To continue Te Araroa south from this point onwards, you'll need to get across the channel to Marsden Point. Urquharts Bay to Reotahi - 8.3km Follow Urquharts Bay Road, Whangarei Heads Road, Bay View Road and Reotahi Track to Reotahi Transport across Whāngārei Harbour Blair Jones runs a water taxi across Whangarei Harbour from Reotahi where your trail ends, to the jetty on the Ruakaka side where your trail starts again. Just message him the day before on 021 114 7466. Tell him how many of you there are and what time you would like to be picked up. Trips are weekdays only. First trip at 8:00am and the Second 2:00pm. Price $100 per trip, Maximum of 5 TA Walkers. The price is $20pp. If you can get groups of 5, it will cost you $20 per person. Groups of 4 will cost $25 per person. For more information on the Whāngārei Harbour Crossing and Marsden Point please visit Northland Regional Council. Please consider the following links around boating safety in the Whāngārei area: Northland Regional Council – safety information for boating in Northland 2018-2019 If you need to go to Whāngārei City to re-supply, there's good hitchhiking from here on along the road. From the carpark, follow Urquarts Bay Road north onto Whāngārei Heads Road. After 5km, turn south on to Bay View Road and walk down to Little Munroe Bay. Reotahi Track - 3km / 1 hour The wide, gravelled track begins on the lower slopes of Mt Aubrey overlooking Little Munroe Bay. It goes around the harbour’s edge to Reotahi Beach (and boat ramp) taking in stunning sea views and passing the historic remains of a freezing works. Very noticeable is the hum coming from the Marsden Point Oil Refinery, just across the 1.5km channel, and the start of Te Araroa’s next coastal section. Note: If you are hoping to wait and find a lift across to Marsden Point, you are better waiting here at Reotahi than continuing around to McLeods Bay, and note that on the Te Araroa maps, the route line ends at Reotahi. From the northern end of Reotahi Bay, there is a dirt track heading off the side of Reotahi Beach Road. It climbs the hill to a playground at the end of Norfolk Road. Head up the road to a driveway just past #34. Take this driveway and turn right (north) over the front lawn past the last house. Beyond it are steps leading down to a small footbridge. This track leads to Matuku Street. Follow this, then up to the end of Darch Point Road where a well-defined track follows the headland around to the jetty at McLeod Bay. Information on the Whāngārei Harbour crossing and Marsden Point Note: Toilets, cafe, phone, accommodation available at the Whāngārei Heads village. At Marsden Cove marina you will find a cafe, toilets and phone facilities.

Northern Start: Waikare Southern End: Jetty at McLeod Bay (southern end), Whangarei Heads Waikare Waikare and the accommodation providers on Waikare Road are not located directly on Te Araroa due to the closure of Russell Forest and Papakauri Track in 2021. The accommodation options below are approximately 2 km off the current route For information re Waikare amenities, contact Sheryl Wikaire on P: 027 309 3476 E: peter1.sheryl@gmail.com Sheryl's Place has tenting available for walkers at 228 Waikare Valley Rd (koha/donation please) - call Sheryl, or information at the Russell GAS station. Sheryl's place is 1km from the Russell Forest at 228D Waikare Valley Rd, just phone or text to arrange. Note that Sheryl's place is "off the grid" - composting toilet available on request and kauri dieback cleaning facilities available, please make use of these! Matapouri A 2 B Auckland Airport Direct Shuttle (to/from Whangarei/Matapouri/Tutukaka) - P: 09 459 5221 or 027 273 7307 __ Ngunguru A 2 B Auckland Airport Direct Shuttle - (to/from Whangarei/Matapouri/Tutukaka) - P: 09 459 5221 or 027 273 7307 _ Whangarei Heads A 2 B Auckland Airport Direct Shuttle - (to/from Whangarei/Matapouri/Tutukaka) - P: 09 459 5221 or 027 273 7307 Stans Van Passenger Service - RD 4, Whangarei Heads - P: 09 434 0024 Transport across Whangarei Harbour Blair Jones runs a water taxi across the Whangarei Harbour from Reotahi where your trail ends, to the Jetty on the Ruakaka side where your trail starts again. Just message the day before on 021 114 7466. The trip charge is $100 for up to five people, so try to get a group together. Operating weekdays only, departing Reotahi 8:00 am and 2:00 pm. A second trip is possible if there are more than 5 people You can also call Peter on 0274 172440. He runs a service as well. Please contact him at least 24 hours prior.

Unguided walk package Bream Head Coast Walks - 395 Ody Rd, RD 4, Whangarei Heads - P: 09 434 0571 - E: Claire@coastwalks.co.nz - W: 3-day unguided walk package for up to 12 pax, season 1 October - 31 May - bookings are essential. Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website . Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information. This track is part of the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa track database. Herenga ā Nuku has maps and advice about public access to the outdoors . We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . We recommend trying these online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping/field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel .

Track standard: Tramping trackPotential HazardsNo dogs allowed Multiple river crossings - please make an informed decision on tide flow and height of the river before crossing as this can be dangerous Do not cross rivers after or during heavy rain Please respect trail restrictions - do not trespass onto private property Clean boots before and after your walk to stop the spread of Kauri dieback disease Morepork-Onekainga TrackKiwi Area - No dogs are allowed.