Starts at Tapapakanga Regional Park
Start at the Tāpapakanga Regional Park main car park and follow the blue markers for the Historic Loop Track. The track crosses farmland and weaves through short pockets of bush, with a few gentle slopes.
Stroll past the historic Ashby Homestead (built in 1900) and enjoy spectacular views over the Firth of Thames/Tikapa Moana.
Follow the track past the Māori pā site and historic stone fields. The stone heaps indicate there were once extensive riverside gardens in this area.
Bring along your dogs on-leash between 2 December and 30 June. Dogs are not allowed during lambing and calving season (1 July to 1 December).
After your walk, Tāpapakanga is a great park for a family picnic or barbecue. Swim at the beautiful pōhutukawa fringed beach, where the water is so clear that you can see sprats, flounder and even the odd stingray.
If you want to keep exploring, take a short walk out to the two pou whenua (carved posts) at the park entrance, which commemorate the Māori relationship to the parkland.
