Starts at Gordons Road, Waiheke Island
A proper bush walk on well-maintained gravel tracks at Whakanewha Regional Park.
This is a varied route with a bit of everything. You will see different forest types, an unspoilt beach with rare New Zealand birds and some great views from the higher parts of the route.
Start at the Conservation car park on Gordons Road. Follow the signage from Dotties Lane which is named after the endangered NZ Dotterel that breeds on the beach here. The lane was designed to keep the crowds away from the beach. Keep walking straight for approximately 385m up the track to the road crossing. Cross Gordons Road - watch and listen out for traffic!
Join the Kowhai Track for 1km through regenerating manuka bush. This is a metal track with steps and is uneven in places.
Turn right onto Carsons Road, keep to the grass verge before joining a short section of track to the Carsons Road car park. This can also be an alternative start and finish point.
Just past the car park you will join Tarata Track which has informative signage along the Tarata Track Tree Trail.
The track traverses across the top end of Whakanewha on a shared track with mountain bikes. Walk through some amazing bush where you will hear the bird song of the park.
Look out for the junction with the Nikau Track, on your right. You will gently drop through an amazing nīkau forest, before the track opens up at the end at Gordons Road.
Cross the road with care - the toilet will be on your left. Continue straight for 40m to return to the Conservation car park.
