About the path
On this walk you will do a circuit of the some of the highlights of the Rangihoua area. Lots of history here, and many surprising places, even for Waiheke locals. You’ll be close to some of the significant vineyards on Waiheke Island. This is an easy, flat walk for all ages, but parts of the walk get wet and muddy in winter. Can be done on a good mountain bike.
Parking is available at the Waiheke Museum on Onetangi Road. Have a roam around the heritage buildings and displays. Just to the right (west) of the museum is a track to the sports park, which crosses a lovely curved bridge over the wetland, with stories of the very first Maori waka that arrived here. Follow the marked route around two golf fairways, to enter the sports park near the tennis courts.
If you would like to explore the sports park, you will find a Frisbee golf course, soccer fields, tennis courts, mountain bike trails, showers and toilets.
From here you can follow the mountain bike trail to your right, past the pavilion to follow the southern edge of the wetland, all the way to O’Brien Road. Near the entrance of the sports park is a spot where the roosters of Waiheke congregate. Don’t feed them - they are being looked after by volunteers. And keep your dog on the lead at all times!
Turn right on O’Brien Road, cross the Rangihoua Creek, and turn right at the picnic and wetland lookout area. Follow the bridle track on the right hand side of the road back to Onetangi Road (or walk on the roadside if too muddy). Turn right again to cross through the Waiheke Cemetery, and follow the trail around the horse paddocks, back to your start point at the museum.
Easy and level off-road walking or mountain biking.
