22 May 2013

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Tawharanui Ridge Walk

Location: North Island. Auckland

Nearest Town: Warkworth - 26.3km

Nearest City: Auckland - 87.4km

Length of tramp: 10km

Time needed: 4 hours

Difficulty: Very easy

Route: Round trip

Elevation: Sea level to 91m

Wet Feet: No

Toilets: On the beach at the entrance to the park

Dogs: Absolutely not

Mobile phone coverage: Yes

Date this tramp was last walked: Nov 06

Track quality: Very good grassy farm track

Shops/restaurants:

Click here to see a huge list of great Auckland restaurants >> www.auckland-restaurants.co.nz

Petrol station: In Warkworth

Hazards: High rocky cliffs, at the look out

Transport: No

Water: At the entrance to the park

Driving Instructions:

A bit of a drive, but worth it. Head north on State Highway 1. Drive over the harbour bridge and onto Warkworth township 67km. Drive past the turn off to Warkworth shopping centre, and onto the only traffic lights on the highway - TURN right, look for the sign to Leigh township. On the Matakana Road 8.9km along this road is the township of Matakana. Stop here on a Saturday morning for the fresh produce markets, all grown by the locals. Highly recommended. Across the road is also a very enjoyable but naughty bakery. 1.7 km. pasted Matakana on the right, turn off to Tawharanui Regional Park. This road is windy and narrow. This road is 13 km long, 5 km at the end is gravel. The road around the park HQ is sealed.

The next thing that will catch your eye and make you stop is the 2.4 km long predator fence. It’s to keep out the possums, feral cats, rats and dogs. The goal is to achieve a pest free park. So the native birds such as tui, fantail, dotterel and skinks can recover. There is a plan to reintroduce the Tuatara lizard and the endangered kiwi, but don’t fear, they will let you out.

Drive around to the lagoon, this would only be about 200m till you see the car park and an information board. Pull in there. This is the first time I have seen so much lush green grass, in a park. Good place for a picnic.

Camping on track: No

Track highlights: You are very close to Kawau Island. And there are great views of Whangaparaoa Bay. You might even get real close to the wandering cattle too!

Map of Tawharanui Ridge Walk :

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Detailed track description for
Tawharanui Ridge Walk:

Tawharanui Ridge Walk - Start

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To Maori Bay. South Coast Track

3.5km – 1 hour 30 Min

As you drive into the bay, look across to the other side of the bay and you will see the ridge you will be walking along. At the car park, cross over the bridge. Carry on to the base of the hill. Jump the fence, follow the white markers up the hill and away you go. A very pleasurable county walk. The walk is along the cliff top, there are a small number of little hills to walk up and down, but nothing to get a sweet over. The views are first-class.

Tawharanui Ridge Walk - Point 1

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When you start to walk along the ridge, you have a hand full of farm grates to open and close. There might be some farm stock on the track as well. Don’t worry about the stock they are trained to respect tourist, but they might try to catch you out with the odd patch of green sticky stuff, so watch where you put your feet.

Tawharanui Ridge Walk - Point 2

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As you start to walk through the gullys there are small patches of native scrubs scattered along the way, you are only minutes away from the turn off to Maori Bay. The turn off to Maori Bay has a sign you can’t miss.

Tawharanui Ridge Walk - Point 3

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Tokatu Point via Trig 30 Min – 1.5 km

From the turnoff, there is a slight uphill walk to the trig 10 min. At the trig, is a fantastic view of Anchor Beach.

Look behind you, at the fence line, there is a sign and the track leading out to the look out.

Tawharanui Ridge Walk - Point 4

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Jump the fence and then walk down hill through the stands of tea tree, to the coastal look out. Now, half way to the lookout is a fork to the right. If you have time, (An additional 20 min) take the right fork. The orange tapes you see tried to trees are where traps are laid for rats and stoats. The best views of the coast will be from this walk. From the cliff top, you can look down into the surf, a great place for fish spotting. If you get caught out with the weather or time, you can walk back via Anchor Bay.

From Tokatu Point to Anchor Bay 4.6 km – 1 H 15 Min

Walk back to the Trig, and follow the posts to Anchor Bay. This walk is a lot easier. Most of the way is downhill. The first 15 min is over farm land and the rest is over farm track, then gravel road into Anchor Bay. Then follow the gravel road back to the car.

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