(North to South)
From Mangawhai Heads carpark, follow the road to the walkway by 44 Wintle St which leads down to the estuary. Follow the estuary past a camping ground, a boat ramp & holiday baches until wooden steps lead up to the Findlay Street walkway. From Findlay Street, head left into Molesworth Drive until reaching Mangawhai Village. Then a right into Moir St, left into Insley St and across the estuary then left into Black Swamp Rd. Follow this road until reaching Pacific Rd which leads you through a forestry block to the beach and the next stage of Te Araroa.
Bypass Note: You could obtain a boat ride across the estuary to the Mangawhai Spit to avoid the road walking section. Care of sand-nesting birds is required on this Scientific Wildlife Reserve - please stick to the shoreline.
No dogs allowed
Lower tide best: check best times for walking on www.niwa.co.nz/our-services/online-services/tides.
Warning; when heavy rain & high tide coincide these rivers can be deep; never cross flooded rivers; Environment Wildlife Sanctuary - avoid dune nesting sites; no dogs allowed.
Just 1km south, a stream cuts across the beach and it can go over thigh height, as can other water crossings on this track. Follow the coast southwards for another 2km, then take the track over Te Arai Point. Once back on the beach, continue south for 12km (fording Poutawa Stream on the way) until you cross the Pakiri River then head inland to reach the end of Pakiri River Road.
**Please take care all the way down the beach and avoid entering taped/marked nesting sites, particularly if needing to venture upstream to cross. Where possible, avoid the sand-dune area altogether.
- Vehicles on road or track
- Forestry operations
- Tides, waves & rivers - safer at low tide
- River crossings - Never cross flooded rivers
- Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
- If swimming, beware of rips.
(North to South)
From Mangawhai Heads carpark, follow the road to the walkway by 44 Wintle St which leads down to the estuary. Follow the estuary past a camping ground, a boat ramp & holiday baches until wooden steps lead up to the Findlay Street walkway. From Findlay Street, head left into Molesworth Drive until reaching Mangawhai Village. Then a right into Moir St, left into Insley St and across the estuary then left into Black Swamp Rd. Follow this road until reaching Pacific Rd which leads you through a forestry block to the beach and the next stage of Te Araroa.
Bypass Note: You could obtain a boat ride across the estuary to the Mangawhai Spit to avoid the road walking section. Care of sand-nesting birds is required on this Scientific Wildlife Reserve - please stick to the shoreline.
No dogs allowed
Lower tide best: check best times for walking on www.niwa.co.nz/our-services/online-services/tides.
Warning; when heavy rain & high tide coincide these rivers can be deep; never cross flooded rivers; Environment Wildlife Sanctuary - avoid dune nesting sites; no dogs allowed.
Just 1km south, a stream cuts across the beach and it can go over thigh height, as can other water crossings on this track. Follow the coast southwards for another 2km, then take the track over Te Arai Point. Once back on the beach, continue south for 12km (fording Poutawa Stream on the way) until you cross the Pakiri River then head inland to reach the end of Pakiri River Road.
**Please take care all the way down the beach and avoid entering taped/marked nesting sites, particularly if needing to venture upstream to cross. Where possible, avoid the sand-dune area altogether.
Mangawhai Heads
Getting to/from the start
Te Araroa's Auckland region begins at Mangawhai Heads, a popular holiday and surf destination which is accessible by road. Unfortunately, long haul bus services pass by 19kms away at Kaiwaka so getting to Mangawhai would necessitate a pre-arranged pick up by a willing accommodation provider - see Local Transport below.
Local Tranpsort
Leabourn Shuttles P: 09 423 7416 - E: info@leabourn.co.nz
General / Visitor Information
Carters’s Mangawhai Information Centre - Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads (entrance Mangawhai Golf Club) - P: 09 431 5090 - E: mangawhaiinfo@xtra.co.nz
Resupply -Mangawhai Deli - Wood Street Shops - P: 09 431 5887
Mangawhai Village
Note: there is no tenting allowed; there is a small SCC campground (up to 10 SCC campervans) for SCC campervans only, pre booking through the Auckland Council is required.
Pakiri
Accommodation
Millers Ark Retreat - Pakiri Beach behind the sand dunes, an 8min walk through the bush marked with a red flag on the beach (gps coordinates -36.214411, 174.692913) - P: 09 4315266 or 021 422787 or 022 0917199, Paul and Josephine Miller. Pitch a tent in the olive grove ($20pp), or a caravan ($30pp) and cabin ($30pp, $60 couple, includes TV) also available. All prices include hot shower, toilet and kitchen, fresh drinking water, self serve tea and plunger coffee and wifi. Extra food and drink available for purchase. Cash only please.
Pakiri Beach Holiday Park - 261 Pakiri River Rd, Pakiri (just as you come off Pakiri Beach) - P: 09 422 6199 - E: pakiri@khh.co.nz - Camping, cabins & motel units. Camp store stocks a variety of food, drinks, toiletries, fresh milk and bread.
- Respect private land
- No litter
- No dogs
- No taking plants
- No fires
- Take all rubbish with you
- Wildlife Sanctuary - Avoid dune nesting sites; no dogs allowed
(Start)
- Full range of amenities in Mangawhai
(On Route)
- Carpark Te Arai Point
- Picnic area Te Arai Point
- Toilets Te Arai Point
(End)
- Carpark
- Toilets
- Shop
- Phone
- Serviced Campsite
- Accommodation Pakiri Beach Holiday Park
