Walking this section
Introduction
Te Araroa section: This undulating farm and bush walk climbs up to offer trampers spectacular views of Kaipara Harbour and Mangawhai Heads. It is both a highlight of Te Araroa and a distinct, valuable day walk
Tide timetable for Bream Tail: Check the best times for walking.
Cove Road carpark to Mangawhai Heads - 7.4km
From the DOC carpark on Cove Rd, walk downhill to your left (northwest) for 0.5 km to opposite the gates where the the concrete driveway you previously followed ends. Bream Tail Road branches due east off Cove Road
Follow the no-exit Bream Tail Road (like a private driveway) as it climbs uphill through farmland, offering spectacular views of the coast. Please leave farm gates as you find them. You can use stiles where provided.
After 1.8km, you leave the road & follow markers across a pasture to reach another tarmac driveway (part of a subdivision). Turn right for a few metres, then it’s back into the pasture and down a south-eastern spur, across a marshy area at the bottom, then straight up by the bushline and over a steep hill.
Follow the well-benched track that then zigs northeast down into a bush gully (kauri galore), then zig-zags up the other side to come out at another section of the tarmac driveway. Just over the bank on the other side of it is DOC’s Mangawhai Walkway, 3.5 km to Mangawhai Heads. Turn right/south and follow the track along the cliffs and down to the beach. Continue along the beach to the carpark at Mangawhai Heads.
Mangawhai Walkway was built as a loop track, combining the clifftop walk with a beach walk. The beach walk is scenic, but not suitable near high tide. For section walkers, more information can be found at Mangawhai Walkway.
Getting there
Track conditions
- No dogs allowed
- Closed 1 August to 30 September for lambing
Accommodation
- Mangawhai Heads Motel - Mangawhai Heads Rd - P: 09 431 4675
- Mangawhai Lodge — 4 Heather St, Mangawhai Heads — P: 09 431 5311 — E: info@seaviewlodge.co.nz
- Mangawhai Heads Motel or Camping Ground, Mangawhai Heads Rd, Mangawhai Heads — P: 09 431 4675 — $15 per night
- Mangawhai Travellers Rest — 4 Insley St, Mangawhai Village (opp SuperValue) — P: 09 431 5389, 021 023 77242 (Alan/Lisa) — E: mangawhaitravellersrest@gmail.com — $20 per person inside, $15 per person camping, and a private room for two for $50 — Includes free wifi, recharging, shower and toilet.
Mangawhai Trail Hosts
- Mangawhai Camping — We have a basic cottage and tenting with water, electricity and toilet in our small orchard at Mangawhai village, close to Shops and Food. Donation of $10pp appreciated. Call first please on Oh too wun 796 496. Your hosts — Mark and Kerry
Food and supplies
- 4 Four Square - 3 Wood Street, Mangawhai Heads - P: 09 431 4656
- Mangawhai Deli - Shop 2, 7 Wood Street, Mangawhai Heads - P: 09 431 5887
- Supervalue - Moir Street, Mangawhai Village - P: 09 431 4585 Hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00am – 7:00pm
- New World supermarket - 83 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai. Hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00am – 9:00pm