WALKS & TREKS

The Bay of Islands and Te Rawhiti peninsula provide a wonderful choice of walks and tramps (hikes). Some are accessible by water only, such as Moturua, Motuarohia Island Track and Urupukapuka Island tracks, whereas others are accessible by road. There are also short walks available from Russell itself.

The Cape Brett Walk is spectacular and requires a reasonable degree of fitness. The track provides outstanding views of the outer Bay of Islands, north to the Cavalli Islands and south to Whangaruru and beyond to the Poor Knights Islands. Guided or self-walking tours are available.

Other tracks such as the walk to Oke Bay or Whangamumu harbour are equally beautiful but shorter and suitable for most people. Most are well signed and maps for Department of Conservation maintained walks are available from the visitor centre in Russell.

A new walkway which will eventually link Okiato with Russell via Orongo Bay is now under construction. Built by volunteers, the first section from Pipiroa Bay is already open, starting at the mangroves and wetlands at Pipiroa and winding up a gentle valley through lush coastal forest containing stands of tall Tanekaha (Celery Pine), Kahikitea and Kohekohe. Currently the track ends at Aucks Road but the next section through Te Wahapu and on to Orongo Bay is being worked on. To access the track, look for the 'Walkway' sign at Pipiroa Bay Road.

Native kauri trees in Ngaiotonga forest are only a short walk from the road and are easily accessible.