Maori Bay Coast Walk / South Coast Loop Track

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Marios Gavalas

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Warkworth, Auckland Region

Camping near Warkworth

Web_camping_map_auckland_region_overview

Information

approx 7 km return | 2 hours 15 minutes return

Tawharanui Regional Park sits on the tip of a protruding limb of resistant greywacke, which commands spectacular views in all directions.

Compared to the relative intimacy of inner Waitemata Harbour inlets and coves, the views at Tawharanui Regional Park are on a grander scale. The inner Hauraki Gulf islands are replaced with the Moehau Range of the Coromandel Peninsula, Great Barrier Island, Little Barrier Island, Hen and Chickens Islands and Bream Head.

A network of tracks criss-cross the park. Most are either on a metalled surface or over a grass track on pastureland.

There are three loop walks through pasture and forest, over craggy coastal rocks and along golden sandy beaches.

Walking Track

Timing

3 hours either side of low tide you can follow the coast from Jones Bay to Maori Bay. This takes 1 hour of hopping over coastal boulders, rock shelves and pebble strewn beaches.

Access

Access to Tawharanui Regional Park is signposted past Matakana along Takatu Road.

There are toilets at Anchor Bay and near the information buildings. Picnic tables and parking are at the Lagoon Carpark on the entrance road and at Anchor Bay at the roadend.

The start of the track is signposted from the Lagoon Carpark.

Track

Take care familiarising yourself with the track layout on the information panels, as it can be complicated to decipher.

3 hours either side of low tide you can follow the coast from Jones Bay to Maori Bay. This takes 1 hour of hopping over coastal boulders, rock shelves and pebble strewn beaches.

After approximately 45 minutes look for the large rock that resembles an unfurling elephant trunk. The steep grass track from Maori Bay is just the other side of the next headland.

The final 1¼ hours weaves through regenerating forest and pastureland along the South Coast Track. This section of the walk is signposted and marked with white banded posts.

Geology

Views of the northern side of Kawau Island and the Kawau Channel shelter the intimacy of the sinuous coastline around Snells Beach and the eastern arm of Mahurangi Harbour.

Fauna

The rock pools on the coastal section of the walk are interesting to dredge through.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

Auckland Regional Council

Council organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Auckland Region ▷ Warkworth

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-36.3739240122396

174.819652938843

Latitude
-36.3739240122396
Longitude
174.819652938843

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	3km to 10km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 3km to 10km
Track Duration	2 to 4 hours Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 2 to 4 hours	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 2 to 4 hours
Track Difficulty	Moderate walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Moderate walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Moderate walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Track Accommodation	Campsite Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Campsite At least one campsite is available on this track to stay at overnight.	Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Campsite At least one campsite is available on this track to stay at overnight.
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting