kanoe
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Tutukaka ▷
Whale Bay to Matapouri Bay Loop Walk
4.0/5
Quite a lovely, short walk with access to several beaches - most notable are Whale Bay and Matapouri Bay.
There are some amazing pockets of Nikau Palms and many great views of the coast and the Poor Knights Islands. We explored most of mapped trails with a mountain buggy but the trails are NOT easy with a stroller.
The little advertised Mermaid Pool Track (not on WDC maps) is very good but is very difficult to navigate (not child friendly and impossible with a stroller). The Mermaid Pool Track can be accessed from the end of Matapouri Bay at low tide only and it is not recommended in wet weather.
The best of the Headland Track is the Pirate's Perch Lookout.
(Although parking is available close to the Whale Bay entrance, it is recommended to park in Matapouri and take one of the tracks in as security for the Whale Bay parking lot has had problems in the past.)
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Whangarei ▷
Busby Head Track
5.0/5
Great little hike with wonderful views along the way.
Track goes through grazing paddocks, along beaches, and under the canopy of native bush. Be sure to check out the inside of the military observation post. The tramp took about 2 hours with children - hike is family friendly but some parts of the trail have steep drop-offs. Clean toilet facilities at the start of the track.