A short walk of 20 minutes through mangroves to the south of the city. This page contains information about the walkway at Portland on the southern side of Whangarei Harbour.
Updated:
9/11/2012 4:01 p.m.
What's special about Portland
Portland has developed around the mining and processing of limestone to make cement. This historic process is still alive today with Golden Bay Cement using the Whangarei Harbour to ship cement around the country.
The Portland track gives a good vantage point from where this industrial heritage, both old and new can be viewed.
Track description
| Portland |
1 |
20 minutes (one way) |
335 metres |
The track is essentially surfaced, winding through mangrove swamp and out to a rocky point. There are great views over the harbour and a variety of birdlife to be observed.
What to expect
- easy walking. The concrete surface is smooth in places however and can get slippery.
- it is not possible to make a circular walk but there is the option of an additional nearby walk courtesy of Golden Bay Cement. Their route comes highly recommended and is marked off McGill Road, nearby.
To download and print a map of the track, follow the link below.
Portland track map [153.7kb]
How to get to Portland
From Whangarei, take State Highway One to the south through Otaika. At the junction with Portland Road, about 3.5 km from Otaika, turn left onto Portland Road.
Follow Portland Road towards the cement works, over the railway bridge (almost to the factory entrance) then turn left into Portland Wharf Road. The track starts a further 240 metres on the left, where there is limited parking.