A series of short walks combining to form a longer coastal route past one of the newest marine reserves. This page contains information about the Reotahi coastal walkway at Whangarei Heads, including a description of the track and the features of interest to look out for.
Updated:
9/11/2012 4:01 p.m.
The Reotahi coastal walkway is described here as a single walk although it can be walked in shorter sections. It can also form part of a circular walk in conjunction with the Mount Aubrey track.
What's special about Reotahi
This is an easy walk along a stunning piece of coastline within the Whangarei Harbour. It skirts the Reotahi Marine Reserve and the remains of an historic meat processing plant with views over to the Marsden Point port and oil refinery.
Magnificent pohutukawa trees along the track are a feature of the walk.
Track description
This description is for the walk when taken from north to south.
| McLeod Bay to Reotahi - circular |
2 |
1.5 hours |
2.8 km |
Starting in McLeods Bay, turn into Stuart Road (just past the fire station). This is a no-exit street and the best parking option is in the vicinity of the community hall.
At the end of Stuart Road, a surfaced walkway follows the coast, along the edge of a Department of Conservation reserve. This is an easy section to walk with a few steps along the route. The track emerges onto Darch Point Road. Follow this road then turn right into Matuku Street and follow it to the bottom.
A bridge crosses the creek at the bottom of Matuku Street and the walkway passes over what appears to be someone’s lawn before turning left up to Norfolk Avenue. Turn right past the two impressive Norfolk Pine trees and into the reserve at the end. The walkway continues on the other side of the playground, going down some steps to Reotahi Road. Turn right by the beach and up into the car park at the end.
From the car park, the walkway continues past the Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve, named after Motukaroko Island within it. The path is an easy grade and mostly surfaced as it passes through the concrete remains of the old freezing works. This meat processing plant operated between 1910 and 1921, exporting frozen meat to England. The walkway continues east towards Little Munro Bay, passing the track up to Mount Aubrey on the left about 300 metres before the end.
At Little Munro Bay, follow the road up the hill out of the settlement until it joins the Whangarei Heads Road. Turn left and folow the path back to Stuart Road.
What to expect
- this is an easy walk, well marked but with some flights of steps in places.
- it can be walked in shorter sections if desired or as a longer circular walk including the Mount Aubrey track.
- the marine reserve at Reotahi can be busy at times and is a favourite spot for school study trips.
To download and print a copy of the walkway map, follow the link below.
Reotahi Coastal Walkway map [162.9kb]
For further information about the Mount Aubrey track, follow the link below.
Mount Aubrey
How to get to Reotahi
Follow the route from Whangarei signposted to the aiport and Whangarei Heads. Just past the shopping centre in Onerahi, turn left onto Whangarei Heads Road.
The scenic drive runs along the edge of Whangarei harbour through the settlements of Waikaraka, Tamaterau and Parua Bay.
After approximately 13 kms, take a right turn at the junction signposted to Whangarei Heads and follow the road through McLeod Bay.
Access including car parking, can be found at Stuart Road (McLeod Bay), limited parking at Beach Road (Reotahi) and Bay View Road (Little Munro Bay).