Last Updated: 3rd Aug 2024
Tawharanui Loops
Last Updated: 3rd Aug 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 18 ?
Gnarl Factor: 12 ?
18.0km
460m
460m
101m
Last Updated: 3rd Aug 2024
Last Updated: 3rd Aug 2024
Open
Grunt Factor: 18 ?
Gnarl Factor: 12 ?
18.0km
460m
460m
101m
Front country - easily accessible
Loop
Undulating, some big hills
Native bush
Beach
Coastal
Open farmlands
Open ridges/tops
Sealed Road
Gravel Road
Farm Road / 4WD Track
Moderate Single Track
Average Uphill Gradient: +4.1%
Average Downhill Gradient: -5.3%
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2:45
Slow
2:00
Moderate
1:15
Fast
The larger outer loop is mainly coastal farmland with superb views onto Kawau Bay and Omaha Bay. The two inner loops are native bush trails.
From the carpark, head right alongside the beach until your reach the sign for the North Coast Track on your left.
Take the North Coast Track up to the top of Takatu point, where you will come across a short cliff top loop on your left.From the top of Takatu point, continue down towards the South Coast Track, which leads back to Takatu road.
From Takatu road head right towards the camp ground. At the campground head right, which will lead to a track onto the beach
From the beach return back to the Fishermans Track, which leads back up to the top of Takatu Point
From Takatu Point, head down the North Coast Track until you reach the Eco Trail on your left.
From the Eco trail, return to the carpark.
If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.
Take State Highway 1 north to Warkworth. Follow the signs to Matakana. Just past Matakana turn right at the Omaha turn off and drive along Takatu Road, following the signs to the Tawharanui Regional Park.
15 km
23 minutes
No
No
Moderate.
Generally good.
Short-sleeved thermal top, Windproof jacket, First aid kit, Cellphone, Map
Drinking water available at Anchor Bay and camping grounds.
Ok year round. Well maintained trails.
Cattle tend to congregate on the trail in places.
Matakana Oysters
The Green Shed 1217 Leigh Rd Matakana, 0985 NZ
https://www.matakanaoysters.co.nz
Oyster Soup
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Fastest Known Times (FKTs)
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Reminded me a lot about Shakespear Regional Park. Great location, stunning views. Some long rolling hills but runnable, also some steeper ones that I walked. Good mix of farmland trails and bush. Trails well sign posted although I did have to back track a couple of times. Had downloaded GPX file as backup. Very quiet early morning but got busy later on. Nice to finish off with a swim on the beautiful Tawharanui beach and stop at Matakana for lunch on the way back:)
April 10, 2022
Great run. Although I walked a fair few uphills, and somewhere along the way I took a wrong turn, although I covered all the tracks I only did about 16km. It was raining and windy from the south, made for lots of excitement especially out at the Takatu Point!A few sheep and cows, but I did not see another human on the track, finished by about 9.30am and still only three cars in the park. And the campground was empty, must be closed because of Covid-19.Loved it!
June 1, 2020
Tawharanui is a beautiful spot to visit, whether heading to the beach or over the trails. I love the combination in this of exploring the rocky point of the peninsula over cliffs that plunge to the beach before a great vista of Little Barrier, rolling over the headland farmlands, and climbing up and down the reforested gullies full of bird life. Good soul food!
January 30, 2020
These overlap with this trail to some degree. You may wish to combine them but please note that to qualify for FKTs on these runs you should record a separate activity for each.
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