Tawatawa Trails

The trail begins in the grounds of Tapu Te Ranga Marae, winds up through native bush cared for by the Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project, heads into and around Tawatawa Reserve, and passes the distinctive powhenua sculpture of Maori Chiefs by Bruce Stewart up on Tawatawa Ridge. It also traces a small part of the WUU2K course.

There is normally plenty of parking in the street, or the surrounding streets. Best not to leave valuables in sight in your car (as with anywhere really, just be sensible). Easy bus access from town - catch the number 1 or 4 out to Island Bay and just after you go down the hill into Island Bay (with the skate park/mountain bike track/golf course to your left and the Wakefield soccer pitch to your right), push the bell to get off. The bus will stop just past the roundabout - cross over the road and head up Dee street, at the end of that short street take a left onto Eden and then an immediate right onto Danube. The trail starts at the end of this short cul de sac

6 km

15 minutes

Yes

No

Moderate.

Some tracks are named and marked, others aren't. Because the South Coast is often in sight, that's a good orientation clue. The tricky bits to watch for are where the track splits just at the corner of the horse paddock above the marae (you want to take the right track that follows around the edge of the horse paddock), and getting on to the start of the Tawatawa Bush Track because it's not marked (you will have just come over a short run of stairs, and see a much longer run of stairs in front of you - the track you want is not the hard left at the bottom of the short run of stairs (cause that will just take you back to the reservoir - you'll follow that one when you come back later to this same point - but the next one to your left which will take you around the edge of the hill the bigger run of stairs comes down.)

Perfect throughout.

Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map.

None - you must carry your own. There is a concrete water trough up by the powhenua sculpture that dogs can drink out of (make sure you use the one marked for dogs, not the baths which are the horse troughs)

Pretty muddy in places after rain, as much of the track is dirt.

There are horses in the area - especially at the top of the Akiraho Track and the powhenua sculpture. There are also ducks, chickens and horses around the marae, so make sure you keep dogs on a lead through all those areas.

Blue Belle Cafe
142 The Parade, Island Bay
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Great coffee and pies!!

Floyd's Cafe
130 the Parade, Island Bay
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Great coffee and breakfasts

Empire Cinema
214 The Parade
https://www.empirecinema.nz/
Fantastic gelato!!