Bay of Islands & Northland - New Zealand's North Island - page 247

explore the forest (there are two short walks: the 20-minute Kauri Grove Nature Walk and the
10-minute Twin Bole Kauri Walk ), you're better off veering right onto the sealed Rawhiti Rd.
After 2.6km, a side road leads to the Whangaruru North Head Scenic Reserve , which has
beaches, walking tracks and fine scenery. A loop route from DOC's Puriri Bay Campsite (
09-433 6160; www.doc.govt.nz ; sites per adult/child $10/5) leads up to a ridge, offering a remarkable
coastal panorama.
If you want to head directly to Russell, continue along Rawhiti Rd for another 7km be-
fore veering left onto Manawaora Rd, which skirts a succession of tiny idyllic bays before
reconnecting with Russell Rd.
Otherwise take a detour to isolated Rawhiti , a small Ngapuhi settlement where life still
revolves around the marae (meeting house). Rawhiti is the starting point for the tramp to
Cape Brett, a tiring eight-hour, 16.3km walk to the top of the peninsula, where overnight
stays are possible in DOC's Cape Brett Hut (dm $15) . The hut must be booked in advance. An
access fee is charged for crossing private land (adult/child $30/15), which you can pay at
the Paihia i-SITE ( Click here ) . Another option is to take a water taxi to Cape Brett light-
house from Russell or Paihia and walk back.
A shorter one-hour walk leads through Maori land and the Whangamumu Scenic Reserve to
Whangamumu Harbour . There are more than 40 ancient Maori sites on the peninsula and the
remains of an unusual whaling station.
POU HERENGA TAI TWIN COAST CYCLE TRAIL
Planned to be completed by late 2014, this cycle route stretches from the Bay of Islands clear across the country
to the Hokianga Harbour. OK, so that's only 84km, but as far as we're concerned that still gives you boasting
rights when you get home. The complete route will travel from Opua via Kawakawa, Ngawha Springs, Kaikohe
and finish up in Horeke.
At the time of research, around half of the total distance had been completed, and most popular was a 20km
section from Kaikohe to Okaihau , starting west of Kaikohe and passing through an abandoned rail tunnel before
skirting Lake Omapere . For maps, tips and updates on the progress of the trail, see www.nzcycletrail.com . Visit
www.toptrail.co.nz for details of bike hire and shuttle transport, including from Paihia if you're staying in the Bay
of Islands.