New events for Walking Weekend

 

Mangawhai’s famous Walking Weekend will have numerous fresh events available in 2017 including a ramble through Tern Point and Bream Tail, kayaking, and paddleboarding the Mangawhai estuary.

Along with traditional favourites like the Clifftop Walk, Waipu Coastal Trail and the two fabulous Tanekaha bush walks, all up there are 38 events to choose from.

“The team that puts the Mangawhai Walking Weekend together has everything lined up to make New Zealand’s oldest and finest walking weekend the best ever,” says organiser Dorothy Freeman.

While many of the guided walks can be revisited after the event, some are only made available by private landowners solely for the walking weekend. One of these is the Sunday March 26 Baldrock and Kauri Bush Walk. These popular combined walks have been available for the Mangawhai Walking Weekend for a number of years.

The prominent outcrop known as Baldrock (Pukepohatu – Hill of Rock) is located approximately 5 kilometres north of Kaiwaka and can be seen on the eastern side of the State Highway.

The property has been privately owned by the Coates family since the late 1800s. This walk is hosted by a direct descendent and the participants will learn first-hand of the Rock’s chequered history. This walk will also be accompanied by a prominent geologist who will give a short talk on the development and unusual composition of the rock.

The walk itself is 2 kilometres from the carpark at the base. From the summit walkers will experience a 360-degree view of the area at approximately 160 metres above sea level.

The second part of the walk will take participants through an area of regenerating native bush located 2 kilometres north of Baldrock known as Pretty Bush. The host for this walk is also a descendent of the original European settlers who will relate tales of the trials and tribulations of their early life, and of the timber industry and its impact on the area.

The bush itself has been fenced off and closed to the public for 50 years and has some fine examples of young and mature kauri, giant totara and many other natural flora and fauna.

This combined walk will take three hours, and is suited to the moderately fit.

Mangawhai Walking Weekend, March 25-26. Bookings open January 6 – book early to avoid disappointment. Go to www.mangawhaiwalking.co.nz.

IMPRESSIVE: Superb 360-degree views from the summit of Baldrock. PHOTO/Supplied