Popular walking weekend back on activity calendar

17 Jan, 2023

The Mangawhai Walking Weekend on March 18-19 is a fun weekend of guided walks, exploring the beautiful beachside community of Mangawhai.

With a theme of ‘Beach, Bush and Beyond’, the weekend showcases the very best of Mangawhai’s ocean, estuary, bush and wider hinterland.

“This year’s programme is a mix of old favourites and new experiences, with all walks focussing on sharing local knowledge,” says Trish Whyte, chair of the Mangawhai Walking Weekend Trust.

“Joining the most popular walks from previous years, the new Jurassic Walk explores a fascinating ancient limestone karst landscape inland from Waipu.

“In Daring Venture, one of the new short walks, we are pleased to partner with the Mangawhai Museum and the Daring Trust to share some of the secrets of the 160-year-old schooner Daring.

Returning to the walk programme is the beautiful Thornleigh Farm walk. This farm has been nurtured by the same family since 1860. Hear about the changing times to survive and their sustainable farming success, current and future.

The Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society hosts a boat trip to the distal spit, stories of the history of the Big Dig, the planting programme, and the on-going efforts to secure a functioning harbour and protection for birdlife.

The Estuary Explore walk follows as close as possible the ‘round the harbour’ walkway that so many have long dreamed of. At places where it’s not possible to trace the coast, the walk navigates local tracks and walkways.

Foraging is the focus of a new short walk. Here walkers will learn about the unexpected bounty that can be found in a local garden.

“Three bush walks profile the pristine native bush found within the Tanekaha tracks network, offering different degrees of difficulty from grade 3 to grade 4.

“The fertile hinterland of Mangawhai is showcased on the Tastes of Tara and King where the owners of avocado, wine and olive orchards share their passion, practice and knowledge,” says Trish.

A Short History of Mangawhai entertains and informs, while those who have wondered about geological formations can find all the answers on the aptly named Geology walk.

Five other walks profiling beach, bush and beyond make up the total of 14 walks on offer this year. The walks range from easy to difficult.

“There is something for everyone,” adds Trish. “The weather is always fine and sunny in the golden north… come along and make a weekend of it.”

n Mangawhai Walking Weekend, March 18-19, 2023. Check out New Zealand’s oldest and most exciting walking weekend. Bookings are essential as numbers on each walk are limited. Full details at mangawhaiwalking.co.nz. Bookings are now being taken.

With a theme of ‘Beach, Bush and Beyond’, walkers can enjoy the very best of Mangawhai’s water, bush and rural views. PHOTO/SUPPLIED