From Matheson Bay to Goat Island

 

[Mangawhai Walking Weekend, March 28-30, 2014]
  
From Jean Goldschmidt
 
This outstanding coastal walk is actually four walks joined together using the streets and roads of Leigh. From a Mangawhai point of view it is outstanding as the original town planners instituted a coastal walkway that continues to be maintained by the Council. If only this had happened in Mangawhai the Tracks Trust would not now be struggling to institute a coastal estuary walkway for Mangawhai enlisting the good-will of the land owners.

Driving to Goat Island the three of us meet another couple who then drive us all to Matheson Bay to begin the walk. The beach is full of hardy swimmers and groups of family picnickers.

The first track begins with a walk across the paddock to a popular well-established high-canopied very old bush path that takes us back up to the main road. New wooden steps, tree roots, rocks and the soft forest floor make for a variety of footing on the track. Following a stream up the hill we come across a pretty waterfall as well as a designated swimming hole with a platform and swinging rope.

At the main road we turn right to walk into Kendall Street and Hillside Road. Then it is up the easily seen wide concrete driveway past a seat and on to the start of the Leigh Coastal Walkway.

Following the signs on this charming walk we pass a number of interesting houses, perhaps baches, but most spectacular of all is the continuous wide swathes of closely mown grass on which we walk for most of the way. There are no fences between the public walkway and the houses. I wonder why the early planners gave Leigh a beautiful harbour walk but the planners of Mangawhai did not have the foresight to do the same. And what's more, the Council keeps it trimmed and attractive. Constantly we are stopping to view the spectacular scenery of the rugged coastline where the waves rush in, bouncing high as they smash against the rocks. We emerge eventually at the Leigh Cemetery.
What follows is a short street walk down Harbour View into Wharf Street to the toilets near the wharf.

At low tide we can follow the old concrete car-width ledges, still used as an access to a house on the water's edge, past two old renovated houses that enjoy their isolated beach and so begin on the Leigh Harbour Walkway. Again we have a pleasant bush trail round the harbour edge; lovely on a hot summer's day. Now it is a time for mud on the boots as we cross on the right hand side to the top of the inlet up to the bridge and the road.

To connect to the Goat Island Walkway we have some tricky manoeuvering involving two kilometers of road walking. At the bridge the road to the right goes to a marae so is private. We turn to the left up the hill then right into Matheson Bush Road. All round us are the glorious vistas of countryside to absorb our thoughts or our chatter as we rediscover the joys of the world.

Where the stile is placed there is a sign with a map. Here were the first people on the track we had met so they were able to tell us that Little Barrier was the island in front of us. I found it hard to believe as it had a very different ridgeline from the double volcanic top I see every day. From this angle I see a series of rolling humps on the ridge. Great Barrier, Coromandel and the Hen are all in the view.

Over the stile we go, across paddocks on private land and down to a gate. Now we are around far enough to see Goat Island. Through the gate and we are on the newish Goat Island Walkway; an attractive pathway across open land into regenerating bush down to the Marine Centre and the car.

As usual for a summer weekend the Goat Island beach is full of snorkelers having a great time. So it is with us as we reflect on this spectacular coastal walk.

This walk is on the Mangawhai Walking Weekend programme so enjoy a day with the well prepared guides as they lead this special walk. A bus is used for transport as the track is not a loop.

■ Further details contact Jean Goldschmidt 431 5096 or mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz
 
 
DISTRACTIONS: Walkers are treated to lovely coastal views on the tracks around Leigh.