Mangawhai Walking Weekend to celebrate 20th anniversary
The March 2019 Mangawhai Walking Weekend is the 20th anniversary of this great walking event. The organisers believe this will be the best yet and we do hope you are able to help us celebrate.
Mangawhai is renowned for its beautiful harbour, beaches and Pacific and island vistas. Many of our walks exploit this backdrop.
Northland has large areas of beautiful native bush and Mangawhai is no exception. There are large areas of unspoilt bush, pristine spring-fed streams, waterfalls and magnificent ancient trees. Between the bush and the twin Kaipara and Mangawhai Harbours we are a farming, horticultural, wine producing and artisan community.
Many of the weekend events enable participants to go behind the scenes and talk to producers.
Many walks take place on private property, opened specially for the walking weekend including a selection of blokes’ sheds.
Mangawhai is just a 20 minute easy drive off State Highway 1 (about an hour north of Auckland). It offers a year-round destination for active visitors who enjoy participating in beach, bush and water-based activities.
Abundant accommodation is available along with cafes, fine and casual dining, golf courses, bowls, vineyards, food and artisan markets, museum and art gallery.
The weekend begins on Thursday 28th March with a day-long tramp exploring the outstanding Northland forest which provides the green backdrop to Mangawhai. The weekend closes with a celebration lunch on Sunday 31st March.
All told there are more than 30 events to select from, with walks graded from one to four. Participants can also select from several water-based activities and, of course, there is great food and entertainment aplenty.
Many of the walks exploit the scenic
beauty of the east coast. One, the Mangawhai Cliff Walk has an international following, but we would like to give a shout-out for: Te Arai Unwrapped Saturday - GRADE 2/3 Explore Te Arai, an unknown gem in the Auckland Regional Park network. Starting from the Te Arai Point car park we walk south over the headland capturing 360 degree panoramic views. We explore parts of the land purchased in 2008, home to highly sensitive dune lake ecosystems, wetlands, coastal broadleaf forest and regenerating forest cover, discovering hidden natural treasures, before emerging at Te Arai south beach for lunch. After a short walk along the golden sands of Forestry Beach we return via the headland track.
“Loved the variety, friendly well informed guides” – last year participant.
Degree of difficulty: Generally easy walking with two short steep climbs up to the trig and the headland ridge, three to four hours.
Equipment: Boots recommended but good walking shoes would be fine. Bring morning tea, lunch and water.
Sunday - features a selection of short accessible walks offering a variety of experiences for all ages guided by knowledgeable and entertaining guides. These coastal walkways and tracks explore pa sites, giant pohutukawas, pohutukawa groves, mature kanuka forest, old gum lands, jointed rush wetlands, local tales both fact and fiction and how Mangawhai aims to support New Zealand’s future Olympians. Sunday Celebration Lunch All walkers are invited to help us celebrate “20 years of Walking”.
We invite you to come along for a lovely BBQ lunch to share memories and socialise with other walkers. This will take place after the short walks on Sunday 31st.
With a total of 33 events over four days to choose from, please plan your bookings and check out full details at: www.mangawhaiwalking.co.nz
Our booking office is open online from 4th January 2019.