New Zealand Walk: On a clear day you can see forever Otawa to Otane-Wainuku Ridgeline
The Otawa - Otanewainuku ridge forms an impressive southern bulwark to the city of Tauranga. It is also the location of a 23 kilometre trail over moderate terrain, which appears to be used relatively little despite its proximity to a large number of people.
For its entire length, the track keeps to the ridgeline. It is wellmarked, though slightly overgrown in parts. Apart from Whataroa stream at the southern end, it is also completely waterless, so plenty must be carried.
You can walk the entire length in eight to ten hours, so it presents the opportunity for a long summer day-walk or two separate day-walks hinging on Demeter Road. Split the trail into two halves, walking from Upper Papamoa Road to Demeter Road on one occasion, and from Demeter Road to Mountain Road as a second excursion. The first daywalk can be shortened by exiting to Manoeka Road.
Beginning at the seaward end, the walk initially traverses the Otawa Scenic Reserve, located in the Papamoa
Hills. At the top of Upper Papamoa Road a small sign indicates the start. Access to the reserve is across private farmland via a formed farm vehicle track, then past the four-legged Whareotetarakeho Trig (331m), where there are excellent views over the Bay of Plenty coastline.
Entering the forest, the track then follows the gently undulating crests to Otawa Trig (565m). Some gigantic boulders are passed, perching like marooned meteorites. The trig is an ideal place to stop for an early lunch.
A short distance beyond, a branch to the left descends steeply to Manoeka Road, while the one to the right leads on to Otanewainuku. The track proceeds south along the main ridge, up over knobs and down into saddles between, with occasional glimpses of the surrounding countryside. Tawa and rewarewa dominate the canopy.
Eventually you break out onto what appears to be an old pack-track
— flat, wide and grassy. At the end of this, the track re-enters the bush. The access from Demeter Road joins from the east about 15 minutes south of here. It’s just a 40 minute descent, so if you have arranged a pick-up or deposited a vehicle this is the obvious place to end your first day-walk.
For a second day-walk, enter by ascending from Demeter Road and turn south once you hit the ridgeline junction.
After a couple of hours the route emerges from the bush to meet the back of the Pendergrast farm. It then hugs the fence line along the farm boundary, dotted with blackberry. A sign invites you to enjoy the views from the farmhouse verandah.
On leaving the pastures, drop down a short spur to Whataroa Falls, the highlight of the trip. The Falls descend in a series of spectacular cascades into a deep valley. The uppermost cascade has a great swimming pool in an idyllic setting. It is possible to pick up a short rough trail on the true left to the lower cascades, but care is needed. Allow a good chunk of time to linger here.
From Whataroa Falls, it is easy going through the remainder of the Otanewainuku Scenic Reserve. The track ripples southwards, crossing one small creek, to join the Rimu Walk loop, a relatively short distance from Mountain Road. Some impressive rimu trees are seen. An intentional pest-reduction programme has enabled the recent liberation of kiwi into this area.
The Otanewainuku Shelter (journey’s end) affords seats, tables and toilets. It is a pleasant place to catch your breath while those with energy to spare undertake the loop track to the summit lookout. By then, your pre-arranged transport will hopefully be there to meet you!
Longstanding residents of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui seem only dimly aware of the Otawa Otanewainuku traverse. This is a shame, as it provides an enjoyable alternative to the Kaimai - Mamaku Ranges further west and is certainly a good workout when preparing for tougher challenges!
Footsteps Walking Club of Aotearoa New Zealand has this trail in its Bay of Plenty repertoire, just one of twenty regions where it offers the very best day-walks available. For further information contact them: footstepsanz@gmail.com,
07 544 9509, 021 172 3244.