Pou Herenga Tai – Twin Coast Cycle Trail
Opua to Kawakawa - Mangroves, Mosaics & Main street trains!
Northland’s Great Ride and supporting businesses dotted along the trail have reopened and are waiting for trail users to experience the mid north! This is a call to action for Northlanders to come and experience your place and your people – the cycle trail is only an hour’s drive from Whangarei, Kaitaia and Dargaville.
Day trips are easily tailored across four manageable sections of the cycle trail, with accommodation available for those who wish to stay overnight or stretch it out to a weekend break.
The trail offers river and estuary views, pastural farmland, attractive hill country and valleys, native bush, suspension bridges, small towns, wetlands, and a mangrove estuary over a 1.2km boardwalk. The diversity of landscapes provides a crosssection of rural New Zealand from Opua on the east coast across to the Hokianga Harbour on the west. Northlanders can spend an evening in the Bay of Islands or right at the start of the trail in Opua the night before your ride begins. Options in Opua include the Marina Cove and the Opua Motel two Trail partner businesses offering quality Kiwi accommodation.
Opua is the first port for overseas yachts arriving in the country after crossing the Pacific Ocean. It is a small busy commercial port, and a large marina well utilised by the international offshore cruising fraternity.
Opua is the easternmost extremity of the cycleway, and from this point treats cyclists to marina views, established mangrove frontages, an estuary, and rivers that meander adjacent to cycle – it’s an easy ride. This section is 11km and runs along a disused rail corridor. The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway shares the rail corridor with the cycle trail and rail enthusiasts can take bikes aboard the train between Taumarere and Kawakawa.
The Kawakawa railway is the only operation that has trains travel down the middle of State Highway 1 and was reestablished in the late 1980s. This is a great add-on experience for all age groups.
While on the train or cycle trail look out for the Lav-a-Tree sculpture, an interesting array of toilet bowls and was created by the late Johnson Davis and his wife Lisa who is a local artist.
One should also include a visit to the world famous, Hundertwasser toilets - a great photo opportunity. The colourful toilet facility was designed by reclusive Austrian artist, Friedensreich Hundertwasser who lived near Kawakawa from 1975 until his death in 2000 aged 71. Hundertwasser recycled the community’s spent glass bottles and bricks from a former Bank of New Zealand, and requested that vegetation removed to allow construction be replanted on the building’s roof.
Kawakawa is a vigorous town lined by treasure troves: stylish gift shops, funky cafes, quintessential Kiwi takeaways, two classic pubs, and a fabulous selection of op-shops! It hosts Kings Theatre Creative, the largest of Northland’s many art galleries and located in the 1930s Kings Theatre. Just across the road is 39 Gillies St Café, a favourite with locals and visitors it boasts delectable food, coffee, and alfresco seating.
The township is flourishing with the creation of the new cultural hub, Te Hononga symbolising a meeting place, a coming together. The complex houses a library, service centre, public toilets and showers, gallery, workshop, and an interpretive centre, exploring the links between Friedensreich Hundertwasser and his adopted home. A stimulating venture born out of community collaboration and patient persistence, the design will become a must-see for Northland travellers when complete.
The cycle trail caters for all ages and abilities. Take your time, stop along the way, and enjoy one of the many jewels of the mid north.
https://www.twincoastcycletrail.kiwi.nz/ trail-details/