The Bay of Island’s Walking Weekend - Walk ing the islands many accessible and afford able walks
The Bay of Islands Walking Weekend -
Tand the very endangered dotterel who insist on nesting near the high tide mark which further endangers its existence.
The views, lagoons, beaches and bush leave you breathless on every step of the journey. The walking is fabulous and you journey to some beautiful spots. This day trip is truly entertaining with its stories and majestic in its beauty. Totally unique and a real must do in the Bay of Islands.
Other walks by boat are Urupukapuka Island Walk, Project Island Song Walk, and walks on the Cape Brett Peninsula.
The Project Island Song Walk is a new walk this year where you can spend all day on Urupukapuka Island focusing predominantly on encounters with newly released birds, while walking the entire network of tracks.
Walk among regenerating native bush and trees, take in stunning sea views. Listen to the birdsong and spot reintroduced tieke (saddleback), tout- real treat and a perfect way to travel to your destination in the Bay of Islands.
Sail past the spot where Captain Cook anchored in 1769 just before we land barefooted on Motuarohia Island. Walk and talk - hearing some history of Cook, the firing of a canon and the theft of kumara from the locals. Learn of the ghastly murder of the whole family of Robertons who farmed there.
Re-join the ship for the short voyage to Moturua Island. More murders happened here more stories are told. Observe the feathered wild life, saddlebacks, tui, fantails, North Island robin, he Bay of Islands Walking Weekend has a huge variety of walks. We walk many of the islands and remote spots on the peninsula that are hard to access as individuals – the walking weekend makes it affordable and accessible. These walks are spectacular with breath taking scenery, amazing flora and fauna.
This is a must do all-time favourite for walkers on the weekend – the Moturua and Motuarohia Island Walk. Travel aboard the R Tucker Thompson, which is a total experience in itself – this amazing olde tall ship with its fantastic crew is a
Above left and middle: Birds on the Project Island Song Walk. Above far right: The Cape Brett Lighthouse at the top of the cliff. night there is a fun prize giving - though it’s not a competition we have some great prizes to give away and some funny stories to share after two days walking. This is a jovial affair with a shared meal and another of the culinary and social highlights of the weekend.
There are many walks to choose from - from an hour to all day. From easy to challenging, you can even walk one way and kayak back.
For information on all walks visit www.boiwalkingweekend.co.nz, or call 021 122 9307. ouwai (North Island robin), pōpokatea (whitehead) pāteke (brown teal) and many other species.
There is 21km of trail on the island and you will be walking and exploring 10 – 12km over the day.
This gives you an amazing experience on the island as you get to enjoy the islands hidden treasures, enjoy some kai, beautiful beaches and bird watching stations.
So what is Project Island Song? – Project Island Song is a partnership between community conservation group the Guardians of the Bay of Islands, local Rawhiti hapu (Ngati Kuta and Patukeha) and the Department of Conservation.
Project Island Song’s vision is the ecological restoration of the pest-free islands of Ipipiri in the eastern Bay of Islands to create an archipelago of sanctuaries that celebrates the native subtropical habitat, lush with vegetation and alive with birdsong.
They have just released Kakariki back into the islands which is just incredible. Enjoy this magic walk with guides who are experts in this habitat.
Food also seems to be at the centre of some of our walks. From simple White Bait Fritters cooked for you at the end of the Okiato to Orongo Bay walk, to pizzas and platters at Omata Estate or brunch at Charlottes Kitchen. All of these delights are deserved after several hours walk.
The walking weekend HQ is in the Russell Bowling Club, the Saturday