Bream Head Coast Walks - a bird watchers paradise
We set off next morning in unsettled weather to walk the Day One: Ody Road/ Ocean Beach.
It was a fairly bracing walk and a great day for photographing. The colours were gorgeous. The other three picked up rubbish along the beach while I took photos. Watching the petterel was fascinating. They are tiny, quite camouflaged and move quickly.
Claire picked us up at Ocean Beach and we went home for a hot shower or in my case an outside bubble bath with epsom salts to soothe the muscles.
Day two we opted to go from Ocean Road to Peach Cove Road as whiteheads were being released at about 3pm on the track up from the Peach Road car park.
The track up from Ocean Bay to the Bream Head lookout (476m) is fairly steep with many steps. We stopped to look back at the views of the shore line, the Whangarei Harbour and out to the lighthouse. After stopping at the notice board we took the loop track round to the remains of the naval radar station.
After lunching at the Bream Head lookout we ambled on past the Peach
Cove car park turn off to the top of the steps to Peach Cove but decided we wouldn’t have enough time to go down the 823 steps and be back in time for the bird release. We back tracked and waited at the release point. What a treat that was! About 100 birds.
Day three : Mt. Manaia/Mt Aubrey. Both these climbs had gravel paths and like the Te Whara track have lots of steps and steep sections but well worth the ef- fort. The views along the way and from the top are spectacular.
We had a lovely three days and highly recommend Bream Head Walks to all those who love walking and like a challenge.