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Orokawa Scenic Reserve short walking tracks

Walking Trail
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Orokawa Bay

Walking:
40 mins - 2 hrs, easy difficulty

About the trail
Various walks. Take one of the short walks in the reserve or combine for a longer coastal walk. Get spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Waihi Beach, see bays with mature pōhutukawa trees leaning over a sandy beach.


Dog friendly: No

Things to know

No Dogs allowed. Caution: Track may be inaccessible at high tide.

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A full day coastal walk can be achieved by linking the short walks from Waihi Beach to Ngatitangata Road.

Walkers should take 4 hours to walk either direction from Waihi Beach to Ngatitangata Rd.

Waihi Beach to Orokawa Bay

  • Time: 45 min one way

The walk to Orokawa Bay starts at the northern end of Waihi Beach. It may not be possible to access this track from the beach at times of high tide and strong swell. The track is popular and skirts the coastal headlands before descending into Orokawa Bay. This beach is not considered safe for swimming due to the steep grade of the seafloor, but is popular for picnicking with its lovely overhanging pohutukawa.

Good fishing can be found off the rocks at the northern end of Orokawa Bay. Take care of tidal movements and wave conditions which can change suddenly.

Orokawa Bay to William Wright Falls

  • Time: 40 min one way

The William Wright Falls are located 40 minutes inland from the northern end of Orokawa Bay. The track is tramping grade with multiple stream crossings and should not be attempted in heavy rain.

Orokawa Bay to Homunga Bay

  • Time: 2 hr one way

The track winds around the headlands north of Orokaway Bay, leading to the popular fishing location of Homunga Bay.

Homunga Bay to Ngatitangata Road

  • Time: 45 - 60 min one way

Homunga Bay can be explored before returning the same way, or follow a pole-marked route through adjacent farmland to Ngatitangata Road.  As this is a steep climb up, many people who wish to do a one way choose to start here and walk through to Waihi Beach.

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Getting there

Orokawa Bay is located north of Waihi Beach, off State Highway 2 at the end of Waihi Beach road.  The track starts at the northern end of Waihi Beach.

Homunga Bay can be accessed from the end of Ngatitangata Road.

Know before you go

Caution: Track may be inaccessible at high tide.

Source: Department of Conservation (Banner and Hero image: 'Orokaway Bay' by Florian Pilz / Creative Commons)

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