Coast to Coast - Rocky Bay to Onetangi

3 hours
Bi-Directional
Grade 6
8.5 km

This beautiful walk starts at Rocky Bay (Omiha) on the South coast of the Island and crosses the Island to Onetangi Beach on the Northern Coast.

Location

Beginning at the Omiha Memorial Hall in Rocky Bay, wander along the shores of Whakanewha Bay, through Whakanewha Regional Park, the Cascades loop, up to Trig Hill and ramble down through reserves and past baches to Onetangi Beach.

The start point is the Omiha Memorial Hall in Rocky Bay. As this is a one-way walk, you might want to take the Rocky Bay bus to the start point. If you have a car, you could leave it in the Placemakers carpark which is on the route for both the Onetangi & Rocky Bay bus services. You can then catch the bus from the carpark to Rocky Bay, and from Onetangi Beach back to your car.

Track Summary

The first part is up the road from the Memorial Hall into the back of Whakanewha Bay. From there the track undulates downwards to skirt around the coastline before entering the beautiful, shady nikau grove within the Whakanewha Regional Park. There are a few stream crossings before the track emerges onto Trig Hill Road to reveal 360 degree views. From there, it’s downhill, on the road and along reserve boardwalks and stairs down to the beach.

Well-maintained, gently graded park tracks, with a small amount of road walking. Predominantly gravel and dirt tracks with some steps, with mostly gentle inclines. A few stream crossings.

Due to a section near to the beach with nesting rare New Zealand dotterels, no dogs are allowed on this walk. (See Whakanewha Dog Loop walk for a dog-friendly alternative).

Supple jack, epiphytes, giant tree ferns and rata vine are just some of the flora along the route. Tūī, pīwakawaka (fantails), kererū (wood pigeons) and kōtare (kingfisher) may be seen in the bush, and the rare NZ dotterel and other shore birds found foraging along the beach.

Click on the “Directions” tab (above) for detailed walking directions. On a mobile phone “Directions” is a dropdown option in the “Overview” bar.

The start point is the Omiha Memorial Hall in Rocky Bay.

Head uphill along the road and turn right into Omiha Road. Follow Omiha Road up and along to the Upland Road Track start, just past the street sign indicating Omiha Road becomes Upland Rd.

Clean your shoes against kauri Dieback Disease at the KDD station, by scrubbing the soles clean of dirt, then spraying them.

Follow the Upland Track as it winds gently down, around corners with views and past picnic tables.

Follow the Cathedral Track signs towards the park entrance.

Then take Dotties Lane as it winds through young forest and emerges into open parkland behind the beach.

Follow the Dotties Lane track markers, and signs towards the Sculpture carpark (& the toilets).

From the Carpark, follow the signs for the Cascades, past the toilets, and cross the road.

On the other side of the road, take the Nikau track as it winds through Nikau forest, then crosses the valley floor and begins to climb.

At the fork in the track follow the sign right for Cascades via Tarata track. This is a good spot for a breather on the seat.

Follow the Tarata Track up to the wide, flat Central Track. Turn left onto Central Track.

And almost immediately look for the Mamaku Track sign on your right.

Follow Mamaku Track to the Cascades. There’s a beautiful loop down the small cascade waterfall and back up to Mamaku Track, that’s worth the extra steps.

Follow the Mamaku Track over multiple stream crossings until you emerge at a private gravel road.

Cross the road and continue along the track following the Te Ara Hura red markers and yellow & Green track markers.

This pretty section of the walk meanders behind vineyards close to the airfield and has bridges over the stream crossings.

Detours to Bach Winery & Peacock Sky are well sign posted.

The track emerges from the canopy to a grassy hill, follow the Te Ara Hura red markers and yellow & Green track markers across the hillside eventually running parallel to a private gravel road.

Follow the path onto the sealed road (Trig Hill Road), and then walk up the road (watching out for traffic) past the zipline to Pukeatua Reserve Trig Hill.

This is a great place to stop to admire the views, and take photos.

From here, follow the road downhill, and until you see the Tramping Track to Victoria Road South sign on your right.

Take the stairs, down, down, down and turn left onto Victoria Road South. Follow Victoria Road South, past Hobson Terrace and turn right into Marine View Road.

Keep an eye out to the right for the stairs and sign Route to Victoria Road North.

Take the stairs down through this beautiful shaded and boardwalked reserve.

Turn left at Victoria Road North, and follow the road down to Waiheke Road. Turn right onto Waiheke Road, watching for fast moving traffic, then cross Waiheke Road onto Third Ave.

Follow Third Ave down to Onetangi Beach.

Reward yourself with an ice cream or a drink at one of Onetangi’s cafes and restaurants.

If you’re returning by bus, the bus stop is in Fourth Ave.
If you’re in Third Ave facing the sea, Fourth Ave is to your left. Turn left into the Strand (running parallel to the beach), then take the first left into Fourth Ave.