Matiatia to Oneroa – the Mokemoke Pā headland walk

2 hours
Bi-Directional
Grade 7
5.5 km

This stunning coastal walk is a longer and more challenging option than our other walks from Matiatia to Oneroa village. If you are going to tackle the Te Ara Hura trail, the 100km walking adventure around Waiheke Island, this could be your first taste!

Location

This walk starts at the Matiatia ferry terminal, one of the key arrival points for Waiheke Island visitors.

Transport/car-pooling/parking

Bus: You can catch any bus through Oneroa village to return to Matiatia and the ferry.

Car: Park at the start in the ferry car park, and catch any bus back to your car. If you have 2 cars leave one at each end, there is plenty of parking at both ends of the walk.

Track summary

This elevated coastal path takes the scenic route from Matiatia around the coast to Cable Bay (not the winery) and Owhanake Bay, and on to Oneroa village.

The track passes the historic Mokemoke Pā site along with multi-million dollar homes dotted around the coast, and dips in and out of tranquil unpopulated coves and bays.

Mostly narrow dirt track, some grassy sections, with lots of ups and downs, and many, many steps. Can be slippery after rain.

Note: this track is not accessible at Matiatia 1.5 hours each side of high tide.

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

From the ferry terminal go left, north toward the dinghy racks and look for the track start sign.

Walk down the sealed ramp to the beach, and follow the beach around toward the red shed.

Pick up the single track not far past the red shed, marked with the sign to Cable Bay (not the winery).

Follow the trail out to the first headland.

There is a picnic seat over looking the Mokemoke Pā. This conspicuous headland was a strategic defensive site for the people of Matiatia from the 1500s until the 1700s.

Follow the trail down to the first gravel beach and meander up the next hill once past the Pā. Follow the trail as it winds up and down through coves and round corners revealing views.

Don’t forget to stop and look behind you. Enjoy the spectacular views out toward the city, and out past Rakino Island.

Lots of beautiful pohutakawa trees and large puriri trees dot the cliffs.

As you walk past the coastal homes and manicured grounds, keep a look out for some interesting sculptures. The path becomes grassy and widens, follow the yellow and green markers and keep to the public track.

Round the headland, look out for boats anchored in Owhanake Bay.

Descend down to Cable Bay (where the main power cable for the island used to be). There is a fantastic sculpture to enjoy in this bay.

Follow the steps up (and up!) and towards Owhanake Bay, 3.5km from the starting point.

There is an alternative route signposted from Cable Bay back up to Delamore Drive. Note: this isn’t a faster or easier way back to the village!

Follow the track to Owhanake Bay, which opens up to a wide, grassy reserve. At the picnic seat, head away from the beach, across the reserve toward the road.

With your back to the sea, exit the reserve onto Korora Road, turn right, and follow this quiet street for about 5 minutes until reaching signs down to Oneroa Beach. The gravel road down to the beach is on a sharp bend in Korora Road (picture below).

Walk along this beautiful beach until you see the toilet block and from there, take the track up to Oceanview Road and Oneroa village.