The start point is the ‘Sculpture car park’ on Gordons Road, in Whakanewha Regional Park. The easiest way to get here is by car.

From the carpark, before heading west on Dotties Lane, have a walk on the beach to the left once across the bridge. About 300m along the beach is a picnic area under magnificent Pohutukawa trees. Avoid turning right along the beach from the bridge, to protect the rare NZ dotterel nesting sites.

Dotties Lane runs parallel to the beach from the car parking area, follow along and veer right at the first fork, to continue onto Cathedral Track, see below. (Left on Cathedral track will lead to Omiha Road and into Rocky Bay).

At the top of Cathedral Track turn right into a shared driveway that leads down to the road.

Cross the junction of Gordons Rd and Carsons Rd and stay left, on Carsons Rd.

Pick up the track parallel to the road, through the gravel car park and continue straight ahead to start Tarata Track (see below).

Keep on Tarata track (don’t turn onto Kõwhai track), which stays high and undulates through beautiful bush and the occasional sweeping vistas where old slips have created a view point.

The track goes through lovely regenerating bush, kanuka and native forest.

At the junction (Tarata/Mamaku/Nikau tracks) follow the Mamaku and Te Ara Hura red sign toward the Cascades. The Mamaku track crosses Central Track, look diagonally to the left, then continue on the Te Ara Hura to the Cascades loop walk. (See below).

Return the same way, back across Central track and down to the Tarata track/Nikau track junction. At this point turn left to follow the Nikau track (through stunning Nikau forest) back toward the carpark and beach.