- Flat 10 km loop around the Waikareao Estuary, an easy walk close to central Tauranga
- Boardwalk, gravel, and sealed footpath the whole way, buggy and pram friendly
- Boardwalks cross tidal mangroves and marshland, with plenty of birdlife to spot
- Toilets at Coach Drive Park, three cafes near the trailheads to refuel afterwards
- Dogs, check the current council rules, a leash requirement may be introduced soon
Quick facts
Getting there
The Waikareao Estuary Walkway sits right on the edge of central Tauranga, you can walk there from the CBD in about 30 minutes. Car parking is available at Maxwells Road, at Coach Drive, and at the Waihi Road entrance to Takitimu Drive, so you can start wherever suits your loop.
Because it is a loop, you can join the track from any of these points or from any of the side paths that connect to the walkway, there is no single official start.
The walk
I like to start this loop from Maxwell Road, it is only 200 metres from a good little French cafe with excellent coffee and cakes. From here the track is easy to follow, just keep the estuary on your side and follow the gravel path.
The next stretch runs through a short section of regrowth native bush, more scrub than forest really, but this is where the birds sing their hearts out if you get there early enough. Coach Drive Park is the one and only toilet stop on the whole loop.
Past Coach Drive the walk gets more interesting, mud crabs scuttle around the mangroves and you will need to watch your footing on the boardwalk boards. A couple of side tracks head off to the right back up into the built up area, keep left and stay on the estuary edge. When you reach Waihi Road, turn left and cross the road bridge to the other side of the channel.
From here you walk through a short park then alongside the motorway, this section is narrower and a little uneven underfoot. At Chapel Street keep left and walk through the petrol station forecourt, stay on the footpath past a favourite cafe of mine on the right, then cross the bridge back towards Maxwell Road to close the loop.
What you’ll see
Expect tidal mangroves, marshland, and a genuinely good variety of birdlife along this Tauranga estuary walk. Out in the middle of the estuary you will spot Motuopae Island, it is a sacred burial ground so stay off it and admire it from the boardwalk instead. On a clear day there are good views across to Mt Maunganui too.
Who it’s for
This is a walk for everyone. The surface is flat and smooth enough for prams and wheelchairs on most sections, though there are a few narrower boardwalk stretches. Runners use it for an easy loop, families use it for a Sunday stroll, and birdwatchers come for the mangrove residents.
When to go
Early morning is the pick of the day if you want the full birdsong chorus. Otherwise this Waikareao Estuary walkway is good any time, it is sheltered and mostly flat so wind and rain aside, conditions rarely rule it out.
Important stuff
- Dogs, check the current council rules before you go. Under the existing bylaw, dogs can be off leash on this path because leash rules only apply to footpaths, not paths through parks and reserves, but Tauranga City Council has proposed a new bylaw that would make this walkway leash only, so confirm the current position.
- Share the track with care, keep to the left where you can, and cyclists should use their bell when passing.
- The section alongside the motorway near Chapel Street is narrower and uneven underfoot, take extra care here with kids or prams.
- Motuopae Island is a sacred burial ground, stay off it, view it from the walkway only.
- Toilets are at Coach Drive Park only, plan accordingly.
My honest take
I have walked this loop plenty of times and it is one of the easiest, most reliable walks in Tauranga. I have passed women pushing prams the whole way round, the gravel and boardwalk surfaces are that good. The wooden boardwalks through the mangroves are the best part for me, especially early morning when the birds are going full noise. It is not a wild walk, you are never far from the motorway or the city, but it is a genuinely pleasant loop and hard to beat for convenience if you are staying in central Tauranga.
Common questions
How long is the Waikareao Estuary Walkway?
It is a 10 km loop and takes around 2 hours at an easy walking pace.
Is the Waikareao Estuary walk a loop?
Yes, it is a round trip loop around the estuary, you can join it at any point and walk it in either direction.
Where do you park for the Waikareao Estuary Walkway?
There is parking at Maxwells Road, at Coach Drive, and at the Waihi Road entrance to Takitimu Drive.
Can you take dogs on the Waikareao Estuary Walkway?
Check the current council rules before you go. A leash requirement has been proposed for this walkway, so the answer may have changed since you last checked.
Where is Waikareao Estuary?
It is right on the edge of central Tauranga, about a 30 minute walk from the CBD.
Other walks nearby
Back to Tauranga Walks.
