Wow, what stunning weather for us today here on the other side of Great Barrier Island. It’s very special because you don’t often get to sail around to this beautiful bay, the weather and swell is normally against you.

We anchored the boat yesterday and did this walk today. There is no man made track, we just made it up as we went along. It’s easy going on grass farmland.

The views are just breathtaking and everywhere you turn. Well worth stretching the legs for.

See below for the full walk description.

Quick facts about the Whangapoua Loop Walk

My 3d video of the walk

Track map of my walk

Full walk description

This walk provides spectacular views of Gt Barrier’s eastern coastline and inland towards the settlement of Okiwi with Mt Hobson in the distance.

There is no defined track as such, rather the walker follows the cattle tracks and fence line to the various lookout points. The walk is over the Mabey farm so please respect their property.

We set off from the small beach to the east of Tapuwai Pt/Whangapoua, after making sure the dinghy was left above the reach of the tide.

Initially, there is quite a steep zig zag climb to the Pohutukawa above Tapuwai Pt. From there you head north up the ridge to the fence line then follow the fence line NNW to the water tank on the highest point of the ridges.

Then descend NE along the fence line to where the ridge extending north intersects the track. As an option you can walk out to the end of this ridge to the peninsula between 2 small inlets. Returning to the fenceline, continue following it as far as you wish towards Waikaro Pt.

We went as far as the highest lookout point before retracing our steps. To return to the beach take the cattle track beside the water trough and follow it thru the Manuka until above the large pohutukawa on the beach, then look for the track zig zagging  down the gully towards it.

It’s well worth the effort for the views.

Best of my photos, there were so many!