Mangakaretu to Kerikeri
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Walking
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Cycling
Te Araroa section: This route passes through farmland and pine forest and affords sweeping views of the Bay of Islands before arriving at the Kerikeri Basin, where Māori welcomed missionaries in 1819 to establish a Church Mission Settlement. Beautiful Kerikeri is one of New Zealand’s most historic sites.
Mangakaretu track - 17.5km / 6 hrs to SH10 overbridge and picnic area
Note. The Mangakaretu tracks pass alongside and between bull paddocks. It is essential to stay on the track, keep steadily moving, and to avoid wearing bright-coloured clothing.
At times Landcorp may close this Upper Track for farming operations (see trail status alerts). If signage indicates that the Upper Track is closed, continue south down Waiare Road for another 3 km to the crossroads with Puketi Road and Puketotara Road. Turn left (east) and follow Puketotara Road for 2.5 km to the intersection with Mangakaretu Road. The signpost shows Kerikeri ahead, but the trail turns left (north) up Mangakaretu Road for 1.5 km to rejoin the route at kilometre 204.3.
At times Landcorp may close this Lower Puketotara farm track for farming operations (see trail status alerts). If signage indicates that the Lower Track is closed, continue south down Mangakaretu Road for another 2.7 km to the junction with Puketotara Road. Turn left (east) and follow Puketotara Road for 4.7 km to the intersection with State Highway 10. Then turn left for 600m to rejoin the route at the SH10 parking bay/picnic area.
Watch out for the farm animals. Move gently. When going past a herd of heifers or steers, be steadfast but wary as they are excitable.
Kerikeri River Track — 6.5km / 2 hours
Use the stile from the picnic area on SH10 and follow the Te Araroa and orange track markers around a private residence before coming back alongside the Kerikeri River.
Continue following orange markers through pleasant tōtara groves alongside the river for 3km until joining with the Department of Conservation’s Kerikeri Walkway near Rainbow Falls Rd. There, one can view the 27m high Rainbow Falls that tumble over the basalt lava fields which flowed into the river valley after long past volcanic eruptions.
From then on, the track is a well-developed and marked bush track. It passes through stands of young kauri and tōtara. It also passes the remains of a powerhouse built as part of a hydroelectric generation scheme which operated between 1930-67.
Follow this track to the picnic area/carpark area on Landing Road, then cross the footbridge over the river to New Zealand’s oldest house, Kemp House (1821-22) and the world-renowned Stone Store (1832-36) on the Kerikeri Basin.
Kerikeri River Track — 6.5km / 2 hours
Use the stile from the picnic area on SH10 and follow the Te Araroa and orange track markers around a private residence before coming back alongside the Kerikeri River.
Continue following orange markers through pleasant tōtara groves alongside the river for 3km until joining with the Department of Conservation’s Kerikeri Walkway near Rainbow Falls Rd. There, one can view the 27m high Rainbow Falls that tumble over the basalt lava fields which flowed into the river valley after long past volcanic eruptions.
From then on, the track is a well-developed and marked bush track. It passes through stands of young kauri and tōtara. It also passes the remains of a powerhouse built as part of a hydroelectric generation scheme which operated between 1930-67.
Follow this track to the picnic area/carpark area on Landing Road, then cross the footbridge over the river to New Zealand’s oldest house, Kemp House (1821-22) and the world-renowned Stone Store (1832-36) on the Kerikeri Basin.
Conditions
Track Standard: Easy tramping track
Potential Hazards
- Vehicles on road or track
- Farming operations
- Electric fencing
- Small stream crossings
- Open drains
- Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
- Steep drop-offs Occasional washouts next to rivers/streams - take care
How to get here
Northern Start: Puketī Recreation Centre, Waiare Road
Southern End: Stone Store, Kerikeri Basin
Transport
Mangakaretu Track alternative bypass route: Puketotara connection
- From the Puketi Recreation Centre, follow Waiare Rd south for 5kms
- Turn east onto Puketotara Rd for 13.5kms to SH 10.
- Turn north on SH 10 for 600m. On the eastern side of the road, just over the bridge and on the north banks of the Kerikeri River is the picnic layover (no facilities).
Kerikeri
- Air New Zealand Link - from Auckland airport - P: 0800 737 000 or 09 357 3000
- Salt Air - P: 0800 472 582 or 09 402 8338 - E: info@saltair.co.nz - from Kerikeri or Paihia
- Bay Of Islands Airport - for flight and shuttle transport info.
- InterCity - P: 09 583 5780 - E: info@intercity.co.nz - From Auckland - Kerikeri - Kaitaia
- Kerikeri Taxis. shuttles and Tours - P: 09 407 9515 or 021 407 951 - E: info@kerikeritaxis.co.nz
- BusLink - Northland bus routes including Ahipara, Kerikeri, Paihia, Whangarei, Waipu, Mangawhai
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For October SOBO starters Hone Heke Lodge in Kerikeri is offering an accommodation & transportation package up to Cape Reinga. Please email stay@honeheke.co.nz or call David or Victoria 09-407 8170 for further information. www.honeheke.co.nz
Accommodation
- Hone Heke Lodge Flashpackers Re-opening 1st October 2023. Long been a favourite of TA Walkers over the last 10 years. Book early to secure a spot for you/your group at this busy, super friendly hostel. Welcome to send your bounce boxes in advance (please email us). We look forward to welcoming TA Walkers from October 1st 2023 onwards. Check us out on Trip Advisor. Please book ahead. Email stay@honeheke.co.nz or call 09 407 8170
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KeriCentral Hostel - KeriCentral is a vibrant yet homely hostel/guesthouse located right in the centre of town. 150mtrs from restaurants, cafes, bus stop and shopping. Multiple outdoor entertaining areas, swimming pool, pool table, two kitchens and bbq area all at your convenience. With our limited beds in our dorm rooms and private rooms available you can be assured you’ll have a restful sleep after a long day of tramping. We look forward to being part of your NZ adventure. Contact - 0278008067 or email on info@kericentral.co.nz
Food And Supply
- New World Supermarket - 99 Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri - P: 09 407 0200
- Countdown Supermarket - 1 Fairway Drive. Kerikeri - P: 09 407 6163
Track Elevation and Map
Total 1 photos. Click image above to view them all.
More information
Northland trail notes, including information about accommodation, transport and resupplying
Kerikeri
- More information about Kerikeri
- Paihia i-Site Information Centre: The Wharf 69 Marsden Road, Paihia - P: 09 402 7345 - E: bayofislands@i-SITE.org
- (DOC) - Department of Conservation - Bay of Islands area office - 34 Landing Rd, Bay of Islands - P: 09 407 0300 - E: bayofislandsbooking@doc.govt.nz
Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.
We recommend trying these online learning tools:
Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.