Awaawaroa - Trig Hill Track

Introduction | Walkway guide and map | Additional information

The smallest castle on Waiheke

Walkway guide and map

Guide yourself around the track.

Up for a challenge? A fair amount of agility and fitness is required to do the full two hour hike, however an easier one hour option is also available. Drive to the right hand turn at the end of Awaawaroa Road, park by the picnic table then walk to where the sign-posted route heads up to the Awaawaroa Bay lookout.

There are two main walking options here. You can walk up to the lookout at the top of the hill and then return the way you came, which is a one hour return trip. Or, continue to Trig Hill, Onetangi (a two hour trip). If you get lost look for the white markers along the fence line.

To return from Trig Hill to the start at Awaawaroa you can walk down Trig Hill Road to the entrance of Onetangi Reserve, continue down Fisher Road turning right down Waiheke Road (watch out for traffic on this road) and turn right again into Awaawaroa Road (3.5 hours for the entire route).

For those with a special interest, there is also a side track from the lookout to a manganese mine (15 minute return trip).

Look out for the numbered yellow disks around the walkway. The information below corresponds with the discs and tells you about each of these places.

1	It is hard to believe that Waiheke's Southern End was the most established part of the island until the 1930's. Pioneers such as the Trace, Ashwin and Gordon families farmed in the Awaawaroa Valley since the mid 1800's. Aptly named Awaawaroa, (The Long Valley) the year-round stream travels over 2kms inland. A variety of wading bird species can be found in the coastal area of the bay.
2	Can you find the smallest castle on Waiheke? Coincidentally the man to discover manganese in the valley in 1873 was named William Castle. Overshadowing the valley is the highest mountain on Waiheke, Mount Maunganui (231metres).
3	The entrance to a manganese mine is further down the gulley. Despite the valley having the largest manganese mine in New Zealand, it was not a profitable business. From 1873 to 1875, over 1,000 tons were extracted and exported at £4/ton. It was shipped to London as an essential ingredient in the process of steel making. An old saying "Manganese the Waiheke disease" was most likely in reference to a syndrome that is caused by prolonged inhalation of manganese dust and fumes.
4	The resourceful Gordon family of Awaawaroa Bay provided an important link for the scattered settlers on the Island. Over the years they hosted the first school, church services, post office and telephone exchange. Since the 1880's steamboats frequented the bay, a day excursion would cost almost a day's wages. The Gordon's are still living in this area after over 130 years.
5	Awaawaroa Eco-village is a "community that aims to create a safe, sustainable environment with wholesome relationships with each other and the land. All land use is organic with non-toxic building materials. There is no "grid" power, water, or telephones, so alternative energy systems are essential and composting toilets are used.
6	Awaawaroa Bay Lookout: shorter walk: turn around here longer walk: take care as you walk down this steep track. Up ahead - regenerating bush, a glade with Rosellas and toadstools galore and an ancient Taraire Coastal Forest.
7	Summertime reveals stunning grasses and purple patches of Pennyroyal. An old pioneer trick was to put this herb in the dog's bed to keep fleas off the dog!
8	Trig Hill Lookout Have a look at the orientation plinth. The Kauri Grove is also a "must see". Walk down Trig Hill Road to Onetangi Forest and Bird Reserve.
9	On the way home why don't you stop and enjoy the views at Pohutukawa Ridge, Waiheke Road or pop into the Waiheke Historic Museum on Onetangi straight? Ask to see the old photos of this amazing valley! Open Wednesdays and weekends.

The maps for these walks are available below for downloading in PDF format:

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Published February 2009