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Waiheke Island walkways

Introduction | Matiatia, Church Bay, Oneroa loop | Matiatia/Owhanake/Oneroa | Oneroa, Blackpool | Hekerua Bay, Palm Beach | Rocky Bay's Te Whau loop | Rocky Bay (featuring Whakanewha) | Onetangi | Orapiu, Pearl Bay | Park Point coastal walkway | Other walks | Additional information | Waiheke Island map

Rocky Bay (featuring Whakanewha)

Duration: approximately two hours
Classification: route

Highlights and basic facts

• these walks offer the chance to enjoy beautiful southern bays and Maori archaeological sites. Go for a bush walk to the Cascades in the Whakanewha Regional Park, or relax under the pohutukawa
• dogs: keep your dog/s under control, particularly on steep sections of the tracks
• facilities: barbecue and toilets at Mary Wilson Reserve, toilets at Omiha Bay. Toilets, picnic tables, barbecue and camping ground at Whakanewha Regional Park
• note: keep a lookout for signs showing the alternative routes

An ancient Maori pa site with panoramic views over Rocky Bay to Auckland is one of the highlights of this walk.

Starting opposite the old Rocky Bay Store, walk up Glen Brook Road and turn right into Omiha Road. Follow this until you reach the Upland Road track, which leads you to the coast of Whakanewha Regional Park. This will take you to a car park and picnic area.

On the opposite side of the road from the toilet block enter the Nikau track and turn left onto the Tarata track. This will take you onto Carson's and Gordon's Roads. Cross the road and walk up through Whakanewha Regional Park to the Stanimoroff Walkway. Follow this walkway to Te Whau Drive and enter the Kuakarau Bay Forest Reserve. Follow the track down to Rocky Bay.

Alternative route:

• an ancient pa site with panoramic views over Rocky Bay to Auckland is one of the highlights of this walk. From the old Rocky Bay Store, walk up Glen Brook Road and turn left into Glenbrook Reserve and follow the track down to Okoka Road. Downhill a wooden bride crosses a stream fed by a natural spring. A narrow track then leads uphill through mature broadleaf forest until it opens onto the pa. The track continues up the ridge through a canopy of manuka and interesting rock formations to Okoka Road. Walk down into Fairview Crescent and follow this to Bella Vista Road and Crosby Reserve overlooking Whakanewha and Rocky Bays. Continue along Bella Vista Road and turn left into Upland Road and Omiha Road to the start. Time for this walk is one hour.

Images from around the walk