Mangawhi Clifftop Walkway & Waipu

From Pakiri Beach we headed to Mangawhai where we arrived just in time to stroll through the Saturday market and buy some lovely fresh smoked trevally before continuing on to the Managwhai Surf Lifesaving Club from where you can start the excellent beach and Clifftop Walkway which is described as one of the best coastal walks in NZ and rightly so. As soon as we arrived in the carpark it began to absolutely pelt down with rain - fast black clouds had been flying over all day but we had only had the odd brief shower until then. So it was out with all the wet weather gear as we had decided to do it whatever the weather. Luckily it started to ease off not far into the walk and we were soon stripping off our unbreatheable outer layers!

Sand surfers at Mangawhai

The walk of 2-3 hours heads firstly along the beach for about 15-20 mins, past where several young ones were having fun sliding down the sand dunes on their boogie boards, to a sign leading you up lots of steps for about another 15 mins to magnificent views out to all the islands - Little and Great Barrier and the Hen and Chickens. Because of the cloud and haze the view wasn't as good as it could be as we couldn't see Coromandel or Bream Head but even so it was worth the climb up the steps. From there on the track rambles up and down along the fairly open cliffs before leading through patches of bush and stands of nikau, toi-toi and pohutakawa down more steep steps to the water.

The walk is tidal and once down to the beach for the return part of the walk you need to be sure no water is coming through the archway otherwise you would need to turn back. As it is there is about 20 minutes of boulder, rock and stone hopping which might not enthuse people who aren't confident with their ankles or balance but we rather enjoy seeing all the different rock and stone formations.

The beach at Mangawhai Heads

The walk took us a little over 2 hours which was good as it meant we arrived at Waipu just before dark but it meant we had no time to wander along Langs Beach or Waipu Cove on the way. With having our bikes on the front of the bus we are very conscious that our lights may be a little obscured so we avoid night time driving if we can. Once in Waipu we parked up in the carpark behind the Waipu Hotel which is an NZMCA POP and we are pleased to say there were no drunken disturbances in the night - in fact it was very quiet!
We have had a quiet day in Waipu, catching up on the blog, then wandering through the little village, looking in the older buildings and antique shop and buying a pizza for lunch from The Barn, originally the old Post Office, and now a very popular licensed eating place with lots of character filled memorabilia from the past - worth a visit!

We felt lacking in character next to our neighbour!

It was great to be joined for lunch in the carpark, in the bus, by our friends, Pete and Sue from Tauranga who were passing through from seeing their families further up North. We're kicking ourselves as, yet again, we forgot to get the camera out to record this memory!

Tonight we have set up camp at the Waipu Golf Course, where they let you stay the night, all ready to play golf here in the morning. And we can fill our tank up with fresh water which is running a little low!