Coast to Coast

This beautiful walk starts at Rocky Bay (Omiha) on the South coast of the Island and crosses the Island to Onetangi Beach on the Northern Coast.

Location

Beginning at the Omiha Memorial Hall in Rocky Bay, wander along the shores of Whakanewha Bay, through Whakanewha Regional Park, the Cascades loop, up to Trig Hill and ramble down through reserves and past baches to Onetangi Beach.

The start point is the Omiha Memorial Hall in Rocky Bay. As this is a one-way walk, you might want to take the Rocky Bay bus to the start point. If you have a car, you could leave it in the Placemakers carpark which is on the route for both the Onetangi & Rocky Bay bus services. You can then catch the bus from the carpark to Rocky Bay, and from Onetangi Beach back to your car.

Track Summary

The first part is up the road from the Memorial Hall into the back of Whakanewha Bay. From there the track undulates downwards to skirt around the coastline before entering the beautiful, shady nikau grove within the Whakanewha Regional Park. There are a few stream crossings before the track emerges onto Trig Hill Road to reveal 360 degree views. From there, it’s downhill, on the road and along reserve boardwalks and stairs down to the beach.

Well-maintained, gently graded park tracks, with a small amount of road walking. Predominantly gravel and dirt tracks with some steps, with mostly gentle inclines. A few stream crossings.

Due to a section near to the beach with nesting rare New Zealand dotterels, no dogs are allowed on this walk.

Supple jack, epiphytes, giant tree ferns and rata vine are just some of the flora along the route. Tūī, pīwakawaka (fantails), kererū (wood pigeons) and kōtare (kingfisher) may be seen in the bush, and the rare NZ dotterel and other shore birds found foraging along the beach.