Walking Tracks - Bay of Islands, New Zealand
All these walks are rated easy and suitable for all ages of average fitness. Don't forget your camera!
 Opua - Paihia Coastal Walkway
Length: 5.8km, Time: 2.5hrs/one way
A steady walk following the coastline from the Opua car ferry ramp to the south end of the beach at Paihia township. It provides pleasant views over the bay, sandy beaches and mangrove board walk. The walkway can be joined at the Haumi Bridge, Te Haumi mangrove board walk, English Bay or via Harrison Scenic Reserve Walk.
Harrison Scenic Reserve Walk
Length: 1.4km, Time: 30mins/one way
This walk travels through some of the best coastal forest in the Bay of Islands. It is accessible via the coastal walkway at Cherry Bay or from Broadview Road, Opua.
Opua Forest Lookout Track
Length: 1.5km, Time: 30mins/one way
A pleasant walk through regenerating forest to a lookout over Opua, Russell, Waitangi and out to Ninepin Island. Access to the track is via School Road, 700 metres from the Paihia township.
Waitangi National Trust Mangrove Walk
Length: 6km, Time: 1.5hrs/one way
The Treaty Grounds are park surroundings with visitor centre, waka, treaty house and carved meeting house. From the Treaty Grounds the track follows the bush clad banks of the Waitangi River to Haruru Falls. Aboard walk section passes through mangrove forest. Can be muddy if wet.
Flagstaff Hill, Russell
Length: 2.5km, Time: 40 mins
The walking track to the historic reserve at Flagstaff Hill begins near the boat ramp on the Strand in Russell. It follows the beach around to Watering Bay, then climbs through native forest to reach Titore Way. Three hundred metres along this road a sign marks the final leg through shrubland to the summit of Flagstaff Hill.
Kerikeri Basin
In the Kerikeri Basin there is a network of walking tracks ranging in length from 10 minutes to 1.5 hours. A 30 minute walk leads downstream from the Stone Store to Kororipo Pa. From the Kerikeri Basin carpark a riverside walk leads upstream for 1.5 hours to Rainbow Falls. The falls are also accessible from Rainbow Falls Road off Waipapa Road.
For more information about walking tracks in and around the Bay of Islands area, visit the Department of Conservation website.
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