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Pakiri Beach to Matakana

Hosted By Auckland Hiking Group (Est.2006)
public group
Pakiri Beach to Matakana

Details

Greetings Everyone,

On Sunday we are going to continue with our exploring of the Matakana area, with a walk from Pakiri Beach to Matakana. There are many spectacular views along the way. We will climb Mt. Tamahunga. WARNING: This Hike is suitable for people who have done a 3.0 hike with us before and like hill climbing.

Duration: About 5 hours hike including stops.
Distance: Approx 10 km.
Difficulty: 3.5 on our 1-5 scale for day hikes. Some parts can be challenging, muddy walking tracks, gorse and Mt Tamahunga to climb - 437 meters high.
Cost: $15 for car pooling

Toilets: No - Matakana Village last toilet stop.
After Hike: The Matakana (11 Matakana Valley Road) - for food, drink and Ice creams

Important Notes + WARNING!:
This hike has 400 meters of elevation - 5 times greater than last Sunday. People who do not like hills, please do not RSVP.
All direct drivers must meet at the corner of Govan Wilson Road and 750 Matakana Valley Road and car pool to Pakiri Beach. There are 2 parking bays you can use. Failure to do this will result in everyone having to walk back to the start.

Come prepared for the possibility of getting your shoes muddy, especially if it has rained overnight. There is gorse on this track, i suggest you wear long sleeve T Shirt or risk getting scratches.

Road Toll of $2.30 applies - each way.

Health and Safety Information:
Each person who participates accepts responsibility for making their own determinations and for their own safety, conduct and well being; recognising that there are hazards in attending group and outdoor activities and agrees to participate solely at their own risk.

Preparation is the key to having a good day:

  • Study the hike route - can you do this hike?
  • Check the weather - do you have the correct clothing and shoes? - see above.
  • Do you know where the meeting places are?
  • Have vehicle fuelled and ready to go (if you might be driving);
  • Prepare everything you need to bring (arrive early if you need anything from the supermarket).

Meeting Places:

Carpooling:

  • Carpooling will be arranged for everyone meeting at New World after everyone arrives there (transport permitting; you can read more details here (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/pages/Transport_and_Carpooling)).
  • If you need a ride from New World there's no need to arrange this in advance - just answer the RSVP question on this.
  • If you want a ride or can offer rides from another location, you can mention this in Conversation below and contact each other to arrange.
  • Most people who need a ride tend to meet at New World. Good if most drivers can meet there first.
  • Each carpool passenger from New World is asked to give $15 to driver.

Time Guideline:

  • 09:15 - Good time to arrive at New World, meet & greet

  • 09:30 - Latest time to arrive at New World, arrange carpooling

  • 10:25 - Direct Drivers arrive at 750 Matakana Valley Road for car pooling.

  • 11:00 - All Arrive 302 Pakiri River Road - the beach.

  • 16:00 - Hike finishes (40 minute wait is required for the cars to be retrieved)

  • 17:00 - The Matakana (Optional)

  • 18:00 - Back at Auckland CBD (Approx)

Maps and More Information:

More information (https://www.teararoa.org.nz/auckland/govan-wilson-puhoi/)
NZ Topo Map (http://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap?v=2&ll=-36.298598,174.723841&z=13)

Hike Description & Directions:
From the Pakiri Beach we will drive back along the gravel road. Cross over and continue south on Bathgate Rd, past the school and several houses. Park the cars.

Beyond the southern end of Bathgate Rd, go down what looks like a driveway to the Te Araroa sign. Follow the orange track markers leading up a ridgeline through steep farm pasture for 2.5km to a farm track near the end of Rodney Rd. This climb offers fantastic views up the coast. The track turns west through more farmland (farm tracks can be muddy in winter) and down/up a steep/muddy saddle (do take care when wet) before climbing through pine plantation into covenanted/DOC native bush. At the summit, there is a helicopter platform which makes a good spot to rest a while. Continuing on, this rough & occasionally slippery track soon descends steeply down before climbing again and walking beneath a weather satellite station. From there another rocky/slippery descent before the track levels out through regenerating bush.

A "grassy knoll" affords some views (between the gorse) to the coast before continuing west on a well-formed track. That track leaves the ridge, crosses a stile and descends 200m to another stile before a narrow and slippery track takes walkers down, across a footbridge and to a short boardwalk across a swamp before another narrow, steep and slippery climb to Matakana Valley Rd.

Bring:

  • lunch and drink
  • clothing suitable for Spring/Summer
  • footwear suitable for walking tracks.
  • sun and emergency rain protection
  • plastic bags for muddy footwear
  • additional clean clothing/footwear to change into after hike
  • first-aid items
  • cash ($15 if a carpool passenger; plus optional extra for refreshments afterwards)
  • Swimming with is optional.

Biosecurity Information:

  • To help prevent the spread of Kauri Dieback disease all shoes must be free of soil and seeds. (we'll also use any footwear cleaning stations provided along the way);
  • To help avoid dirtying someone else's car (if you are a carpool passenger; please bring a plastic bag and extra footwear for after the hike).
  • All food should be packed in sealed rodent proof containers.

Notes:
(1) 9:30 am is the latest time to arrive at New World. We aim to leave New World and start the hike exactly on time, and we will NOT wait for late people.
(2) It is safer and generally more fun to hike together as a group. We aim to do this with stops at all track junctions for group to regather. However, there's no guarantee this will happen so prepare well for this hike in case you become separated from group.
(3) We'll walk at a moderate pace that is comfortable for average hikers with stops at places of interest along the way, and at least one lunch stop.

RSVP:
If you are interested to attend please:

  • Read the full details of this description carefully;
  • RSVP online soon, ideally by 7:15pm Saturday night; - Answer the ONE RSVP question when you RSVP;
  • "Change" your RSVP later if you decide not to attend or any of your RSVP answers are no longer accurate;

See you on Sunday - Chris

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