Loading...
Urquharts Bay car park, Whangarei Heads
7.5 km
5 hours 30 minutes
731 metres
Safety notice: Conditions change; check DOC/local council/weather before walking.
If you are looking for a hike that will test your legs, take your breath away (both literally and figuratively), and leave you with some of the most spectacular coastal views in New Zealand, the Te Whara Track is calling your name.
Traced along an ancient Māori pathway, this premier point-to-point day walk crosses the dramatic, volcanic ridgelines of the Bream Head Scenic Reserve in Northland. Connecting Urquharts Bay with Ocean Beach, it is a demanding but profoundly rewarding adventure through lush, native forest and across high, wind-swept peaks.
---
The Te Whara Track is a challenging 7.5-kilometre point-to-point hike that requires a high level of physical fitness. With a whopping 731 metres of elevation gain and a recommended duration of 5.5 hours, this trail is officially rated as hard. Because of the steep terrain, sheer drop-offs, and relentless climbs, this track is not kid-friendly, and to protect the local wildlife, dogs are strictly not allowed.
Starting your journey from the Urquharts Bay car park, you will immediately plunge into a magnificent coastal broadleaf forest. The trail wastes no time heading upwards. You will climb past ancient pūriri trees with gnarled roots reaching across the path, while native supplejack vines weave through the canopy above.
The terrain underfoot is rugged and natural. Expect plenty of steep stair sections, exposed tree roots, and undulating clay pathways that can become incredibly slippery and muddy after rain. As you gain altitude, the dense forest periodically parts to reveal rugged rocky outcrops—dramatic remnants of the area’s ancient volcanic past. You will traverse several high points along the ridge, including the summits of Matariki / Mt Lion (395 metres) and Te Whara (476 metres), before making the steep descent down towards the dunes of Ocean Beach.
---
Parking is available at both the Urquharts Bay car park (where the track starts/ends) and the Ocean Beach car park on Ranui Road (the other end of the track). Toilets are provided at both car parks. As Te Whara Track is a point-to-point walk, arranging a car shuffle between the two car parks is highly recommended. Alternatively, hikers can walk the additional 4.5 kilometres via the road to return to their starting point, though this is not part of the scenic track.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Apteryx mantelli
The kiwi is New Zealand's national icon, a nocturnal and flightless bird known for its long, sensitive beak with nostrils at the tip, used to sniff out food.
Best time: Year-round
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round
Refuel after your hike at these nearby spots
9.5km away
An iconic Kiwi pub nestled on the waterfront, offering classic pub fare, pizzas, and burgers with panoramic views across Whangārei Heads Harbour. It's a welcoming, family-friendly spot with a great ambiance.
Be the first to share a photo of this trail
Recent reports from hikers
No condition reports yet.
Be the first to report the current conditions!
See what other hikers are saying
--
No reviews yet
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
Point to point
---
The Te Whara Track is located at the southern tip of Whangārei Heads, roughly a 35-minute drive from Whangārei.
Because this is a point-to-point hike, you have a couple of options for logistics: 1. The Car Shuffle (Highly Recommended): Park one vehicle at the Ocean Beach car park on Ranui Road (the finishing point), and drive a second vehicle to the Urquharts Bay car park (the starting point). 2. The Road Loop: If you only have one car, you can complete the hike and then walk an additional 4.5 kilometres back to your starting point via the coastal road. However, this road walk is paved, exposed, and lacks the scenic charm of the main track.
Both the Urquharts Bay and Ocean Beach car parks have public toilets available.
---
The Bream Head Scenic Reserve is a pest-controlled ecological island, making it a vital sanctuary for New Zealand’s unique native birds. As you walk under the canopy, keep your eyes and ears open for these local residents:
---
---
To walk the Te Whara Track is to walk through history. The entire Bream Head (Te Whara) area is considered wahi tapu (sacred land) by local Māori. According to oral tradition, the track follows the ancestral footsteps of Manaia, a great chief. The prominent stone peaks along the ridge represent the petrified figures of Manaia, his wife, and his children, frozen in stone following a legendary dispute.
The reserve's rugged topography is the result of massive volcanic activity that occurred around 20 million years ago. Today, thanks to the tireless predator-control efforts of the Bream Head Conservation Trust and local volunteers, the forest is undergoing a magnificent ecological renaissance, restoring the headland to its primeval glory.
---
After 5.5 hours of scaling volcanic peaks, you will have worked up a massive appetite. Head back down the road toward Parua Bay to refuel:
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Endemic New Zealand honeyeater with distinctive white throat tuft and iridescent plumage. Known for its complex and beautiful song.
Best time: Year-round
Petroica longipes
Friendly forest bird that often approaches walkers. Found in native bush reserves across the North Island.
Best time: Year-round
Nestor meridionalis
Large forest parrot found in native bush. Loud and social, increasingly common in predator-controlled sanctuaries.
Best time: Year-round
Pterodroma gouldi
A burrowing seabird, the Ōi returns to coastal areas like Mount Karioi to breed, with conservation efforts helping to protect its vulnerable chicks from predators.
Best time: Spring-Summer
Ninox novaeseelandiae
Native owl also known as Ruru. Named for its distinctive two-note call heard at night.
Best time: Year-round
Mohoua albicilla
Whiteheads are social, insectivorous forest birds, often seen foraging in noisy flocks high in the canopy of native forests. [6, 20, 21]
Best time: Year-round
9.8km away
A beloved local cafe and pizzeria known for its quality coffee, delicious homemade treats like cinnamon rolls, and a menu blending café classics with international touches. It’s a community hub with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
9.9km away
Bringing authentic Indian flavours to Parua Bay, this restaurant offers a delicious selection of curries, rice dishes, and desserts, with options for both in-house dining and takeaway in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.