Rawhiti: Walking Trails, Coast and History

Rawhiti and its surrounding area offer a wide variety of experiences: walks through bush, trails leading to the beach, and a history connected with Te Araaka and the Whangamumu Whaling Station. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth considering what makes each place and trail distinctive. This will help you decide whether you would prefer to focus on walking, coastal scenery or cultural history.

The Cape Brett Track starts at Oke Bay in Rawhiti. Oke Bay is a beach that you can reach via a walking trail from Rawhiti Road. Access to the Cape Brett walking track from Oke Bay depends on the tides, so the tide is a practical factor to consider when planning this walk. A significant section of the track between Rawhiti and Deep Water Cove crosses private land. A water taxi to Cape Brett Reserve is also available from Rawhiti.

Walking Between Bush and Water

In the area around Rawhiti, the Cape Brett Track runs for 16 km through original and regenerating bush. The stated distance and description of the bushland give the trail its own character, without indicating how long the walk takes. If you are travelling with your family, the natural surroundings and the trail’s history can be shared interests; the tide dependency and section across private land are also important to bear in mind.

From the Cape Brett Track, a one-hour return walk leads to Deep Water Cove. There, you can swim and snorkel. This adds a specific walking option to the longer route. The track and the detour to the cove appeal to different interests: the former focuses on the walk through the bush, while swimming and snorkelling are possible at the end of the return walk.

Te Araaka and the Cape Brett Lighthouse

Te Araaka was a tribal path used by the tūpuna of Ngāti Kuta and Patukeha to bury tūpāpaku in their ancestral burial caves. The path was part of a longer tribal route connecting inner Ipipiri with Te Rāwhiti and Rakaumangamanga. Te Araaka Urupā is located on an old pā on a ridge and is still in use today. This local history is a distinct aspect of Rawhiti alongside its nature-based experiences.

The Cape Brett Lighthouse also offers a specific historical connection: it was first lit on 21 February 1910 and is operated by a large clockwork mechanism. If you are interested in the history of trails and places, Te Araaka and the lighthouse add different historical perspectives to the active walking and coastal experiences.

Whangamumu Harbour and the Whaling Station

In the area around Rawhiti, the Whangamumu Track leads through forest and along the beach to Whangamumu Harbour. The Whangamumu Whaling Station can be reached via the Whangamumu Track from Rawhiti Road. The surviving remains include oil tanks or containers, a beach slipway and an old boiler. At this destination, both the route through the forest and along the beach and the remains of the station are highlights.

There is a time restriction on the beach section to the Whangamumu Whaling Station: it can only be walked one to two hours either side of high tide. If you are planning a visit to the station, this tidal restriction is an important difference from the general conditions on the Whangamumu Track. When choosing a holiday home in Rawhiti, you can start with your interests: Cape Brett combines a 16 km route through bush with access to Deep Water Cove, while at Whangamumu the focus is on the route through the forest and along the beach, and the history of the Whaling Station.

More destinations

More destinations: Kaikohe, Waipu, Awanui, Lake Ohia, Kaeo, Matakohe, Cable Bay and Whangaruru.

Back to the main travel guide: Northland.