The Tawharanui Ridge Walk is a very easy 10k walk that will take you 4 hours in a round trip.
You are very close to Kawau Island with great views of Whangaparaoa Bay as well. The Tawharanui Ridge Walk includes a board walk, beach walking and lots of lovely green farmland with great views along the way.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Warkworth – 26.3km
- Distance: 10 kms
- Time needed: 4 Hours
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Wheelchair Access: No
- Route: Round Trip
- Elevation: 91m
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: Yes
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: Yes
- Last Updated: November, 2019
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Summary points about this walk
Points of interest along the walk
Point 1: Tawharanui Ridge Walk – Start
To Maori Bay. South Coast Track
3.5km – 1 hour 30 Min
As you drive into the bay, look across to the other side of the bay and you will see the ridge you will be walking along. At the car park, cross over the bridge. Carry on to the base of the hill. Jump the fence, follow the white markers up the hill and away you go. A very pleasurable county walk. The walk is along the cliff top, there are a small number of little hills to walk up and down, but nothing to get a sweet over. The views are first-class.
Point 2: Tawharanui Ridge Walk
When you start to walk along the ridge, you have a hand full of farm grates to open and close. There might be some farm stock on the track as well. Don’t worry about the stock they are trained to respect tourist, but they might try to catch you out with the odd patch of green sticky stuff, so watch where you put your feet.
Point 3: Tawharanui Ridge Walk
As you start to walk through the gullys there are small patches of native scrubs scattered along the way, you are only minutes away from the turn off to Maori Bay. The turn off to Maori Bay has a sign you can’t miss.
Point 4: Tawharanui Ridge Walk
Tokatu Point via Trig 30 Min – 1.5 km
From the turnoff, there is a slight uphill walk to the trig 10 min. At the trig, is a fantastic view of Anchor Beach.
Look behind you, at the fence line, there is a sign and the track leading out to the look out.
Point 5: Tawharanui Ridge Walk
Jump the fence and then walk down hill through the stands of tea tree, to the coastal look out. Now, half way to the lookout is a fork to the right. If you have time, (An additional 20 min) take the right fork. The orange tapes you see tried to trees are where traps are laid for rats and stoats. The best views of the coast will be from this walk. From the cliff top, you can look down into the surf, a great place for fish spotting. If you get caught out with the weather or time, you can walk back via Anchor Bay.
From Tokatu Point to Anchor Bay 4.6 km – 1 H 15 Min
Walk back to the Trig, and follow the posts to Anchor Bay. This walk is a lot easier. Most of the way is downhill. The first 15 min is over farm land and the rest is over farm track, then gravel road into Anchor Bay. Then follow the gravel road back to the car.
