This easy coastal walk takes you to one of New Zealand’s most significant historical sites – where Christianity first came to this country on Christmas Day 1814. The Rangihoua Heritage Trust has done an outstanding job creating an accessible, informative walk through regenerating native bush to stunning bay views.
| Distance | Time | Difficulty | Track Surface | Dogs | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5km return (main route) or 2km loop (coastal track) | 30-45 minutes (add 30 mins for beach detour) | Easy | Mowed grass, gravel, bush track | Allowed on lead | Free at Rangihoua Heritage Park |
Walk with me on this historic track and see exactly what to expect, from the beautifully maintained heritage park entrance, through coastal forest to the Marsden Cross monument, and back via the stunning clifftop coastal track.
Start Point: Rangihoua Heritage Park car park
GPS: -35.2847, 174.0089
Address: Rangihoua Road, Bay of Islands
From Kerikeri, it’s about 30 minutes’ drive via Waipapa and Purerua Road. The road’s sealed the whole way but gets narrow and winding once you’re on Rangihoua Road. There’s a small but adequate car park at the heritage park entrance.
You can also arrive by boat, (which is what I did as you can see in the video above) there’s beach access at Rangihoua Bay, which is a popular anchorage.
The track starts at the information shelter near the car park, where you’ll find excellent interpretive panels about the 1814 mission and early European-Māori contact.
The track begins across beautifully mowed grass – the trust maintains this impeccably. You’re walking through regenerating farmland that’s slowly returning to native bush. After about 200m, you’ll enter a small section of coastal forest. It’s shady here, with nikau palms and other native species.
The track climbs gently (barely noticeable really) as you wind through the bush. It’s well-marked with regular signs explaining the historical significance of the area.
About halfway along the main track, there’s a very short side track (maybe 50m) that leads to the Hansen Memorial – an anchor commemorating Thomas Hansen, a sailor who died in 1823. It’s worth the 2-minute detour to see this piece of maritime history set against the bay views.
Continue on the main track for about 10 minutes total from the start, and you’ll reach the Marsden Cross monument.
This large stone cross marks the spot where Reverend Samuel Marsden preached the first Christian sermon in New Zealand on Christmas Day 1814. The monument itself is impressive – a tall basalt cross with inscriptions detailing the historic event.
But honestly, it’s the views that’ll grab you. You’re standing on a grassy headland with absolutely stunning panoramic views across Rangihoua Bay and out to the Bay of Islands. Those turquoise waters, the little islands dotted around, the sweep of the golden beach below – it’s spectacular.
There’s a viewing shelter here where you can sit and soak it all in while reading more about the history.
If you’re starting from the car park, there’s a side track that branches off the main route and heads down to Rangihoua Beach. It’s about a 15-minute walk each way, with a bit of uphill on the return – so factor in 30 minutes total if you want to include the beach.
It’s definitely worth it though. The beach is beautiful, sheltered, and perfect for a swim. The sand’s that lovely golden color, and the water’s usually calm.
Here’s where things get more interesting. Instead of returning the way you came, there’s a coastal loop track that heads back along the clifftop. This is far less maintained than the main route – it’s a proper single-file bush track with exposed tree roots, steep sections, and that characteristic Bay of Islands red clay that gets slippery when wet.
The track undulates quite a bit, with some sharp ups and downs as you navigate around the coastal contours. It’s not difficult, but it’s definitely more of a proper tramping track compared to the groomed main route.
What makes it worthwhile are the views. You’re walking right along the clifftop with constant glimpses through the pohutukawa and native bush to the sparkling bay below. There are several spots where you can stop and look back across to the cross monument and out over the bay.
The coastal track eventually loops back and reconnects with the main track near the car park, completing a circuit of about 2km total.
The Rangihoua Heritage Trust deserves serious credit. They’ve created something really special here – a walk that’s accessible for almost anyone while preserving and presenting important historical information beautifully. The signage is excellent, the track maintenance on the main route is impeccable, and the whole area has been thoughtfully developed.
It’s also just genuinely gorgeous. Even if you have zero interest in the history (though you should – it’s fascinating), the views alone make this walk worthwhile.
This isn’t just another pretty Bay of Islands walk – you’re standing where New Zealand’s European history fundamentally changed direction. On Christmas Day 1814, Reverend Samuel Marsden preached here in front of a congregation of Māori chiefs, missionaries, and crew from the Active. It was the first Christian service held in New Zealand.
The mission station that followed (though it later moved to Kerikeri) marked the beginning of sustained European settlement and a complex new chapter in New Zealand’s story. The information panels explain this history thoughtfully, covering both the missionary perspective and the Māori experience.
Track Condition:
Facilities:
Dogs: Allowed on lead. The main track’s fine for dogs, though the coastal track might be a bit challenging for small or elderly dogs due to the ups and downs.
When to Go:
Any time, really. Summer’s beautiful for combining the walk with a swim at Rangihoua Beach. The track’s open year-round and maintained regularly. Just avoid the coastal track after heavy rain – that clay gets treacherous.
Mobile Coverage: Generally good – you’re not far from civilization.
The main route to Marsden Cross is genuinely suitable for almost anyone. Families with young kids, older folks, people with moderate fitness – the gentle gradient and mowed track make it very accessible. I’d say it’s even doable with an off-road stroller, though you might struggle with a regular pram.
The coastal return track is different – that’s for people who want a bit more of a tramping experience. It’s not hard, but it’s definitely more rugged than the groomed main route.
History enthusiasts will love this walk. The information provided is excellent, and standing at that cross monument reading about what happened here while looking out over the same bay Marsden saw is genuinely moving.
I really enjoyed this walk. The combination of easy accessibility, genuine historical significance, and stunning coastal scenery is hard to beat. The trust has done such a fantastic job creating something that honors the site’s importance while making it accessible and interesting for visitors.
The coastal return track was my favorite bit – yes, it’s rougher, but those clifftop views are absolutely worth the slightly more challenging terrain. The contrast between the manicured main route and the wilder coastal track is actually quite nice.
Would I do it again? Definitely. It’s short enough that it doesn’t feel like a big commitment, but rewarding enough that you feel like you’ve actually done something. Plus, there’s always more to learn from those information panels.
If you’re in the Bay of Islands and have even a passing interest in New Zealand history or just want a beautiful short walk with views, this is a must-do.
