This 25km section of Te Araroa Trail connects the historic village of Puhoi to Orewa Beach via Waiwera. The coastal walk features native bush, riverside paths, and stunning Hauraki Gulf views. Highlights include Puhoi River, Waiwera thermal springs area, and scenic clifftop sections before reaching Orewa’s sandy beach. Allow 6-8 hours.
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Getting to Puhoi (Start):
From Orewa (Finish):
Shuttle Options:
Right, let’s talk about what actually makes this stretch memorable beyond the Instagram-worthy clifftop shots. This section throws everything at you: farmland scrambles, bush that’s thick enough to make you question your life choices, road walking that tests your patience, and finally that sweet coastal payoff. It’s basically Te Araroa in microcosm.
The farmland sections at the start require you to be respectful. You’re walking through someone’s livelihood, so stick to marked tracks and close every single gate. Some farmers are brilliant and have put in steps and clear markers. Others tolerate the trail crossing their land. Don’t give them reasons to change their minds.
Here’s what catches people out: the bush sections get slippery as hell after rain. That innocent-looking clay turns into an ice rink wearing a disguise. I’ve seen experienced trampers go down hard on these slopes. If it’s been wet, seriously consider postponing because you’ll spend more time on your backside than your feet.
The road walking through Waiwera and beyond is the section where thru-hikers’ souls die a little. It’s about 4-5km of asphalt pounding with narrow shoulders and impatient drivers. Early morning starts help avoid peak traffic. Some walkers put reflective gear on their packs even during daylight because visibility on those bends is dodgy.
The thermal springs at Waiwera used to be a highlight where you could soak tired legs, but the facility closed. However, there’s still a dairy for supplies and the beach access where you can at least dip your feet. Don’t skip this resupply opportunity because there’s nothing else until Orewa.
Tide timing matters for the Hatfields Beach to Orewa section. Low tide gives you firm sand to walk on which is infinitely better than the alternative high tide track that scrambles up and down through coastal scrub. Check tide times before you leave Puhoi and plan to hit this section at low or mid-tide.
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The climb out of Puhoi Valley is steeper than the elevation profile suggests. That first 3km gains most of your height and it’s relentless. Start early while you’re fresh because doing this in afternoon heat is genuinely unpleasant.
Navigation through the farm sections can be confusing. The orange triangles exist but they’re sometimes placed optimistically far apart. Download the offline map on the Te Araroa app before you go. Cell coverage is patchy through the bush sections.
Water sources are scarce. There’s a stream crossing about 7km in where you can refill (treat it), then nothing reliable until Waiwera. Carry at least 2-3 litres especially in summer because that exposed ridge walking gets hot and there’s zero shade.
The nikau forest section around the 10km mark is stunning but it’s also where your pack catches on every vine imaginable. Supplejack is the enemy here. Keep your pack profile tight and consider trimming any dangling straps because they will get grabbed.
This section is exposed to northerly and easterly weather. When the wind picks up on those clifftops between Waiwera and Orewa, it’s genuinely strong enough to push you around. The coastal sections offer no shelter whatsoever.
The bush sections create their own microclimate. Even when it’s not raining, everything drips. Condensation soaks you just as effectively as actual rain. Waterproof jacket and pack cover are non-negotiable year-round.
Summer heat combined with humidity makes this walk exhausting. The bush sections become saunas. Winter brings mud and slippery conditions but at least you’re not overheating. Pick your poison.
Let’s be honest about the mental game here. The road sections are boring and demoralising. You’ve just slogged through beautiful bush and farmland then suddenly you’re dodging traffic on suburban streets. It feels wrong. Podcasts or audiobooks help some people. Others embrace it as part of the Te Araroa experience which intentionally includes all of New Zealand, not just the pretty bits.
The farm crossings sometimes have electric fences. They’re marked but when you’re tired and the markers are faded, it’s easy to miss them. Getting zapped is memorable in all the wrong ways. Take your time at each fence crossing and look carefully.
Dog encounters happen. Most farm dogs are behind fences but you’ll hear them and they’ll hear you. Barking dogs when you’re already tired and slightly lost is stressful. Stay calm, move steadily, don’t run.
Despite my grumbling about road sections and mud, this stretch offers something special. The variety means you’re never bored. That moment when you finally see the Hauraki Gulf open up before you makes the previous hours of slog worthwhile.
The native bush sections are genuinely beautiful. The nikau palms create this prehistoric atmosphere and the bird life is fantastic if you stop to listen. Tui, kereru, and fantails are common and they’re utterly unbothered by sweaty trampers stumbling past.
Orewa Beach at the finish is perfection. That first step onto sand, the pack drop, the boot removal ceremony – it’s all deeply satisfying. The beach stretches for ages and it’s usually not too crowded at the northern end where you emerge.
Find more walks in this area… Waiwera walks showcase additional coastal and bush options around this beautiful part of the Hibiscus Coast.
Can I do this walk in reverse from Orewa to Puhoi?
Yes, but you’ll face more uphill on the bush sections and the logistics are harder because Puhoi has no public transport. Most people prefer finishing at Orewa where buses are frequent.
Are there camping options along the way?
Puhoi Domain allows freedom camping for self-contained vehicles. There’s no official camping between Puhoi and Orewa. Orewa has a holiday park. Wild camping on this section is difficult due to private land and lack of suitable spots.
What if I can’t complete it in one day?
There’s nowhere obvious to split this section. Waiwera is roughly halfway but accommodation options are extremely limited. Most walkers either do it in one push or arrange private accommodation in advance.
Is the track well maintained?
Maintenance varies. The bush sections get overgrown quickly, especially in summer. After heavy rain, expect fallen branches and slips. The coastal sections are generally better maintained. Te Araroa Trust relies on volunteers so conditions fluctuate.
Do I need to book anything in advance?
No bookings required for the track itself as it crosses public and private land with access agreements. However, if you’re planning accommodation at either end or shuttle services during peak season, advance booking is smart.
What’s the track like for fitness requirements?
Honest answer: it’s more challenging than the “moderate” grade suggests. The distance alone is demanding, the climbs are steep, and if it’s muddy you’ll work twice as hard. Being comfortable with 6-8 hours of walking is essential. If 20km+ days aren’t normal for you, this will hurt.
Can I get cell phone reception?
Patchy at best. Puhoi has coverage, then it’s hit and miss through the bush and farmland. Waiwera has decent coverage, and it improves as you approach Orewa. Don’t rely on your phone for navigation without downloading offline maps first.
Are there toilet facilities?
Puhoi Domain has toilets at the start. Waiwera has public toilets near the shops. Hatfields Beach has facilities. Between these points, you’re relying on bush toilets (dig a hole, pack out paper). Plan accordingly.
The morning I left Puhoi, mist hung low over the farmland, clinging to the paddocks like it had nowhere else to be. I’d camped the night before in the domain, and my boots were still damp from yesterday’s river crossing. The trail wound through someone’s working farm first thing, and I passed a farmer fixing fence posts who gave me a nod but didn’t stop his work.
The climb out of the valley made my legs burn. I’d gotten soft during my rest days in Auckland, and now I was paying for it. Up on the ridge, the path cut through dense bush where nikau palms crowded overhead and supplejack vines caught at my pack. Everything dripped. My jacket went from dry to soaked within twenty minutes, though I couldn’t tell if it was rain or just condensation from the forest itself.
Around midday, the trail dumped me onto roads for a stretch. Not the worst walking, but the shoulder was narrow and utes flew past close enough to make me flinch. I stopped at a dairy in Waiwera for a pie and a chocolate milk, sitting on the curb outside while a local dog investigated my pack with great interest.
The final push to Orewa beach felt longer than the map suggested. My feet ached, and I’d developed a hot spot on my heel that I knew would be a blister by morning. But then the track spat me out onto the sand, and there was the Tasman Sea stretching gray and infinite to the horizon. I dropped my pack, pulled off my boots, and waded into the shallows. The cold water was perfect. A couple of kids were flying a kite further down the beach, and their laughter carried on the wind. I stood there until my feet went numb, watching the waves roll in, already thinking about the section ahead.
