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Kawakawa to Kaikohe

Kawakawa to Kaikohe

Trail Status – 1 Alert: There is a 300m on-road detour between Kawakawa and Kaikohe.

Distance – 34km
Grade – 1 – 2

Trail Highlights

    • Twin Suspension Bridges at Tuhipa
    • The Orauta Stream
    • Rural scenery cycling through farmland
    • Kaikohe Aerodrome
    • The Pioneer Village in Kaikohe

Dogs on the Trail

Dogs are permitted on a lead except in the following areas:

1. Between the Macadamia Orchard (Horeke Rd) through Mangataraire Roads.  This is a 12.5km section of trail. (Okaihau to Horeke)
2. There are a number parcels of land adjacent to Horeke Road managed under the Utakura No. 7 Inc. which prohibit dogs and horses. (Okaihau to Horeke)
3. The section of cycle trail which comes off Ngapipito Road (Moerewa) and navigates to the suspension bridges also prohibits dogs. (Kawakawa to Kaikohe)
4. The section of cycle trail which comes off Ngapipito Road (Moerewa) and navigates to the suspension bridges also prohibits dogs. 

Please note: dogs must be on a lead at all times.

Please check out the full Trail Code

Trail Overview

  • Kawakawa is a bustling rural town with some big tourist attractions.
  • The perfect toilet stop is Hundertwasser toilets.  There are cafes, a small supermarket, museum, art gallery and plenty of craft and gift shops.  The vintage trains also travel along the main street, the only place in NZ where this happens.
  • Leaving Kawakawa from just behind the railway station, the trail takes you past the back of Moerewa town, passing the disused wood mill and other industrial areas giving you an insight into a rural small town in New Zealand, there is a public toilet, a bakery, a small supermarket, butchery and a takaway in town.
  • The next 25km of the trail is a gradual incline to Kaikohe, passing the northernmost operational point of the railway at Otiria which recently stopped running. Beautiful waterfalls, the impressive Orauta Stream suspension bridges and rolling farmland.
  • Before you reach Kaikohe you will pass Kaikohe Aerodrome built in 1942 as a US Marines bomber base, is the largest grass strip in the Southern hemisphere used now by general aviation.
  • Arriving in Kaikohe – you are at the highest point of the trail. Kaikohe is a farming town in which you will find plenty of eateries and supermarkets and accommodation places.
  • Visit the Kaikohe Pioneer Village. Just 200 metres off the trail this 5 acre outdoor museum full of historic buildings and treasures welcomes visitors with its friendly staff and also offers complimentary tea, coffee and water!

The Basics

  • Parking, toilets and food at Kawakawa, Moerewa and Kaikohe
  • Toilet along the trail – between Otiria and Kaikohe at Rakautao 16.9 kms
  • Going East to West slight incline riding up to Kaikohe for approx. 3 kms
  • On Ngapipito Road between Otiria and Kaikohe the detour requires cyclists to ride on the road for about 500m before re-joining the formed trail

Important – Don’t forget to lock your bike!

Parking

Kawakawa

  • Johnson Park, Kawakawa
  • Kawakawa Railway Station, Gillies Street
  • In the public car park opposite the Star Hotel (access from Old Whangae Rd)

Moerewa

  • Station Road (near Taumarere School)

Kaikohe

  • Station Road (opposite Kaikohe Refuse Centre – small carpark)
  • Taheke Road Reserve (adjacent to Taheke Rd, SH12) – main carpark)

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