Little Waihi to Maketu
New Zealand

The Little Waihi to Maketu walk takes you along the coast where you can see seabirds, pied oyster catchers, herons, and views of Mt Maunganui in distance, and Motiti and Plate Islands nearby.

Type of Walk: Coastal, along beach

Time, overall:

5 1/2 hr from Tauranga, including travel time
Walk 2hr 15 min including lunch stop of 1/2 hr.
Leave Tauranga 9:30, back at 3pm

Track conditions:

The route is easy to follow
We start along sand inside an estuary, but soon reach small boulders, which are fairly easy to walk over to reach the ocean beach.
At low tide it’s easy walking on the hard sand
A lovely walk round a headland with views out to sea, and along the coast

Grading/Fitness required:

Leisurely - walk unaided over uneven ground, small boulders in some places - rock hopping size

Recommendations:

Tide needs to be out for this walk, enquire about tide times for preferred dates
Take binoculars for sea bird and cliff viewing

Points of interest:

Seabirds, pied oyster catchers, herons, etc
View of Mt Maunganui in distance, Motiti and Plate Islands nearby.
There are sandstone cliffs behind with interesting layers of different rock visible, and birds evident by the kingfisher holes
The walk starts at the motor camp at Little Waihi. Across the estuary is the seaside village of Pukehina
Stop for lunch at a drift wood tree which offers seating for several people
Toilet blocks at both ends
On getting to Maketu there is a shop and cafe... and a bakery that makes the locally famous pies at end of road - all manner of varieties of pie to be tasted