Rawhiti: Coastal Walks, Culture and Cape Brett

Rawhiti brings together walking tracks, coastline and cultural history. The Cape Brett Track starts at Oke Bay; Te Araaka, meanwhile, tells of paths that were also significant to the tūpuna of Ngāti Kuta and Patukeha. Tides and access information are part of planning some routes.

Cape Brett: the route, tides and a side trip to the water

The Cape Brett Track starts at Oke Bay in Rawhiti. Nearby, the 16-kilometre route passes through native and regenerating bush. A significant section between Rawhiti and Deep Water Cove crosses private land. Land access arrangements can change, so follow the latest official instructions. Also check current track conditions before setting out.

Access to the Cape Brett walking track from Oke Bay depends on the tides. Before walking, take the tides and swell into account. A one-hour return trip leads from the Cape Brett Track to Deep Water Cove, where swimming and snorkelling are possible. The time estimate applies to this side trip, not the 16-kilometre route. Water conditions and access can change. A water taxi to Cape Brett Reserve is also available from Rawhiti; confirm its availability before travelling.

Oke Bay is also a beach accessible by a walking track from Rawhiti Road. Beach and track conditions can vary seasonally. This offers a different perspective on the coast from the longer track through bush: when planning your day, beach conditions and the tide-dependent access to the Cape Brett walking track are the main considerations.

Te Araaka and its cultural significance

Te Araaka was a tribal pathway used by the tūpuna of Ngāti Kuta and Patukeha to carry tūpāpaku for burial in their ancestral burial caves. The path formed part of a longer connection linking inner Ipipiri with Te Rāwhiti and Rakaumangamanga. This extent makes Te Araaka more than a single path: it is part of a larger cultural landscape of pathways.

The Te Araaka urupā is located on an old pā on a ridge and is still in use today. If you visit these places, follow local tikanga. At Te Araaka, the focus is not only on the paths and landscape, but also on the history and continuing significance of the place.

Coastal walks and traces of history

Near Rawhiti, the Whangamumu Track passes through forest and along the beach to Whangamumu Harbour. The Whangamumu Whaling Station can be reached via this track from Rawhiti Road. The beach section to the station is accessible only for one to two hours either side of high tide. Plan your walk around the tides and check access information before setting out.

The surviving remains of the Whangamumu Whaling Station include oil tanks or containers, a beach slipway and an old boiler. The historic structures may be unstable; follow DOC safety advice. Another historic coastal feature near Rawhiti is the Cape Brett lighthouse: it was first lit on 21 February 1910 and is powered by a large clockwork mechanism.

The 16-kilometre Cape Brett Track is a different walk from the one-hour return trip to Deep Water Cove, and their access conditions also differ. Those including the Whangamumu side should also allow for the limited walking time around high tide. This makes it possible to consider planned experiences alongside their specific conditions.

A different perspective on the Far North District

Further afield in the Far North District, the Te Paki Coastal Track and Te Ahu Museum offer other points of interest. The Te Paki Coastal Track can be walked in full or in selected sections; there are four campsites along the route. Check the latest official route information before setting out, as operating conditions and closures can change.

Te Ahu Museum, at the Te Ahu Centre in Kaitāia, presents the history of the Far North District. Topics include pre-European Māori artefacts, gold mining, the Dalmatian heritage, kauri gum and timber, early shipwrecks, and missionaries and pioneers. Films, interactive exhibits, virtual landscape tours and informative displays are designed for visitors of all ages. The extensive archive contains documents, journals, newspapers, maps and photographs; more than 500 records are available online.

Discover more destinations: Awanui, Lake Ohia, Cable Bay, Waipu, Ruakaka, Whangaruru, Otaika, Kaikohe

For the broader travel overview: Northland.