Mangawhai Walking Weekend
Programme

THURSDAY TRAMPING GROUPS Thursday 11 th March 2010 Brynderwyn Walkway. Tramping groups - how about making this Brynderwyn trek your walk for the week? Come together and maybe stay together for the whole weekend of walks. To register use the booking form on the brochure or the web page. See fuller description under Thursday and Friday events. Meet at the Information Centre by the Golf Club entrance on Molesworth Drive at 9.15am. Pre-booking required Departs 9.30am, 5-6hrs   Grade 5 Friday 12th March 2010 Troubadour Trail - Take a two hour gentle walk round the estuary and cliffs while being entertained on the route. Walk one hour, entertainment one hour. See Thursday and Friday events for more information. Meet at the boat ramp, Alamar Crescent. Three departures; first at 2pm, 2-4hrs   Grade 2 Shore Bird and Beach Walk - An opportunity to discover the amazing shoe bird activity on the refuge/spit. Walk with a knowledgeable specialist/enthusiast as she shares her passion. See Thursday and Friday events for more information. Walk is flat but it is soft sand walking. Meet at the Mangawhai Beach School Departs 2.45pm, 4-5hrs   Grade3

SATURDAY 13th MARCH 2010

All participants meet at the Registration Centre 8.45am Gentle Warm Up - get the body moving Start off the weekend with this enjoyable, gentle warm up to enlivening music. Led by Jacqui, our local fitness instructor; get your circulation flowing in preparation for the walks ahead. 8.45am start   Grade 2 Cattlemount - on the Cullen farm at Brynderwyn Cattlemount, at 430 m above sea level, is the highest point on the range of bush and forest covered hills stretching from Mangawhai inland to the top of Pilbrow Hill (SH1) and beyond. Initially the walk is a steady climb over farmland till we meet the bush when the track takes us to the trig where a grand view is obtained in southerly and westerly directions. Bus. Departs 9.15am, 4-5hrs   Grade 4 Bike Ride - family fun A mountain bike ride for walkers who like variety, or bikers indulging their Walking Weekend mates. A gentle 25km bike ride suitable for all ages, through Mangawhai’s rolling farmland, to Te Arai Point and magnificent coastal views, followed by a blast home along a beautiful beach. Departs 11am, 3hrs   All cyclists Country Charm - Penrose Farm Take the short walk to Penrose Farm. Enjoy the donkeys, wander through the hand-crafted cottage and the garden. Suitable for children. For those a little more adventurous there is a walk with a short climb through regenerating bush. Departs 10am, 2-3hrs   Grade 1 but bush walk Grade 2 Doggy Walk - a walk with your best friend Bring your well socialised dog on a farm walk. Enjoy a leisurely walk across rolling farmland, towering trees and walking tracks through regenerating native bush located at the base of the majestic Brynderwyn range. Be prepared to share the great fun along with your dog. Experience total freedom as all areas are "off the leash". This is a real doggy walk. No plastic bags required! Come and discover another part of Mangawhai. Departs 10am, 3 hours   Grade 2 Essence of Mangawhai – a Kindergarten fundraiser Strolling through the back country of Mangawhai, this ramble will take in gardens, farmland, bush, waterways and art displays. There are some slight inclines, some gravel road walking and farmland to cross. We visit a number of lifestyle block people on the high edge of Mangawhai when they share with us their delight in their gardens. Expect a fun outing. Afternoon tea provided by the Kindy families. Car pool. Departs 10.15am, 3-4hrs   Grade 3 Estuary to the Ocean – time out Birds, seaside plants, sand and ocean will be experienced on this memorable walk with a life long resident of Mangawhai. Learn the amazing story of the bund wall and the importance of the bird refuge to all of New Zealand. Stories to be told. Time for a swim. Led by members of the Fairy Tern Trust Departs 9.40am, 4-5hrs   Grade 3 High Tara – imagine life as it was Climb a steep, bush clad hill to examine evidence of early Maori occupation. Enjoy some stunning views after walking through a Kauri grove. Marvel at a range of mosses and lichen. Hear about early Maori sites in the area. Come back down through the farm to visit an historic house. Pack a picnic lunch. Sturdy footwear or tramping boots required. Departs 9.45am, 3-4hrs   Grade 4-5 Historic Ramble – relive the 1900s We begin our ramble in the historic Tara with a visit to a carefully restored, stone house and dairy, then visit the old Tara Road school, a current restoration project. After imagining life in this era on the Tara we return to Mangawhai Village and take a walk along Moir Street with our local historian. If you have an early connection to Mangawhai or just want to understand more of the lives of our early settlers, this is the walk for you. Car pool. Departs 10am, 3-4hrs   Grade 1 How the Spirit of Mangawhai Saved the Harbour A visionary group of local volunteers who were to become the founding members of the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society decided to save their harbour and community by closing the storm-caused breach, reopening the historic inlet and revegetating the sand spit dunes. The story of this successful 18 year long project will be the focus of a Walking Weekend tour. Includes a boat trip. Departs 10am, 4-5hrs   Grade 3 Kayaking – make a change Now Mangawhai has the luxury of its own kayak company we are delighted to offer a kayak paddle on the estuary as part of the programme. Beginners welcome. Professional instruction will be given. The tide will be the deciding factor when it comes to the route we take. Come prepared. Departs 8.30am, 4-5hrs   Grade 2 Logues Bush - local native bush For those keen to learn more about New Zealand bush a walk through Logues will be a treat in store. Some years ago this land was obtained by the Mid-North Forest and Bird Society. Join the guides to explore and discover a local hidden icon. Car pool. Departs 10.00, 3hrs   Grade 2 Lookout to Lookout - beauty on our doorstep Begin and end at the Information Centre. In between we visit the estuary, admire the 1868 groyne (built from ballast thrown overboard from ships to create a protected harbour entrance), see amazing rocks, walk along hidden access ways, rise to vantage points with views of ocean and coast. We enjoy lunch above the surf at the Heads. Car pool. Departs 10.15am, 3-4 hrs   Grade 3 Mangawhai Cliff Top Walk – a very popular walk Part of the national walkway system, this track takes us along the cliff tops north of Mangawhai Heads. Vistas stretch from Whangarei to Pakiri. Picnic at Paradise Bay and swim in the clear water on the return route via the beach. Departure times are staggered and are dependant on numbers. Your departure time will be enclosed with your confirmation information pack. Car pool. Departs 9.30am, 4-5hrs   Grade 4 Missing Link – connecting route across Bream Tail The Department of Conservation is pleased to be able to add this new track to their Northland map. Last year we opened this track as a celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Mangawhai Walking Weekend. A huge effort by many people now enables us to connect the Cliff Top walkway with the Brynderwyns. It is a long walk with a number of manageable hills so plenty of great views of sea, bush and farmland. Departs 9.25am, 5hrs   Grade 4- 5 Natural Treasures - of Te Arai. Journey through time and space discovering the flora and fauna of Te Arai and the environments where they thrive The walk will traverse beach and forest to enjoy the varied landforms and ecosystems that make up this beautiful area. Chris Wild, a bio- geographer and long time resident of Mangawhai will share her passion for the land as she leads this walk. Depart 10.15am, 4hours   Grade 2 Pony Club Trek – a new view of Mangawhai A pony trek has often been suggested and this year the local Albertland Pony Club will host a horse trek through Te Arai Forest. Always a popular spot, this is a safe, calm and pretty area in which to enjoy a ride. Riders can opt to either ride half the trek or the full five hours. Time and meeting place will be given on registration. Avocados, vineyards, farmland, olives, pomegranates plus a dash of history - a versatile mix of five new and established life-stylers will share their passion and knowledge and tell us how they utilise and live on their land. See the largest pohutukawa. A lengthy but fascinating walk with surprise rewards. Departs 9.20am, 5-6hrs   Grade 3 Thornleigh Farm Walk - the evolving landscape For thirty years the farmer has been using sustainable farming techniques. While walking over part of the 170 acres that includes indigenous forest of kauri and kahikatea we will learn how every aspect of the land is cared for and reused. Historic events will be explained along with discussions on the changing environment/land-use. Of particular interest is the home orchard and we will lunch in the homestead gardens. Car pool. Departs 9.45am, 3-4hrs   Grade 3 Waipu – farmland estuary and beach Join a beautiful walk with members of a Waipu farming family with heredity to the original settlers. Our climb over pasture gives magnificent views of countryside and Bream Bay. We walk down to the Waipu River estuary at Johnstone’s Point, across to the beach where we can view the unique bird life in that area, and then it is down to the Cove where we finish with a swim at the Surf Club. Departs 9.30am, 4-5hrs   Grade 4

ART TRAIL The trail has been especially designed for the Walking Weekend. Make the most of the opportunity to see the work of 40 - 50 Mangawhai Artists, many professional, at either group shows or at work in their studios. Browse, buy or commission works including painting, pottery, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, flax weaving, furniture, glasswork and photography. For more information on the work of these artists check out the new website www.mangawhaiartists.co.nz

SUNDAY 14th MARCH 2010   All participants arrive at the Recreation Centre 15mins before departure time BREAKFAST – a delicious popular start to the day Starting at 8.30am at the Registration Centre: bring your pre-paid ticket. This is the breakfast not to be missed and a highlight of the weekend. It is a true gourmet breakfast with croissants, eggs, avocados and all the trimmings. Make sure you book for this treat fro your taste buds as numbers are restricted. Available only to all registered walkers. our local fitness instructor; get your circulation flowing in preparation for the walks ahead. Coastal Estuary Surprise – some of the new town trails Join this exciting walk starting at Estuary Drive. It includes town and country, architecture and history and breathtaking views of the coast and islands of the Gulf. We explore some new trails; visit an art venue with works by talented local people as well as a very special Mangawhai treat. A slight rise on the walk. Depart 10.20am, 3-4 hours   Grade 2 Essence of Mangawhai – a Kindergarten fundraiser Strolling through the back country of Mangawhai, this ramble will take in gardens, farmland, bush, waterways and art displays. There are some slight inclines, some gravel road walking and farmland to cross. We visit a number of lifestyle block people on the high edge of Mangawhai when they share with us their delight in their gardens. Expect a fun outing. Afternoon tea provided by the Kindy families. Car pool. Departs 10.15am, 3-4hrs   Grade 3 Estuary to the Ocean – time out Birds, seaside plants, sand and ocean will be experienced on this memorable walk with a life long resident of Mangawhai. Learn the amazing story of the bund wall and the importance of the bird refuge to all of New Zealand. Stories to be told. Time for a swim. Led by members of the Fairy Tern Trust. Departs 9.40am, 4-5hrs   Grade 3 Geology – the earth has a history Come and examine some of the local chapters of the Earth’s history revealed in the rocks of the Mangawhai surf beach foreshore and beyond. Volcanism, deep water deposits and more. The leader of this walk is Dr Garry Carr, geologist, teacher and part time resident of the Mangawhai Heads for nearly twenty years. Departs 10.30am, 3-4hrs   Grade 1 High Tara – imagine life as it was Climb a steep, bush clad hill to examine evidence of early Maori occupation. Enjoy some stunning views after walking through a Kauri grove. Marvel at a range of mosses and lichen. Hear about early Maori sites in the area. Come back down through the farm to visit an historic house. Pack a picnic lunch. Sturdy footwear or tramping boots required. Departs 9.45am, 3-4hrs   Grade 4-5 Historic Ramble – relive the 1900s We begin our ramble in the Historic Tara with a visit to a carefully restored, stone house and dairy, then visit the old Tara Road school, a current restoration project. After imagining life in this era on the Tara we return to Mangawhai Village and take a walk along Moir Street with our local historian. If you have an early connection to Mangawhai or just want to understand more of the lives of our early settlers, this is the walk for you. Car pool. Departs 10am, 3-4hrs   Grade 1 Honeylea Farm – a farmer’s viewpoint Join a local farming couple for a walk over their working dairy farm "Honeylea" . Listen as Eric tells us about the business and history of dairy farming, his love of the land and of their 32 years developing what was originally a rehab farm. Finish with a stroll with Jill through a huge glorious garden and home orchard that was taken from bare land 14 years ago. Car pool. Departs 9.15am, 4-5hrs   Grade 4 How the Spirit of Mangawhai Saved the Harbour A visionary group of local volunteers who were to become the founding members of the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society decided to save their harbour and community by closing the storm-caused breach, reopening the historic inlet and revegetating the sand spit dunes. The story of this successful 18 year long project will be the focus of a Walking Weekend tour. Includes a boat trip. Departs 19am, 4-5hrs   Grade 3 Kayaking – make a change Now Mangawhai has the luxury of its own kayak company we are delighted to offer a kayak paddle on the estuary as part of the programme. Beginners welcome. Professional instruction will be given. The tide will be the deciding factor when it comes to the route we take. Come prepared. Departs 8.30am, 4-5hrs   Grade 2 Mangawhai Cliff Top Walk – a very popular walk Part of the national walkway system, this track takes us along the cliff tops north of Mangawhai Heads. Vistas stretch from Whangarei to Pakiri. Picnic at Paradise Bay and swim in the clear water on the return route via the beach. Departure times are staggered and are dependant on numbers. Your departure time will be enclosed with your confirmation information pack. Car pool. Departs 9.30am, 4-5hrs   Grade 4 Marunui Conservation – Brynderwyns’ Bush Walk This walk on covenanted land passes through mature and regenerating bush, following valley and ridge tracks used in kauri logging days. Along the way Ewen Cameron, Auckland Museum’s Curator of Botany, will help us appreciate the forest’s values and special features – old rata, puriri, kauri, ferns, climbers and epiphytes. Afternoon tea at end. Sturdy footwear, one small stream crossing. Departs 9.30am, 5-6hrs   Grade 4 Pakiri Cliff Walk - get out your camera Discover the natural wonder of Pakiri. The track begins at the beach, rises up to the heights, travels along the ridge, past the pa site and back down to the beach. Magnificent views and landscape colours can be seen on this special walk. A longish bus ride but the rewards are worth it. Departs 9.15am, 4-5hrs   Grade 4 Photography Walk – take your best shot Sand dunes, water, boats, plants, people, landscapes….Gain creative control over your camera – hints on framing, composition, depth of field to suit the occasion, correct exposure, film types etc. Peter Davis, professional photographer from Waipu, is our guide. Car pool. Departs 10.15am, 3-4 hrs   Grade 2 Ramblers’ Food Experience – exploring the ways to harvest the land Avocados, vineyards, farmland, olives, pomegranates plus a dash of history; a versatile mix of five new and established life-stylers will share their passion and knowledge and tell us how they utilise and live on their land. See the largest pohutukawa. A lengthy but fascinating walk with surprise rewards. Departs 9.20am, 5-6hrs   Grade 3 Sanctuary Farm and Ridge Trail – so close to Mangawhai Breathtaking views of this magical coastline are rewards for the climb from the magnificent “Sanctuary” development to the Brynderwyn Ridge. The track sidles stands of puriri and follows bridle paths as it passes through the ‘kissing gates’. Along the route look for the double barrelled kauri, the amazing birdlife, virgin bush, native orchids, the old sawmill and the original homestead. A challenging loop walk of panoramic beauty. Car pool. Departs 9.3oam, 4-5hrs   Grade 5 Te Arai – discover the serenity of isolation This flat amazingly beautiful walk takes us from the Lake View Chalets through pine forest, around the Tomarata Lakes and out to the southern section of Te Arai beach with brilliant white sands, wild waves and blue sea. Look out for the sea birds and the memorial seat as we return on the loop track. This popular walk may have varying departure times so check your registration pack. Bus to walk and return. Depart 9.45am, 3-4hours   Grade 4 Truffle Walk – a unique experience Here is an opportunity to visit Mangawhai’s most prestige development – Te Arai Farm Park. We stroll amongst small hazelnuts and oak trees down to the ‘Pavilion’ to learn about the magical black truffle, its development and harvesting. Learn about the history of the Te Arai area and some agricultural projects of yesteryear. Departs 11am, 3-4hrs   Grade 3+