40 - 60 minutes one way | 4km Return | Whangarei
The Mount Manaia Track is a locals favourite and you can see why. It is relatively short and really well maintained and offers great views out across Marsden Bay and Whangarei Harbour. From the car park you arrive at a viewing platform after around 5 minutes which really marks the start of the track. From here, you head into the bush and start making your way up towards the summit.
Whilst the dense bush offers great shelter from the sun, there are plenty of opportunities to get glimpses out across the water as you wind your way up the hill. It is more or less a constant incline, but never really feels too strenuous, so it is quite an enjoyable walk up with a few step sections.
After just 30 minutes of walking I arrived at a boardwalk section which also offers some nice views out and leads you across the hill towards the final approach to the summit.
After 10 minutes I has arrived at the steps to the viewing platform. You can't get quite to the summit as this is protected land, but the platform allows you to get great views across the harbour and back towards some of the rocky outcrops that you have unknowingly passed along the way. I sat and made myself comfortable to watch the sunset, with the odd runner joining me briefly before making their way back down. It wasn't the nicest of evenings with the wind building as the sun went down, but did provide a great place to enjoy the changing light and wasn't a tough walk back down to the car. In total it took me around 40 minutes to reach the top and I made it down in around 25 minutes.
Parking: There is a car park directly off the Whangarei Heads Road behind the Mt Manaia Club.
Overnight Options: No overnight options on this track.
