Leave Friday after work and spend the night at Maungarakau lodge $ 20 pp.
On Saturday morning cross Anatori River by 4x4 or on foot and head out to the coastline. The walk to Kahurangi Point is an unmarked rout e along a wild and often windswept beach for approx. 18km (5 -hour walk) to the Kahurangi lighthouse Keepers' House (1 hut ticket per night) near Kahu rangi Point.
There are 2 rivers to cross at low tide. Bring your rai n pack cover to float your pack across the Big River, if necessary. Don't f orget the togs, as this is a great spot to swim. After Big River, the beach gives way to huge inter-tidal rock platforms near Kahurangi Point. Just be fore the point is the former lighthouse keepers house which is a 25-bunk hu t, to stay the night. A short walk further on around the coast takes you th rough sand dunes to the Lighthouse, built in1903. The lighthouse sits on th e point from which the park derives its name. The route is a bit bushy.
Sunday spent on a leisurely walk along the coast to Kahurangi River. Sp end time at Kahurangi Falls, which are situated just 10 minutes’ walk from the river mouth. The falls flow into a beautiful pristine pool, completely surrounded by lush bush right to the water’s edge - just inviting a swim on a hot day! Maybe explore Lagoon Creek with its lovely lowland bush. Return to the hut for a second night. Maybe draw a warm bath tub in the hut.
< p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6.0pt 0cm 6.0pt 0cm ;">Scenic delights include wonderful podocarp trees, Nikau palms and lowlan d bush, sand dunes and rock pools. Birds may include our Great Spotted Kiwi , numerous bush birds and sea birds. Fur seals are common on this coast dur ing the breeding season, and fishing is good off the beach.Remember the Bushman spray/lotion as the sand flies mean serious business.
Return by the same route on Monday, ensuring we catch low tide to cros s Big river. If there is time on the way home, we can walk up Knuckle Hill with views over Wanganui Inlet, or explore the wetlands, a noted area for birds. The lighthouse Keeper's House has 25 bunks. It is a popu lar place to visit so I expect at least half the trip participants should t ake a tent.
Note: Two river estuary crossi ngs. Low tide is mid day. Please note that this trip is very weather depend ent. If it rains the rivers will be unsafe to cross.
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