Shifts the focus to the harbour side of our stunning peninsula, with options to climb the landmark Mount Manaia, its smaller cousin Mount Aubrey or stroll along well formed paths at altitudes closer to sea level.
After breakfast enjoy a lift back to Urquhart Bay. If you didn’t get to look at Smugglers Bay or Home Point yesterday, this is an easy walk to start your day.
The road follows the harbour, walk around to Taurikura and choose your options!
Option one:
From Taurikura walk up the hill to the Settlers Monument, after admiring the spectacular view follow the signs to the Mount Manaia track. A moderate level of fitness is required for this 3.5 km return walk. The track is well formed and marked but the natural rock lookouts have no safety barriers, so take care and stay away from the drop-offs. This will take approximately 2 – 2.5 hours return.
Option two:
From the Settlers Monument turn left into Bay View Road and head down to the beach. Turn right to follow the track around the point past the marine reserve and the old freezing works ruins to Reotahi. Keep following the road up the hill and around the side of Mount Aubrey, turn right at the store and you have completed a loop. This is an easy walk that will take approximately 45 minutes.
Option three:
From the Settlers Monument turn left into Bay View Road and head down to the beach. Turn right to follow the track, a few minutes along turn right – this is signposted – to climb Mount Aubrey. This is well formed with paths and stairs; it will take approximately one hour to get to the top and down the other side to Tiller Park. Turn right to the store and right again to get back to the Monument. This will take approximately 1.5 hours.
Some people choose to drive their own cars to the start of this day's walk and then continue on their homeward journey. Otherwise we are happy to drop off and pick up as you require it, but if we are expecting a new group of walkers that afternoon we ask that you pack your gear up in the morning and leave the lodge by 4pm.
