🌿 Enjoy a Coastal Walk to a huge secret mermaid rockpool ! 🌿
Update: 15.02.26 track is currently closed due to slips. Please keep note of the DOC website for updates (we will also)
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whananaki-area/things-to-do/motutara-recreation-reserve-walk/
🏞️ Easy 1 -2hr return walk with stunning coastal views. (3.4km return)
🏝️ The blue lagoon is at the end of the track & is a scramble rock climb down. Only go at low tide.
🚶♂️ Start at Whananaki village on the east coast, signposted from Rockell Bay Road
🚗 Limited roadside parking, so be careful when parking
🧗♂️ This secret lagoon is known to the locals as 'Harry’s Lagoon' after a bull fell down into it from the paddocks above and had to be winched out. This was around the 1950's and made the local newspaper! (We have a copy of the article if you'd like to see it)
👣 What to Expect:
🌾 First part of the official track passes through private farmland and a campground (no dogs, respect the land as we are privileged to access this area).
🏖️ Secluded beaches and great spots for fishing and diving once you’re in the reserve
🧗 The pool requires some 'rock climbing' to reach, please take your time and be careful.
Hint: (For the advanced adventurers):
🌊 There’s a deep rock pool towards the sea edge of the lagoon — locals jump off a tall rock in the rockpool (if safe to do so).
🗺️ You can see the lagoon very clearly using Google Maps, so you can follow the track and use Google Maps also as your guide.
🐝 Wasps and wasp nests may be present in this area.
🚪 Leave gates as you find them, leave only footprints.
📜 Northland reserve bylaws apply to Motutara Recreation Reserve.
Handy sites:
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/whananaki-area/things-to-do/motutara-recreation-reserve-walk/
https://whangareionline.co.nz/listings/the-rock-hole-via-the-motutara-farm-track-whananaki-north
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/northland/motutara-recreation-reserve-walk
💬 Let us know if you make it to the lagoon and what you find! :) Tag us in your pix!
