Anaura Bay Walkway: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This track passes through coastal forest, pine-clad valleys and dense native bush - with a fairly easy grade it's suitable for children, although some climbing is required and there are a few steep places.

This DOC directory entry covers Anaura Bay Walkway in Gisborne, within Anaura Bay area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 4.5 km loop
• Walking time: 2 hr
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

• Anaura Bay Walkway partial closure; First published on 25 March 2022. Last reviewed on 10 August 2026.

Seasonal restrictions

Fires are not allowed at any time. See fire rules on conservation land.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

The loop formation of the track means it can be walked from either direction. The best starting point is the entrance on the true right bank of the stream at the northern end of the recreation reserve. This is marked by the walkway sign.

After crossing a stile, the track winds up through young coastal forest with abundant birdlife to an open farm paddock. A brief climb through this paddock brings the walker to a ridge saddle with panoramic views of Anaura Bay, Motuoroi Island and the coastline to the south.

The track then curves down through pine-clad valleys and turns left off the vehicle track into the scenic reserve. The bed of the Waipare Stream is followed down through the scenic reserve, under the shade of the dense green native bush and out again to the recreation reserve.

Getting there

The walkway is located at the northern end of Anaura Bay.

To get to Anaura Bay, turn off SH35 onto Anaura Road, about 67 km north of Gisborne. Travel a further 8.7 km down Anaura Road.

Know before you go

There are water crossings above the ankles in the Waipare Stream, with a moderate climb to the lookout. Extreme care is required when crossing the streams.

Only walk the track in dry conditions. This is because this track is very slippery when wet.

The walkway may be closed at the discretion of the landowners due to fire risk.

The track is boggy in one area approximately half way into the track. A large section of this track is in a pine forest. During windy conditions be careful of falling branches.

It is not advisable to walk in windy conditions due to windfall from the old pine trees.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.