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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -34.82724, 173.39977. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 400 m one way
- Walking time
- 5 min
- Track grade
- Easiest
- Location
- Karikari Peninsula
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
Take a quick walk to a long, white sandy beach on Northland's Karikari Peninsula.
This DOC directory entry covers Karikari Bay Walk in Northland, within Karikari Peninsula. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 400 m one way
- Walking time: 5 min
- DOC grade: Easiest
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.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The short Karikari Bay Walk on the west side of the Karikari Peninsula gives you access to Karikari and Puwheke beaches.
From there, a short walk takes you to the top of Puwheke, and a freedom walk over Puwheke affords panoramic views of the northern peninsula and Doubtless Bay.
Getting there
Road access to the track 100 metres past the Maitai Bay campsite entrance.
Maitai Bay is located on the outer Karikari Peninsula, on Maitai Bay Road, about 44 km northeast of Kaitaia.
From Kaitaia, head north on SH1 until you reach Awanui, then turn right onto SH10. Continue on SH10 for 14.6 km, then turn left onto Inland Road. Continue along Inland Road for 15 km, then turn left onto Maitai Bay Rd and continue for 5 km. The Maitai Bay Campsite entrance is signposted on your right.
Note: You travel 2 km on a gravel road.
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.
