By Outdoor Next Editorial standards
On this page
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: -35.71563, 174.53000. 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
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- Not specified in the checked DOC directory
- Track grade
- Easiest
- Location
- Pataua Island Recreation Reserve
- 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
Pataua Island Track is a short access track that skirts the Pataua Estuary and leads you to a lovely beach.
This DOC directory entry covers Pataua Island Track in Northland, within Pataua Island Recreation Reserve. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
- 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
This is just a short access track that takes you to a lovely beach, and skirts the Pataua estuary.
The track is almost flat and easy, but there is no wheelchair access.
Pataua is a very popular beach that offers safe swimming in the estuary and the ocean side.
Getting there
The Pataua South community is a 45-minute drive east of Whangārei. Pataua South road is off the Whangārei Heads Road. The car park is located down Mahanga Road.
Know before you go
There are no public toilets at the DOC carpark accessing the Pataua Island Track. There are council maintained toilets near the footbridge at the end of Pataua South Rd.
A rāhui (cultural closure) has been placed on the pā and fenced off back dune area at Pataua south. Visitors should not use Pataua pā as a recreational site.
The site is a culturally significant landmark to the local tangata whenua and is considered wāhi tapū (sacred and subject to restriction).
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.
