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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: -35.25363, 174.28259. 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
- 4.2 km one way
- Walking time
- 1 hr
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Cape Brett and Whangamumu area
- Seasonal restrictions
- The track is closed from the end of the Easter holidays through to 1 December each year. This is to prevent the spread of kauri disease during the wet months.
- 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
Go for an easy forest and beach walk to Whangamumu Harbour.
This DOC directory entry covers Whangamumu Track in Northland, within Cape Brett and Whangamumu 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: 4.2 km one way
- Walking time: 1 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.
- Whangamumu Track closed; First published on 19 January 2026. Last reviewed on 7 October 2026.
Seasonal restrictions
The track is closed from the end of the Easter holidays through to 1 December each year. This is to prevent the spread of kauri disease during the wet months.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Come for a walk along a path that whalers used to take in the early 20th century to one of New Zealand’s last remaining shore-based whaling stations.
This track is a comfortable walk starting at the Tangatapu wetlands through regenerating coastal forest up and over a ridge to the sandy beach at the head of the Whangamumu Harbour. Interpretation signs explain the historic features of the area. The track is not suitable for mountain biking.
Once at Whangamumu Harbour turn left along the beach and take the short 10-minute track to the historic Whangamumu Whaling Station. This track can be walked up 1-2 hours either side of high tide; at other tide times this short section of beach track is closed to walkers.
Camping is not permitted. Te Toroa Track links Whangamumu Track to Cape Brett Track
Getting there
Access to the Whangamumu Track is from Rawhiti Road, 1.1 km from the Manawaora Road and Rawhiti Road intersection.
From Russell, take the Russell-Whakapara Road for 13.8 km and turning off at Kempthorne Road. Follow the road through Parekura Bay, continuing on to Manawaora Road. At the top of the road, turn left onto Rawhiti Road.
From Whangarei travel north turning off SH1 at Whakapara. Follow the Russell Road until you get to Rawhiti Road.
Closed tracks
Whangamumu Track links up with two other tracks – Kauri Grove and Te Toroa tracks. These two tracks are closed to help prevent the spread of kauri disease. These tracks are on private land owned by Rawhiti 3B2 Ahu Whenua Trust.
The track from Oke Bay to Cape Brett is still open.
Know before you go
Protect our kauri
Stay on the track at all times and clean your footwear using the hygiene station at the track entrance. This will reduce the chance of spreading kauri disease.
Learn about kauri disease
Access advice
This track is open 1 December until the Easter holiday.
Track crosses private land for the first 15 minutes of the walk so remain near the DOC track markers.
Mountain biking is not permitted on this track.
No fires due to risks to wildlife.
No camping.
No hunting.
No unauthorised horses or vehicles of any type.
Safety and security
Check the tide timetable before leaving to ensure you can walk across the beach to the historic Whangamumu Whaling Station.
Before leaving for your walk, make sure your vehicle is locked and any valuables out of sight.
History and culture
The harbour was where one of New Zealand’s last shore-based whaling stations existed: the historic Whangamumu Whaling Station.
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 published in DOC's official route gallery with an explicit reuse licence. Its original caption and credit are retained; it does not establish current track conditions.
