Local Walks, Walks

Local Walk – Kohi Point Walkway

Suzanne

There’s always something to draw us to Whakatane, though it has been a while with one thing or another. A while back and many times previously, I have enjoyed the lovely walking tracks, and the Kohi Point track is one of them.

The circuit – from town to Ohope Beach and back to the start.

You can start the walk from downtown Whakatane, right behind the big rock in the town centre. The escarpment steps start on the left-hand side of Rock Pit Gym. Hillcrest Rd is at the top of the steps, with sweeping township views.

Pohaturoa rock remains an important landmark and a symbolic gesture of peace between Maori and Pakeha within the Whakatāne community.
The township and the Whakatane River.

While walking along Hillcrest Road, you must cross over to the left. It’s a short 2 min walk to Seaview Rd. There is a car park on the left-hand corner with a good view of the Whakatane River and town.

Then, a short while later, a view of the sign on the right-hand side of the road points to Nga Tapuwaea Toi Walkway, which is on your left.

The Sign

Walking to Kohi Point was relatively easy as we followed the track. The first point of interest is only 5 minutes away: Wairere Falls. Then, there’s a better view of the falls from back in town. In the early days, the falls powered flax and flour mills.

Bush track

The first 40 minutes are a gradual uphill walk with little to see. At around 40 minutes, we saw the track to the lookout to Toi’s Pa. It is worth the 10 m walk to see impressive views of Whakatane and out to Mt Edgecumbe at 821 m or up the coast to Tauranga.

A view of Mt Tarawera from Whakatane, though not on the trail, as I didn’t have one from that angle.

From here on, the track levels out a little to Kohi Point, with fantastic views of Whale Island. Whale Island is 10 km. White Island is 49 km, and Cape Runaway is 96 km.

Whale Island from the track before descending towards Ōtarawairere Beach. This beach is gorgeous, and I must share that with you another day.

You can also look down to the traitorous Whakatane Harbour bar. On a day when the sea is running at a 2m swell, you can sit at the entrance to the harbour and watch with excitement as the fishing boats try to navigate the waves.

An undigitial photo – 1994. On this day, the weather was calm.

The Squire, many years ago, in his crazy, adventurous sea-faring days, was one of those fishermen who found navigating that harbour bar invigorating. I like to feel the earth under my feet on days like those and take in the scenery. Obviously, I was more of an enthusiastic walker than he was.

Unknown's avatar

Published by Suzanne

I'm a lover of creativity and movement, expressed through photography, words, travel and sports. . . . . . .

34 thoughts on “Local Walk – Kohi Point Walkway”

    1. It is indeed a lovely spot for a picnic. Years ago on a part of it, using the car to venture up to the hill we eat sushi with the nieces we were looking after. A beach walk followed. Other times it’s me that does the hill climbing.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Pauline, I hope you both do come back to NZ for another holiday. If not, you’re making the most of getting out and about in Australia more than most people do that live over there.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

        1. I can relate to that. We are enjoying staying put, most probably due to obvious health reasons and becoming part of a community is more important than travel at the moment.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

    1. A bit like walking up Mauao, though less strenuous. Whakatane hasn’t changed much over the years though it’s Ohope Beach situated over the hill from there that grabs the attention of visitors.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Add to the conversation