Stage 4 Hirst Reserve, Orongo Bay to Florance Avenue, Russell
Distance 4.5 km, Walking Time 60 min (Florance Ave to Russell Wharf 30 mins)
From Orongo Bay Homestead follow DOC Markers through Hirst Reserve. Short boardwalks have been provided for when the ground is waterlogged. Check out this video of the homestead and parts of stage 4.
After passing through re-generating bush a grassy track leads to the 510 meter boardwalk crossing the mangrove flats. At low tide boulders can be seen at the Hirst reserve end. Some of these contain white coloured manganese deposits and are remnants of the mining of manganese from Mt.Tikitikioure 1874 - 1887. The ore was packed in wooden boxes at the sorting sheds on the mountain and from there by the one and a quarter mile long flying fox-type wire system down to a pontoon moored in the middle of the bay. This pontoon was anchored in the deeper water where lighters could tie alongside to load the ore to be exported to steel mills around the world. Some of the boulders are discarded ballast.
Along the boardwalk there is seating and interpretive signage giving information on both the historical and the mangrove environment.
The track emerges at Orongo Bay Oyster Farm layby and shop. This was one of the first marine farming areas to be developed in Northland. Oyster farming leases were issued here in 1966. These first oysters were rock oysters, but 10 years later Pacific Oysters invaded which were found to mature three times quicker than the rock oysters and continue to be harvested here.
Follow the track signage between the house and below Russell Road, respecting the owner's privacy. From here keep to the roadside sidewalk as far as the road crossing point, taking care to giveway to traffic.
At Uruti Road turn right and follow Uruti Road along the edge of the reedbed for approximately 70metres to the boardwalk on the left crossing the reedbed. The track skirts base of hill and wetland area with some stiles along the way. Re-cross reedbed and climb back to Russell Road emerging at the fenceline of Refuse Transfer Station.
Take care along this sidewalk following fenceline to arrive at Florence Avenue. Turn right and follow this winding backroad down the hill and turning right again at the bay onto Matauwhi Bay Road which is the main entry road into Russell township.