The track out to Motukiore Island starts off Whangarei Heads Road (see Parking Waypoint). Clear trail markers exist through the mangroves as the track passes between the 'Pines' golf club and the Whangarei Harbour; however be prepared to get your feet wet. Even at low tide the early part of the track (300 metres to 450 metres along the track from the carpark) can be wet and muddy and includes a creek forge. Once past the mangoves and onto the beach the walk is much easier.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aside from the pa itself, Motukiore is covered with relics of the 19th and 2oth centuries. There were three houses on the island (two ‘cottages’ and one ‘homestead’), orchard trees, hedges, gardens, numerous sheds, and stockyards. Of all the structures, only four remain: the two water tanks, the pump shed and windmill. The pump shed and windmill are recent additions, built some time after 1976.
A bamboo hedge, exotic trees, a water tank, and remnants of concrete building foundations remain of the two cottage sites on the western flats. A large pear tree and a fig tree, both still producing fruit, are among the remnants of the old orchard.
Source: DOC Online Information
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please rehide well.