Mount Manaia's History and Culture
Mount Manaia is the tūpuna/ancestor and chief of Ngātiwai and many Iwi and hapū of not only Whangārei but the Northland region. The craggy peaks represent his family who were turned to stone through karakia - ritual chants - in a dispute over the infidelity of his wife.
As Mount Manaia is a wāhi tapu, a sacred place, please respect the area and keep to the marked tracks.
Mount Manaia Track
The Mount Manaia Track is a short track but a steep climb to the summit of Mount Manaia, 420 metres about sea level, with breathtaking views of the Whangārei Harbour. The track is in great condition and well maintained. DOC rates this track an easy walking track (4 km, 2 hour return). I would consider it a moderate walking track and about 1 1/2 hour return.
You will find the only toilets available at the carpark. The track officially begins a short walk away where there are information boards and a memorial to early European settlers. Be sure to use the foot wash station to help protect our kauri. The early part of the track is an easy grade and then the stairs begin. There are plenty of stair steps - more than 1000 in fact - that help greatly with the much steeper parts. The track is well shaded by the bush consisting of nikau palms, puriri and kauri until you reach the summit.
At the end of the trail there is a wooden staircase that leads to the highest accessible point. From the lookout, there are views to the north-east over Whangarei Harbour towards the city as well as Bream Head and views out to the ocean with the Hen and Chicken Islands. You must return the same way that you came.
The natural rock lookouts on this track have no safety barriers and limited available space – stay well away from the drop-offs and supervise children. Extra care should be taken in wet and windy conditions due to exposed nature of rock lookouts.
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Task / Logging Requirements
Please upload a photo with your log that is includes yourself, your GPS device/smartphone and/or a something displaying your geocaching username at the lookout at the end of the trail. Please include the amazing view in the background.
If you are unable to upload a clear photo that fits this requirement, then please send me, kan0e, the answer to the following question: How many wooden steps are there from the final raised platform to the rock lookout? Logs that do not meet the requirements and have no associated message sent will be deleted.
Encouraged optional task to include with your log: a photo of Mount Manaia from a distance - preferably on your way to complete this virtual.
Some cool suggestions include the Brynderwyn lookout on State Highway 1, the top of Mount Parihaka, a dock at a local tavern, or looking out a plane window before landing at Onerahi airport. A much more mundane suggestion would be from the track parking lot before heading up.
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Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.