Ūawa Cycle and Walkway

Te Ara Eke Paihikara, Hīkoi hoki o Ūawa

including Tatarahake Cliff Lookout

This easy trail around the Ūawa township consists of two loops, and encompasses views of the Ūawa River, town and beach. The pathway provides a safe off-road connection between Tolaga Bay Area School, the Tolaga Bay shops and amenities, skatepark, pumptrack, golf course and other activities, with Ūawanui a Ruamatua Awa, Tātarahake Beach, Tātarahake Cliff lookout, and Ūawa Parade as some of the points of interest. Look out for the fitness equipment installed along Forster Street, and do some resistance training on the way!

The cycle and walkway entrance sign at the corner of SH35/Cook Street and Monkhouse Street, is where a blessing was held at the start of the trail construction. Wayfinding signs have been placed along the trail, and in August the Ūawa Cycle and Walkway Trust have installed six storyboards with ancestral stories, information about the history of the Ūawa River, ngā marae, kumara cultivation, fishing and diving, the wildlife, the township, and early transport including crossing the Ūawa River.

Apart from a concrete path from Monkhouse Street to Tolaga Bay Area School, and shared footpath between Forster Street and Solander Street, the 2.5m-3m wide trail comprises compacted fine compacted gravel.

Native trees and flax line the trail towards the Ūawa River river mouth, where the 2012 Transit of Venus native trees were planted. More planting work is ongoing. 

The cycle and walkway circuit takes you close to the start of the climb up to the Tātarahake Cliff Lookout at the northern end of Tātarahake Beach. This is a 10-minute, steep climb including steps. The lookout provides outstanding views of Ūawa township, beach and river, Karaka Bay, inland cropping and farmland, and on a clear day, Hikurangi Maunga.