About | Rangatira Point Walking Track
The Rangatira Point Walking Track takes you along to the point, which is the place to be when summer rolls around. It’s a good spot to go diving into the water and it doesn’t take too long to get there from the road. The Rangatira Point Walking Track is nice and shady and mostly flat. Great for picnics and fishing as well or even just for a little explore on the flat volcanic rocks.
Choose your time: 30 minutes or 1.5 hours return depending on which car park you start at.
Fork in the road: on your way, you’ll come across a fork in the road while on the Rangatira Point Walking Track that doesn’t have any signs telling you which way you should be heading – check out the map below to find out.
Note: water is deep, best for confident swimmers, otherwise just come relax by the lake and check out the views.
Dogs allowed.
Nearby
Besley Park (has a playground for the kids to play at)
Whakaipo Bay Recreational Reserve
Location
Check out the map below to get an idea of the walking track.
Two starting points, both on the left side along Acacia Bay Road:
- long way: car park is around 1114 – 1062 Acacia Bay Road. There is a little sign there but if a car is parked in front of it you may miss it.
- short way: a little further along the road and you’ll come across another small parking spot.
Photos
We started from the first car park which is the longer way. The track takes you through the bush, little tracks lead you to the lake. If you’re going swimming and can’t be bothered walking the whole distance just take the shorter route. You’re not missing out on too much.
When you end up at the big tree there’ll be a fork in the road. Keep left if you’ve gone the long way, staying closest to the lake. If you’ve gone the short way, go right. We were a little confused by this as there wasn’t any signage and we hadn’t looked at google maps, but thought if we stuck to the side closest to the lake we couldn’t go wrong.
There are some pretty cool views of the lake and off into the distance, Mt Tauhara, which you can walk up.
There are a few parts of the tracks the meanders along the lake where we saw a few kayakers enjoying a paddle and probably heading to the Maori Rock Carvings which are just around the bend from our destination, Whakamoenga Point, though it can’t be seen from there. What a great way to see the carvings, we were almost tempted to go hire out a kayak but didn’t have enough time!
And then we made it! And it was amazing! The water was so clear and inviting and we were kinda sad that we hadn’t brought our togs because it’s the most gorgeous spot. Definitely coming back next summer for a swim!
