Te Araroa Trail Maps

Te Araroa Trail Maps

Update: There’s now an official printable map set from the Te Araroa Trust, you’re best using these for the most up-to-date and accurate route info.

CookieIf you’re planning on doing the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand, or just fancy having a closer look at what me and Nicky are going to be doing for the next 6 months, then here’s all the maps (268.4MB)! I can’t guarantee the route I’ve drawn on is accurate, the route itself is constantly changing, but also expect a fair amount of human error! If you use these maps follow your judgement and common sense, over the orange line. I didn’t get around to making all the map notes I’d of liked too.. but I’ve run out of time now and need to get on with other stuff. My plan is to check for the latest route descriptions and read people’s journals to find out info about the next section as we go and then doodle these notes onto my printed out maps. I’ve left a space on every page to be used for this purpose.

I always enjoy the pre-walk planning and mapping stage, although I’ve never bitten off anything even remotely as complex or long as this before.. Got to say a big thank you to Land Information New Zealand who made all the 1:50,000 scale topographic maps and hats off to you for making them all freely downloadable :) The Te Araroa Trust for building the trail in the first place and providing all the route descriptions on their site. And most importantly to Geoff Chapple who founded the trust 16 years ago and who has been spearheading it’s development ever since.

When you’re following a pre-defined route, there’s always the temptation to work out a few variations that suit you’re own preference of terrain etc. While mapping the trail I managed to rack up more than I was expecting, 57 maps worth in total! I’ve got no idea how many, if any of these we’ll do, those sort of decisions usually make themselves at the time. But if you’re interested, these can be downloaded too (164.9MB).

Word of warning though – I’ve never been to New Zealand, so have absolutely no personal experience whether these are any good or not. I think they are all probably longer and more difficult than the official route.. But they do follow the same numbering as the official route maps (just with a ‘b’ after the number) so you can see where they fit into the trail.

Day 4, The Bluff – Sand Dunes

Day 4, The Bluff - Sand Dunes

Utea Park, Hukatere

Utea Park

Paradise Meadow

CookieBlimey the contrast from the Herekino forest to this section of the trail between Diggers Valley Road and Waiotehue Road was unbelievable, felt like we were walking through the paradise. Even though the Te Araroa website marks this section as no camping, there’s nothing of the sorts mentioned on the sign as you enter. There’s ample awesome camping spots a-plenty in this, our favourite section of the trail so far.

Out of Gas and Out of Cash

Mangamuka Saddle

CookieI’m not quite sure if today’s turn of events was a blessing in disguise or not? Nicky was sick of the jungle and pretty tired when we rolled into Mangamuka Bridge looking to re-supply. We only had $20 left in cash and the store didn’t take Visa or MasterCard, neither did the cafe, nor the pub/hotel.. Shite. Note to self – carry more cash (hope there’s no muggers reading this ;) Maybe we can get one of these Eftpos cards, they seem the only plastic taken around here.

Anyhow, $20 of food wasn’t going to get us to KeriKeri so we had to hitch to the nearest town with a cash machine. Blooming Kaitaia, where we started from! Well probably turned out for best because Nicky’s getting a good rest in a comfy motel and we can get a bus from here to KeriKeri tomorrow, missing out the next bit of jungle (much to Nicky’s delight).

Russell Whakapara Road

Kiwi painted on the road

Map of tricky section

Map of tricky section

 

Oakura Bay Rest Day!

Oakura Bay

Heading down to Ocean Beach to camp

Heading down to Ocean Beach to camp

CookieTo what is probably our favourite camp spot so far this holiday, at the beginning of Ocean Beach on a little grassy ledge overlooking the ocean, and Awanua Rock.

Kim the Belgian – Peach Cove Hut

Kim the Belgian - Peach Cove Hut