Where should the Cycleway/Walkway Go?

Last week I chaired a public meeting in the Anglican Church Hall which drew a great crowd, and some passions running hot for and against the proposed combined cycleway/walkway between Waipu village and Waipu Cove.

The end result of the meeting was:

1. Overwhelming support for the walkway/cycleway to do beside Cove Road (safely and separate from traffic)
2. This route would also point to the public access points to the estuary, and from here people could walk along the public esplanade reserves.
3. The issue of public access to Esplanade Reserves and strips remains important, and should be something that we continue to work with as a community,  and as affected landowners.
4. This worthwhile project needs continued community support, energy, and funding
5. The Trust overseeing the project will keep people in touch with developments via a newsletter and their website. Read more

New walking track gives access to the Brynderwyn ridge

Taken from the Bream Bay News – get the news online as well as in your letterbox

A new track which has been named the Tanekaha Forest Track has been built to provide public access to the Brynderwyn ridge. A group of volunteers describing themselves as “a bunch of old broken down track builders”, gained funding from the New Zealand Walking Access Commission and the agreement of private land owners Marunui Conservation Trust and dairy farmer Mark Gash, to form the track which was formally opened on Labour Weekend. Read more

Tides Out Fun Run/Walk

Its the time of the year to start training for this.

Entry forms available from Bream Bay Retail outlets from 9 September.

Race is Saturday 27 October  10am

Get Training!!!   Sharon at Smartfitness  can help,
join her newsletter for hints and encouragement!

Waipu Coastal Walkway – Te Ara Roa – Mangawhai Cliff Walk

Coastal walks in Waipu and Mangawhai have been getting some great coverage lately in the NZ Herald, a great build up for the upcoming Mangawhai Walking Weekend  31 March – 3 April.

Here are the links to the two recent NZ Herald articles:

Jim Eagles writes about Catered Coastal Walks, run by locals Natalie and Jac Spyksma:

Jac Spyksma with some of the meals created by Catered Coast Walks:

We climbed the narrow track through the long, wet grass, up one last steep slope and, suddenly, there before us was the magnificent sight of the Hen and Chickens, Sail Rock and Little Barrier, framed by Whangarei Heads and the stone figures of Manaia to the left and Cape Rodney to the right, all floating in a glittering silver sea.

We had reached the start of one of the most spectacular sections of Te Araroa – the national walkway system – the Mangawhai Cliffs track.

The section of track we had walked that morning, starting from near Lang’s Beach, is known by locals as “the Missing Link”, because when it opened in 2009 it joined together the established Brynderwyn and Mangawhai Cliffs trails.  Read More

Danielle Wright takes the road less travelled around the Waipu Coastal Trail:

Through a kind of secret passageway on Cove Rd, local Waipu resident Alan McKenzie, who we assume is in his sixties, is ushering us with large wooden walking sticks through the bush behind residential homes and on to the recently opened Waipu coastal trail.

He has a can of orange spray paint, and a fast gait, we’re having a hard time keeping up with him as he navigates scrub and launches himself over large tree stumps. Originally, this land would have been covered in kauri bush but today there are only four, very young, kauri here.

Nevertheless, the trail is exciting and our children can’t quite believe their luck being able to head off the beaten track like this, dodging spiders and stopping only to hear a quick shake of the spray can to re-mark the track – it’s as if we’re being led by the world’s oldest graffiti artist.   Read more

 

Pedal Power – a Fun Bike Event in Waipu

9am Sunday 15 April People are invited to ride bikes, unicycles and trikes, skate, scoot, drive mobility scooters, push pushchairs or just plain walk up and back along South Rd. to show their support for the proposed Waipu to Waipu Cove cycle and walking trail. Read more

Mangawhai Food – Wine – Walking

The Mangawhai Walking Weekend 31 March – 3 April 2012
Mangawhai Wine and Food Festival  31 March 3pm-7pm at the Olive Grove
Featuring James Ray

Mangawhai will once again be pumping with the best of walking and wine and food – just the combination of events which will tempt almost everyone.  Hundreds of people join in on these popular events, and you are often offered an opportunity to experience private walks only accessible during this time.  Check out the websites for more information.

The Tale of the Trail

Alan McKenzie writes about the the story of the development of the coastal trail from Waipu Cove south to Ding Bay. Leaflets about the trail from the Museum or Camp Waipu Cove.
Story first printed in the Bream Bay News November 2011 Read more

Walk the Waipu Coastal Trail

Even many locals have not walked this trail, but those that have describe it as ‘magnificent’, ‘Awesome rocks’, ‘one of the best walks I’ve done’. The Waipu Coastal Trail has for many years been a well kept secret in Waipu, although you can talk to older folk in the area who regularly walked the coastal route from Langs Beach to Waipu Cove in their youth.

Magnificent coastal views, a small rocky beach, interesting limestone rocks, native coastal bush, great fishing and picnic spots. Allow 1.5 hours one way. for a quick transit but it warrants a more leisurely approach for rests, views, and photos and the return trip.

Read more

Join Critical Mass Cycling in Whangarei

After a winter break Critical Mass is coming back to Whangarei:

Critical Mass is a celebration of cycling. It is a collective and a colourful cycling festival that takes place in over 300 cities around the world on the last Friday of each month. An infectious, international social movement that articulates issues around transport, cycling, safety and sustainability.

CRITICAL MASS IS NOT AN ORGANISATION; Critical Mass is a spontaneous, leaderless bicycle ride that occurs on the last Friday of every month in almost every major city in the world. It is regarded by many participants as celebrations of self-powered transportation as opposed to a protest or organised demonstration.

There is going to be music, fancy dress (circus theme) and loads of fun. Together we’ll make our way through the streets of Whangarei.

Join us on Friday the 30th of September at 5.30pm in front of the old Library.

You will never bike alone!!!

http://www.criticalmass.org.nz/

Lets get a safe cycle and pedestrian access Waipu to Waipu Cove

“We need to move beyond talking to starting to take some action” That was the sentiment at the January meeting of the Waipu Residents and Ratepayers meeting. Chairperson Rosemary Neave said:

“At almost every meeting the issue is raised regarding safe passage for cyclists and pedestrians between Waipu and Waipu Cove and between Waipu and the Boat Club on Nova Scotia Drive”.

Mayor Morris Cutforth and Deputy Mayor and local councillor Phil Halse have both indicated support in principle, but the WRRA feels that we need to get beyond talking about it, and start making some progress, and allocating some money towards a formal feasability study. Read more