Blog Day 8/9: Pakiri to Tomarata and onto Mangawhai Heads via Te Arai Point

Miles Hadley

Saturday 18th June 2016
Day 8/9– Pakiri to Tomarata and onto Mangawhai Heads via Te Arai Point

X km (approximately), X hours including a few stops and a 45 minute lunch break

My kind host dropped me off from his pick up at the Pakiri block road. It was starting to drizzle a bit as I made my way to Tomarata past a lot of farms.
The scenery around Tomarata reminded me of parts of north east Scotland. I looked for St Francis in the Fields Church but unfortunately could not find it. I then carried on school road which was steep and windy until I reached Tomarata valley road, the ocean view road, then bushridge road. Eventually I reached Te Arai point which is a stunning beach full of surfers catching the waves. I stopped and ate some sandwiches that my kind host had made for me and then continued up the beach road until I reached a forestry block and turned left onto Pacific road. (See picture 1)

I passed the very exclusive Tara iti golf course and then onto black swamp road. I then went onwards to Mangawhai, past the more modern Christ the King Church. I had even further to walk in order to get to Mangawhai Heads where a lovely, well appointed cabin awaited at the Mangawhai Heads holiday park. The dunes at Mangawhai heads were directly opposite the cabin (See picture2) When it comes to shops, Mangawhai heads has the basics such as a small supermarket, a few takeaway places and a bar.