Top of the North Walks and Tracks

Golden Stairs Walkway – Length: 8km Time: 4-5 hours return

This walks name comes from a section near the end of the track where a descent is lined by golden grassy humps. The track follows the shoreline before climbing up a slope of the hills which line the harbour. Trampers will be rewarded with views over the harbour entrance and Tasman Sea from the top of the ridge. The remains of the paddle steamer Gaelong wrecked in 1879 can sometimes be seen at low tide.

Ahipara Gumlands – This wild and remote area was once a hive of activity during the gum digging days of a late 19 th and early 20 th century. A number of relics remain from these days, and visitors are also able to enjoy some spectacular views of sand dunes. The surviving remnants of the kauri gum industry consists of over 250 hectares of prepared trenches, dams, aqueducts, processing areas and an old gumdiggers shack. Gum digging occurred right up to the 1960s-70s.