Are you interested in what the Rings Beach Wetland Group does?
The walking track in the Matarangi Bluff Scenic Reserve was built almost entirely by volunteers
A quite amazing feat considering that the track is almost 5km in length and passes through some very challenging terrain.
Getting There
The Matarangi Bluff Scenic Reserve is nestled between the coastal communities of Matarangi, Rings Beach and Kuaotunu.
There are three entrances to the walking track, all of which are on Bluff Road which can be accessed from State Highway 25 in Kuaotunu West.
One entrance is in Matarangi, and the other two are close to the the east and west carparks at the Rings Beach end of Bluff Road.
A Track for All Levels of Fitness
The walking track is well defined and passes through regenerating natives (including many kauri planted by Kauri 2000) and wetlands.
There are some stairs to be climbed, and in the wetland there are some narrow crossings. It is suited to walkers of all levels with fairly easy gradients and only a few steeper sections.
It takes between 1.5 hours and 2 hours to walk the whole track, with an additional 40 minutes to complete the wetland loop.
Take the Time to Enjoy the View
A shorter walk (15-20 mins) is possible up the ridge from the Matarangi side to an elevated cellphone tower with peninsula views and then on to Rings Beach.
There are several seats in the reserve, all of which were built by Ian Patrick, a Matarangi resident who has been a member of the group from the early days.
A similar shorter walk follows the coast around the reserve between Matarangi and Rings Beach and also offers beautiful sea views.
Save Our Kauri Forests
To prevent kauri dieback disease from devastating the thousands of kauri trees that have been planted by Kauri 2000 in the reserve, cleaning stations have been positioned at each entrance.
Please use them on the way in and also on the way out, and do your bit to prevent kauri dieback disease.
Taking Your Dog Along?
With the recent confirmation that kiwi are once again living in the reserve, the Rings Beach Wetland Group respectfully requests that all dogs are kept on a lead at all time while in the reserve.
Kiwis have a very powerful scent that is irresistible to even the most well-mannered dog. Because they do not have a breastplate, even being picked up and given a single shake by a small dog is usually fatal, no matter how soft the bite.
The Project Kiwi Trust runs kiwi aversion training courses at the beginning of the summer which help teach your dog to avoid kiwi.
Learn as You Walk
As you walk around the wetland loop, you can learn about the unique species that have been planted in the bush through more than 40 botanical labels installed by the Rings Beach Wetland Group. They highlight unique facts about each plant such as projected height, leaf shape and more. Look out for even more labels added in the near future.
You can also learn about the Kauri 2000 planting programme with signage installed particularly along the Vodafone track. Please remember the importance of staying on the track so as not to disturb kauri roots in order to protect the trees from kauri dieback disease.
