📌Aranga Beach to Hokianga - coastal (2 nights)

Join us from Friday, 18th December to Sunday. 20th December for an incredible three-day coastal adventure along the wild shoreline between Kai Iwi Lakes and the Hokianga Harbour. Starting from Aranga Beach, we will trek north along a remote stretch of coastline with no road access, wild-camping under the stars each night before reaching our final destination in Omapere.

The journey kicks off with a shorter first day featuring a climb up the dominant Maunganui Bluff, followed by a gentle descent to a sheltered campsite. From there, the route levels out into easy, scenic coastal walking along mainly untouched shores, finishing on the final day with a few small rolling hills as we approach Hokianga Harbour.
The track was formally known as the 'Hokianga Kai iwi coastal track', but now is only recognized as two separate tracks at the two end parts of this route.

For those who prefer to arrive at Omapere (Hokianga harbour) a day earlier, on Thursday, then there is the option to stay at Globe trekkers Lodge in Omapere. Our departure location in is Omapere School, and this is also where we park our cars while we are hiking.

Please note that this trip is strictly for fit and capable hikers; if you are a slow walker, please do not RSVP. While group regulars are given priority, newcomers who are fit and experienced are highly welcome to join.
Numbers are limited by the charter bus which has a maximum capacity of 20 seats.
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🚩Summary of details:
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📌Map of the hike: https://tinyurl.com/2fs8jhac
📌Time taken: 3 days 2 nights
📌Distance: 41km
📌Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale: 3.5
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🚩Transport: Drivers & passengers will need to coordinate pick up time and place on Friday departing Auckland. Please allow for traffic and pickup time. You will need to arrive at Omapere on or before 12:00 on Friday. Our charter bus departs Omapere at 13:00, so there should be time to have lunch before we go. If you are a passenger you will need to give $75 to your driver, if there are 2 passengers then give $50 each to your driver. To be fair on other drivers please do not fill your car up with more than two passengers.

Drivers will need to leave their cars in Omapere for 2 nights.
Secure parking has been arranged at the local Omapere school, and in return we will need to give a 'donation'. Everyone will need to contribute the same amount of $15, whether you are a passenger or driver.

🚩These are the 4 important stopping points:
👉1) Ōmāpere Area School
(Where we secure park, depart on bus, and finish hike)
https://tinyurl.com/5n8cp8y3

👉2) Globetrekkers lodge, 281 State Highway 12, Ōmāpere
(Where we stay optionally on Thursday night)
https://tinyurl.com/4t8avz4r

👉3) Maunganui Bluff Track, 2 Aranga Beach Rd, Aranga
(Where the charter bus will take us to the start our multi day hike)
https://tinyurl.com/2af73t8a

👉4) The Sands Hotel Hokianga, 334 Hokianga Harbour Drive, Ōmāpere
(Where we have after hike snacks & drinks)
https://tinyurl.com/45xx8uvf
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🚩Timeline (Times are a guidline)
📌 Thursday: It is optional to arrive in Omapere and stay at Globetrekkers lodge, otherwise you will need to arrive by midday on Friday.

📌 Friday:
8:30 Approx leave Auckland
11:00 Low tide (18th Dec)
12:00 Arrive at Ōmāpere Area School & have lunch
13:00 Park cars & take charter bus
14:15 Charter bus arrives at Aranga beach
17:00 Approx find camp spot on beach
20:39 Sunset
Drivers need to determine what time to leave

📌Saturday:
06:07 Sunrise
08:00 Start hike
12:04 Low tide (19th Dec)
14:00 Approx find camp spot
20:40 Sunset

📌Sunday:
06:08 Sunrise
07:45 Start hike
12:30 Approx finish
13:09 Low tide (20th Dec)
14:15 Back at Ōmāpere Area School
14:30 Drive to Pub/cafe
15:30 Approx Leave Cafe
19:00 Approx back in Auckland

Accommodation: We will be camping on the route for two nights (Friday and Saturday), so you will need to bring a tent, stove, and sleeping gear—though you are welcome to pre-arrange a team up with others to share equipment weight. If you would like to arrive a day early, there is also an option to stay at Globe trekkers Lodge in Ōmāpere on Thursday night; please indicate in your RSVP answers if you will be joining us for Thursday night accommodation.

❌ Important!!!: please bring enough water with you on the first day as clean drinking water is not guaranteed. Subsequent camping spots should have adequate drinking water.

🚩Check list of Gear: https://tinyurl.com/2tweue93

🚩Costs:
$75 if car pool passenger (based on 15c/km)
$40 for Charter bus
$15 Secure parking while away
$130 Total (more if buying food & drinks)

🚩 Payment: You will need make payment for the charter bus and secure parking of $55 by 24th November. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Please write 'Hokianga' & your reference name that is the same as your Meetup name, so I can identify you.

🍔🍗🍷 Optional group snacks and drinks on Sunday at The Sands Restaurant & Bar, Omapere

🚩Please answer the 4 RSVP questions:
https://tinyurl.com/5n7ud5h4