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Mount Manaia Track

Mount Manaia towers 403 metres above the harbour entrance.  Mount Manaia is  a cluster of majestic, jagged, bush-covered hills, the remnants of volcanic action. Spectacular coastal and harbour views including the Hen and Chicken Islands. It's a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

A cluster of jagged hill - view from the carpark

These sculptures standing at the entrance of track welcome our coming

一位熱心的Kiwi為我們拍合照 這位熱心的Kiwi介紹一條很棒的side walk  並會在那裡做標記  真是感謝!

The track is wider, level and stone chipped the whole way and also has a couple new footbridges and boardwalks. It would be suitable for many people to walk.

giant trees along the track

About halfway to the top, tan impressive stand of large tree ferns.  The fronds they shed are creating interesting displays. 

many stairs. It's said that the total up to 1048 steps.

Marsden Point Oil Refinery viewed from  forest window

那位熱心的Kiwi為我們做的標記

It's really an excellent Lookout

The rocky pinnalces above Mt Manaia are weathered and eroded remnants of the steep upper  flankd of the former Manaia volcano. Manaia volcano, a large stratovolcnao,  was likely more than 1000 m high. That's well over twice the height of Manaia today (403m).

一有高峰突岩  毛利人就會編故事:

Legend has it that Hautatu, a chief who lived on the opposite side of the harbour entrance, crossed the water and was chasing after his wife Pito and two children who had been taken captive by Manaia, the paramount chief of Whangarei, when all five were struck by lightning and turned into the rock outcrops visible at the summit.

Marsden Point Oil Refinery

Hen and Chicken Islands in the distance

track along the high cliffs

gap

viewing deck at the  summit

spectacular rock outcrops at the summit and nearby

walking further to explore more...

the way up to Trig

magnificent rock spires

Yanni - A WALK IN THE RAIN