ECHO Walking Festival

Walks Calendar

8-21 April 2024

REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN

Walk / Cycle Track Grading:

1 - Suitable for most walkers/cyclists.

3 - Includes short steep or rough sections. Moderate fitness level required.

5 - Challenging steep sections, rough areas or river crossings. A high level of fitness required.

Weather:

This festival is centered around the outdoors, but unfortunately the weather isn't always on our side. If any event is postponed due to weather, every Endeavour will be made to reschedule the walk or event.

Kauri Dieback Information:

With the Kauri Dieback situation some walks may be affected. Please keep an eye on our website for details and further updates. We ask all participants to please make sure they clean their shoes and boots, walking sticks and anything else that comes into contact with the ground before entering and as you come out of the bush. Go to www.kauridieback.co.nz for details.

Payment information:

Please make payment at time of booking to secure your spot, in the event of a cancellation we would then refund you. You will be directed to the page for payment at the time of registration. 

Date Walk / Run / Cycle Location Grade
28 -

Date: Mon Apr 8, 2024
2024

Walk

Union Hill Walk

Meet at the George St car park by the Gilmour reserve at 10am.  We will take a walk through Gilmour reserve - Tunnellers Memorial, Pike River 29 Miners Rest, development... DETAILS

Location: Waihi

1-2 -

Grade: 1-2

27 -

Date: Tue Apr 9, 2024
2024

Walk

Kauri Walk to Dickey Flat

Enjoy the beautiful settings along the Dean and Mangakino Pack tracks to where the Mangakino Stream and Waitawheta River converge. Tramp along the Waitawheta River (writhing serpent) discover the few... DETAILS

Location: Waihi

3-4 -

Grade: 3-4

26 -

Date: Tue Apr 9, 2024
2024

Walk

Wires Track Loop

Discover the remnants of the Waihi Beach section of the Old Wires Track as it came via Waihi Beach and connected telegraphic communication between Auckland and Wellington.  The track follows... DETAILS

Location: Waihi Beach

4-0 -

Grade: 4

25 -

Date: Wed Apr 10, 2024
2024

Walk

A walk through Martha mine pit fence

OceanaGold is offering a walk inside the Martha mine pit fence, around our perimeter road. Get views of the Martha mine like never before. We will stop off and take... DETAILS

Location: Waihi

2-0 -

Grade: 2

24 -

Date: Wed Apr 10, 2024
2024

Walk

Waitekohekohe Reserve and swim

Sorry, this event has been CANCELLED.

This recreational reserve opened to the public in November 2022. Official Opening 4th March 2023. Containing dedicated mountain bike trails, walking and horse tracks, the team at Project Parore have... DETAILS

Location: Katikati

2-0 -

Grade: 2

23 -

Date: Thu Apr 11, 2024
2024

Kayak

Beach to Whenuakura Island Tour

Ocean kayaking to Whenuakura Island.  Our guides for the day are from Surfsup NZ. A short kayak to Whenuakura (Donut) Island will be rewarded with unforgettable and breathtaking scenery that inspires... DETAILS

Location: Whangamata

1-2 -

Grade: 1-2

22 -

Date: Fri Apr 12, 2024
2024

Walk

Discovery Mine & Orokawa Loop Track

Passing the site of the Discovery Mine we learn about this little known early mining venture at Waihi Beach before continuing up the Waihi Beach Stream. We cross the stream... DETAILS

Location: Waihi Beach

4-0 -

Grade: 4

21 -

Date: Fri Apr 12, 2024
2024

Walk

Wharf Street River Boat Cruise to Historical Maritime Park & Museum 11.30am

We meet at Wharf St in Paeroa, which we can look at the new purpose-built community jetty on the Ohinemuri River. We then Board Kiteawa cruise boat going along the... DETAILS

Location: Paeroa

1-0 -

Grade: 1

20 -

Date: Fri Apr 12, 2024
2024

Walk

Wharf Street to Historical Maritime Park & Museum and River Boat Cruise 9am

We meet at Wharf St in Paeroa, which we can look at the new purpose-built community jetty on the Ohinemuri River. We will then walk on the Hauraki Rail trail... DETAILS

Location: Paeroa

1-0 -

Grade: 1

19 -

Date: Sat Apr 13, 2024
2024

Walk

Mount Karangahake Summit Walk

The Mount Karangahake walk is a walk around 9km.  The walk starts on the gorge floor and finishes at the summit of Mount Karangahake, over 500 metres above the Waitawheta... DETAILS

Location: Waihi

4-0 -

Grade: 4

18 -

Date: Sat Apr 13, 2024
2024

Walk

Pinnacles Walk

This popular walk leads to the Pinnacles Hut and on to the summit of the Pinnacles with spectacular views of the Coromandel Peninsula. We follow an historic packhorse route used... DETAILS

Location: Thames

4-5 -

Grade: 4-5

17 -

Date: Sat Apr 13, 2024
2024

Walk

Pūkorokoro Shorebird Centre

At the Shorebird Centre we welcome visitors to come and explore the fascinating world of shorebirds with us. Visit the Shorebird Centre to learn about the birds then head 2km... DETAILS

Location: Ngatea

1-0 -

Grade: 1

16 -

Date: Sat Apr 13, 2024
2024

Walk

Tuhua Mayor Island Short Walk FULLY BOOKED

Tuhua Mayor Island Short Walk - FULLY BOOKED The Devil’s staircase 3.5 hours round trip.  This more challenging route takes in part of the crater rim. Follow the track leading... DETAILS

Location: Katikati

5-0 -

Grade: 5

15 -

Date: Sun Apr 14, 2024
2024

Walk

Kirikiri Battery Tramp

Kirikiri Battery Tramp Meet in the car park on Neavesville Road, at the end of the road up the valley. (Be-aware of some storm damage on road)  Some big Kauris... DETAILS

Location: Thames

3-4 -

Grade: 3-4

14 -

Date: Sun Apr 14, 2024
2024

Walk

Waihi Beach North End Mining History

Discover the history of Waihi Beach Gold Mining and the Treasure Island Reef.  Our guide is from the Robinson family and has a wealth of knowledge and has some fascinating... DETAILS

Location: Waihi Beach

3-0 -

Grade: 3

13 -

Date: Sun Apr 14, 2024
2024

Walk

Waihi Cemetery Walk Wonderful Waihi Women

Guided Waihi Cemetery Walk with Waihi Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists. The theme - “Wonderful Waihi Women”.  A guided walk telling the stories of some of the... DETAILS

Location: Waihi

1-0 -

Grade: 1

12 -

Date: Mon Apr 15, 2024
2024

Walk

Te Kura a Maia

Reon Tuanau of Te Whānau a Tauwhao will greet you at the lower Waipaopao (Anzac Bay) carpark near the public restrooms.  We start by setting off for the upper car... DETAILS

Location: Waihi Beach

2-3 -

Grade: 2-3

11 -

Date: Tue Apr 16, 2024
2024

Walk

2024 ECHO survival experience

You will be learning about SURVIVAL. The first part of the session is the study of survival theory in a variety of situations. To make this information more meaningful we... DETAILS

Location: Waihi

2-3 -

Grade: 2-3

10 -

Date: Tue Apr 16, 2024
2024

Walk

Lindemann Loop

Lindemann Road. Turn off State highway 2, one km north of Katikati.  At the end of the road (3.2km from SH2) there is a carpark, lookout platform and toilets.  To... DETAILS

Location: Katikati

4-0 -

Grade: 4

09 -

Date: Wed Apr 17, 2024
2024

Walk

Homunga Bay to Waihi Beach

From Waihi Beach, transport will take you to the start of the walk, high above Homunga Bay.  From there the walk follows the coastline, skirting headlands, cliffs and passing through... DETAILS

Location: Waihi Beach

3-4 -

Grade: 3-4

08 -

Date: Wed Apr 17, 2024
2024

Walk

Pylon Peak and Waiorongomai Valley

Pylon Peak Track is so named because of power pylon remnants from a line connecting the old early 1900’s Horahora hydro-electric power station with the gold mines in Waihi and... DETAILS

Location: Te Aroha

5-0 -

Grade: 5

07 -

Date: Thu Apr 18, 2024
2024

Walk

Luck At Last

Luck at Last Goldmine.  You might not find any gold, but if you like an adventure, then your luck will surely be in! The track to the Luck at Last... DETAILS

Location: Whangamata

2-0 -

Grade: 2

06 -

Date: Thu Apr 18, 2024
2024

Walk

Waitekohekohe Reserve and swim

Sorry, this event has been CANCELLED.

This recreational reserve opened to the public in November 2022. Official Opening 4th March 2023. Containing dedicated mountain bike trails, walking and horse tracks, the team at Project Parore have... DETAILS

Location: Katikati

2-0 -

Grade: 2

05 -

Date: Fri Apr 19, 2024
2024

Walk

Tararu Creek Battery sites

Walk, following the road, from Dickson Holiday Park car park to the Sylvia battery, visiting six sites: Bleazard’s, Brown and Campbell’s, Flora McDonald, Russell’s,  Wild Missouri and the Sylvia battery... DETAILS

Location: Thames

1-0 -

Grade: 1

04 -

Date: Fri Apr 19, 2024
2024

Walk

Waiorongomai Wander

Join in this leisurely walk around Waiorongomai Low Level Loop and learn about the history and flora of this old gold mining area.  With mining relics, regenerating bush and a... DETAILS

Location: Te Aroha

2-0 -

Grade: 2

03 -

Date: Sat Apr 20, 2024
2024

Walk

Aongatete Short Loop Track and Nature Trail Loop Includes swimming hole

At the 5 way junction, turn left, following the sign that indicates the Short and Long loops. After 15 minutes you will turn left for the short loop. The track... DETAILS

Location: Katikati

2-0 -

Grade: 2

02 -

Date: Sat Apr 20, 2024
2024

Walk

Maratoto Wires Track

The Wires Track is named after the telephone line which used to run through the Maratoto. Remnants of these old telephone poles can be seen along the track, as can... DETAILS

Location: Thames

3-4 -

Grade: 3-4

01 -

Date: Sun Apr 21, 2024
2024

Walk

Halls Arboretum

As part of Echo Walking Festival and National Archaeology Week, local archaeologist Dave Wilton, of The Treasury, will guide a walk around the historiclocations of Hall’s Arboretum (established 1870s) and... DETAILS

Location: Thames

1-0 -

Grade: 1

00 -

Date: Sun Apr 21, 2024
2024

Walk

Orokawa Trig Walk

The Orokawa Trig site offers expansive views across the Bay of Plenty and down to beautiful Orokawa Beach.  Rich in history, the walk starts by criss crossing the stunning Waihi... DETAILS

Location: Waihi Beach

4-0 -

Grade: 4

Health and Safety

For your health and safety please:

  • Wear suitable shoes/boots and clothing.
  • Register for all walks at least three days prior to the walk and declare any medical conditions/medication when you register.
  • Bring your own wet weather gear.
  • Bring a water bottle, snack food, and any medication needed for all walks. For longer walks, please be prepared to bring lunch, a first aid kit and a torch.
  • Stay with the group and follow any instructions given by your walk leader.

Download Health and Safety Plan