Mana Bay- Patea river and beach

Starting at the toilets run East down SH3 past the Dairy on the right and turn left onto York street just before you reach Patea river. York street ends in the start of the Patea river walkway. This is a partly single track/4WDish track along the river and is partly sandy and grass.

There are information signs about the ruins of a cheese factory, meat works, woolsheds, Marae, and Redoubts along the pathway. Follow this pathway for about 1.5km until you reach the mouth of the river where you come to Mana Bay.

Carry on down onto the beach to the right and follow the beach as far as you can go. At the start of the beach near the river mouth is the wreck of the SS Waitangi that was wreaked on 5th May 2023 after damage sustained while crossing the river bar. She is sometimes covered by sand and sometimes visible.

At low tide the run along the hard sand beach will be about 2km from Mana Bay. Return along the beach with great views of the Waipipi Windfarm.

When you get back to Mana bay turn left and climb the sand dune tracks to the top of the hill for panoramic views of the windfarm, river, and coastline. Continue North along the hills until you have to exit onto Egmont Street.

This goes alongside the Patea Golf course and is a pleasant 2km road run back up to the toilets.