Time to hot foot it around history sites

Years of hard graft and more than 360 working bees will finally pay off this weekend with the opening of a walkway linking some of Northland's most historic and scenic locations.

Completion of the 8.2km off-road track from Okiato (where the Opua ferry berths) to Russell by the volunteers of the Bay of Islands Walkways Trust means it is now possible to walk an 18km, five-hour loop around the inner Bay of Islands.

Walkers starting in Paihia, for example, can follow the existing Paihia-Opua Coastal Walkway, catch the car ferry to Okiato, hike the Okiato-Russell track, and finally catch a passenger ferry back to Paihia.

Bay of Islands Walkways Trust secretary Margaret Pasco said it was a relief the work was finally over and the walking could finally begin.

"Now we can enjoy the walk. Doing the full circle gives you a real variety - there's old bush, regenerating bush, beaches, mangroves and boardwalks."

The walkway also passed places of historic interest such as Okiato, site of the original capital, and former manganese mines. Wildlife along the route included kiwi, fernbirds, weka and the odd white heron.

Mrs Pasco said the project was started in 2003 by the Bay of Islands Rotary Club.

As more volunteers came on board, a separate trust was formed, with materials paid for by the ASB Community Trust, Lotteries Grants Board, the Government's Enhanced Access Fund, Enterprise Russell and private donations. The Department of Conservation also built a section through Hirst Reserve.

Saturday's opening would create a unique attraction with great scope for developing future tourist activities based on wetlands, bush, beach and boardwalks against a backdrop of the beautiful Bay of Islands.

The official opening of the Orongo Bay to Russell track, the fourth and final stage of the walkway from Okiato to Russell, is at 11am on Saturday at Orongo Bay Homestead on Aucks Rd, Orongo Bay. Far North Mayor Wayne Brown will officiate, while guests will be able to explore the nearby boardwalk. Walking from Okiato to Orongo Bay takes about 90 minutes with some steep sections; Russell Wharf to Orongo Bay is also 90 minutes but mostly flat. Walkers are welcome to picnic in the homestead's historic grounds. For details, see www.boiwalkways.co.nz