We arrived yesterday at the Waterlea Racecourse in Blenhiem, sunny and warm with a light breeze. Once parked up it was into the town for supplies. The night was a windy one with wind gusting up to 70kph, however we woke to a cooler day, high cloud but expecting a high of 18°C.

While having a cup of tea, we start looking for a place to get some exercise and Jude found a track called Black Jacks Track at Whites Bay just up and over the hill from Rarangi. Cup of tea finished, bikes moved from the Jimny to the Moho, it was off to Whites Bay.

Our Previous Visit

Last time we were here it was mid-summer and from Rarangi we rode our bikes to Waikutakuta/Robin Hood Bay, and boy was that a hard ride. The start was straight in to a very steep road winding its way up to 200 vertical meters in 2kms, yep remember it well because by the time we got to the top our legs were knackered from the effort and what made it worse was we still had 8kms to go and another 180 meter climb to reach Robin Hood Bay. After a camp lunch and a swim in the very cold water which was quite refreshing actually, we knew we would have to dig deep to ride out… yep that was a big day…. Yes it was only 18kms total but all I can say is the views and achievement was worth the effort.

Now Back To Black Jacks Track

We arrived Whites Bay at 1030hrs put walking packs and boots on, hiking poles adjusted and it was off to start the climb. Fortunately it had not rained for sometime so the track was reasonably firm. The track starting at sea level climbs consistently for 2kms to a height of 218 meters to the lookout where there is some amazing views

Reaching the lookout after an easy 36min climb the view from there of Horahora Kakahu Island and the Southwest corner of the North Island is quite impressive. We rested for a while taking in the view.

Landmarks of what we spotted from the lookout using Peak Finder App.
Jude enjoys a rest while taking in the view from the lookout.
Looking around the lookout it was obvious that the view was just too much for some species to handle and unfortunately decided to enter the promise land… well either that or he was just playing possum?

With the track being a loop the best part of the track was always the walk back down and it was a gentle grade back down to Whites Bay. There were few views on the way down, however the Weka’s are always entertaining as we had a wee standoff with one coming towards us on the track. The little fella didn’t seem too disturbed about us being in his way, we stopped walking, remained quiet while he come toward us stopping just a meter off Jude, assessed his options of should he go bush to avoid us or will we step aside to let him pass… he lost!😁

We highly recommend this walk as it is not a long walk (4km total) has a gradual climb up a well groomed track and an easy decent.

A view looking back toward Rarangi on our way back down to Whites Bay.

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