Atua Stream Walk

Name
Atua Stream
Location
Marahau
Co-ordinates
1598268  5455392
Alternative co-ordinates
 
Configuration
Loop
Distance
1.5 km
Status
Off-leash
Grade
Moderate
Access
Ca. 1 km north of Riwaka, turn right onto Sandy Bay Road, towards Marahau. Walk starts after ca 1 km, at small parking area on right. Look out for 'Track' sign.
Description
A community-developed walk, giving an intimate experience of the bush in the upper reaches of the small Atua Stream. Some pleasant picnic spots, and the walk is long enough, and the terrain challenging enough, to work up an appetite. 
Connecting tracks
 
Further information
 
This walkway on Sandy Bay Road, between Riwaka and Marahau, is one of those little surprises that we sometimes stumble across: the result, one guesses, of personal endeavour by a group of public-spirited people who just felt that there was an opportunity here to create a walk for anyone who happened to be passing. In a country so devoid of country walks, it's a welcome initiative.

​The start of the walk is hidden away at the back of a pull-off, about half-way up the steep and winding road over Marahau Hill. From there, it's an easy path obliquely downhill, through pleasant coastal bush, to a stream, which it then crosses via a small bridge. Soon after that, it forks by a small information sign, from where it forms a steeper loop around the short valley head. Tackling it clockwise is probably preferable, for the climb is somewhat easier in that direction - up to a little picnic area initially, then round the head of the gully, before descending again to the information board. 

The whole walk takes about 30 minutes, and the steeper sections provide a moderate workout, though the going is never difficult. There are streams for the dogs to drink from, and here and there you'll find labels for the trees and bushes to help improve your botanical skills. You may also encounter some feral chicken on the access section - so if your dog is like ours and regards such things as a free lunch, keep it under control. So, while it's not an exceptional place to go, it's worth it - if only to repay the effort someone hasd put into making the walkway for others to enjoy.
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