Ngunguru Old coach road approximately 15 kilometres from Whangarei you can either do this ride as a one-way ride starting at Scow landing and finishing in Ngunguru, (this requires a vehicle to be left at Ngunguru), or turn it into a loop, starting at either Ngunguru or Scow landing.
If starting from the Scow landing end there is parking a few hundred metres up Waipoka Road. Turn left off Ngunguru road as you head towards the coast immediately after a bridge crossing the Ngunguru River into Waipoka Road. Alternatively, you can park on the right at Scow Landing and cross Ngunguru road and head up Waipoka road. It is an uphill gravel road to the end. At the end of the road, a track heads off to the right, it is signposted. From here it is a gentle climb to the end of the trail. You pop out onto a gravel road, (Old Kaiatea Road). Follow this downhill to the Kaiatea Road intersection. Turn left onto the sealed road and follow this up until To Te Toiora Road on your right. Another gravel road, follow this along and down all the way to Waiotoi Road and into Ngunguru. If you are finishing here you can grab a coffee at the café, fish and chips, or a swim in the estuary. Otherwise, head back towards Whangarei along the sealed road to Scow landing.
- Start @ Waipoka Road
- View near the top
Distance: 15km one way or 24km if you do the whole loop.
Surface: Gravel, some clay
Time: 1 – 2 hours