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Massive secret swimmable Lagoon!!
Category

Activity

Est. Duration

1-2h

Also

Hike

Message from New Zealand Adventures

🌿 Enjoy a Coastal Walk to a huge secret mermaid pool! 🌿

🏞️ Easy 1 -2hr return walk with stunning coastal views. (3.4km return)

🏝️ The blue lagoon is at the end of the track & is a scramble rock climb down. Only go at low tide.

🚶‍♂️ Start at Whananaki village on the east coast, signposted from Rockell Bay Road

🚗 Limited roadside parking, so be careful when parking

🧗‍♂️ This secret lagoon is known to the locals as 'Harry’s Lagoon' after a bull fell down into it from the paddocks above and had to be winched out. This was around the 1950's and made the local newspaper! (We have a copy of the article if you'd like to see it)

👣 What to Expect:

🌾 First part of the track passes through private farmland and a campground (no dogs)

🏖️ Secluded beaches and great spots for fishing and diving once you’re in the reserve

🧗 The pool requires some 'rock climbing' to reach, please take your time and be careful.

Hint: (For the advanced adventurers):

🌊 There’s a deep rock pool towards the sea edge of the lagoon — locals jump off a tall rock in the rockpool (if safe to do so).
🗺️ You can see the lagoon very clearly using Google Maps, so you can follow the track and use Google Maps also as your guide.
🐝 Wasps and wasp nests may be present in this area.
🚪 Leave gates as you find them, leave only footprints.
📜 Northland reserve bylaws apply to Motutara Recreation Reserve.

💬 Let us know if you make it to the lagoon and what you find! :) Tag us in your pix!

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