Rata Trail$81.00

Rata Trail Journey

The Rata Trail trip is comprised of 10 legs.

1 Aqua Taxi from Marahau & Kaiteriteri to Torrent & Anchorage Bay



You will pass several off-shore islands which provide a protected habitat for native wildlife. This stretch of water is called the Astrolabe Roadstead named by Dumont Durville. Roadstead was a term early seafarers used to describe safe sheltered waters. Heading North watch out for the Anchorage navigational marker before you turn in and see the beautiful expanse of Anchorage and Torrent Bay ahead of you.

Places of interest: Kaiteriteri, Aqua Taxi Marahau Base, Aqua Taxi Kaiteriteri Base, Marahau, Split Apple Rock, Anchorage, Te Pukeatea Bay, Adele Island, Fisherman Island, Torrent Bay

2 Aqua Taxi from Torrent & Anchorage Bay to Bark Bay



This stretch of coastline can only be viewed from the water. You will see lots of interesting rocky outcrops and rock formations. Sandfly Bay and Falls River are beautiful spots. On a high tide (and time dependent) you can go up Falls River and see the people walking across the Swing Bridge.

Places of interest: Anchorage, Torrent Bay, Bark Bay

3 Aqua Taxi from Bark Bay to Tonga



You enter the start of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve as you exit Bark Bay heading North. You will see Tonga Island prominent in the distance which has the largest Seal population in the park. All of our boats hold a marine mammal viewing permit - so we can view all marine life from a distance of 20 metres. We stop at Tonga Island and spend time viewing the seals.

Places of interest: Onetahuti Beach, Tonga Island

4 Aqua Taxi from Tonga to Awaroa



You will see a lot of interesting eroded granite take note of the colours caused by iron oxide and granite. Pass the inlet for Shag Harbour mostly accessible by kayak on a high tide. Look out for a huge round boulder similar to split apple rock - (estimated the size of a small house) sitting out on its own in the azure waters. Before heading North into Awaroa you come to the end of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve.

Places of interest: Onetahuti Beach, Tonga Island, Awaroa Beach

5 Aqua Taxi from Awaroa to Totaranui

Forest and sea look like they merge on this coastal section. Crossing the large open bay that joins Totaranui and Awaroa you will see what looks like endless long golden beaches.

Places of interest: Awaroa Beach, Totaranui Beach

6 Walk from Totaranui to Awaroa



This section is 1.5 hrs and 5.5 kms in length. The Awaroa inlet can only be crossed at low tide, up to one and a half hours before low tide and p to two hours after it. At Totaranui there is a small Department of Conservation visitor centre and the largest campground in the park.

Places of interest: Awaroa Lodge, Awaroa Beach, Totaranui Beach

7 Aqua Taxi return journey from Awaroa to Tonga

8 Aqua Taxi return journey from Tonga to Bark Bay

9 Aqua Taxi return journey from Bark Bay to Torrent & Anchorage Bay

10 Aqua Taxi return journey from Torrent & Anchorage Bay to Marahau & Kaiteriteri