Headlands Track

Headlands Track is a short coastal loop over the wooded headland above Tōtaranui. The beach-to-beach route mapped here is 3.8 km (2.4 miles) and usually takes about 1¼ hours. It starts and finishes at the north end of Tōtaranui Beach, climbing onto the ridge and returning around the estuary. The current DOC page lists a 1.6 km, one-hour loop; the complete beach-to-beach line measured for this route is 3.84 km. Those figures appear to describe different extents, and the published directions don't explain the gap. This entry maps the longer low-tide circuit.

At the northern end of Tōtaranui Beach, the short access crosses a small estuary at low tide. Once up from the beach, go right for the quicker climb through forest to the headland. At high water, the longer alternative goes around the back of the campground by track and road; its added distance isn't published, so it isn't included in the 3.8 km above. DOC's directions also describe reaching the loop from the Coast Track. Check the tide before choosing your start.

The path dips and rises through native forest, then crosses the ridge and curves west and south as the canopy opens to more views of the beach. A small seat gives a glimpse south toward Tōtaranui Beach and Awaroa. DOC describes dense beech regeneration on the infertile ridges, where drought stress and past dieback shaped the forest, and taller beech mixed with large, intertwined northern rātā on better soils. Weka may move across the track, while kererū and tūī are sometimes seen in the canopy. At the seat, a little foliage around the beach view makes a better frame than pointing straight out at the water.

Dogs aren't allowed. Tōtaranui tap water is filtered, but natural water can contain giardia and needs treatment. Wasps are more common from December through April; if you're allergic to stings, DOC advises carrying antihistamine. No trail-side amenities are listed, and day visitors need to take their rubbish out.