Horse Riding
Riding on horseback in the Western Bay will take you to some awesome places.
Check out these spots where horse riding is allowed. Please respect the code of conduct so that everyone can be safe and enjoy their ride.
Where you can ride horses
Waihi Beach - Athenree Estuary
From the 2nd Thursday of February in each year to the 3rd Wednesday in December of the same year horses may be ridden on the signposted loop trail from Albacore Ave to Pio Road, across to Athenree Estuary and thereafter following the existing walkway/cycleway to exit via the mown firebreak adjacent to the houses at Island View. Note: no horses may be ridden or led in the dunes anywhere.
Waihī Beach - Three Mile Creek
From the 2nd Thursday of February in each year to the 3rd Wednesday in December of the same year, horses may be ridden north along Waihi Beach from from Albacore Ave to the Three Mile Creek access. Note: no horses may be ridden or lead in the dunes anywhere.
Tuapiro Point
Horse floats/trucks are permitted to be parked in the reserve area identified on the aerial map in order to allow access to the permitted horse riding area. Starting from the end of Tuapiro Road, horses may be ridden northwards on the beach and within 20 metres from the vegetated edge of the reserve. The permitted riding area continues around the top of Tuapiro Point over to the western side where horses may be ridden southwards between the deep water channel and the edge of Tuapiro Point including the two inlet areas. The small island provides a turning point for horse riders to loop around as long as they remain within 20 metres from the vegetated edge of the small island. Horses are not permitted any further south of the small island as this is where the kaimoana (shellfish) beds are predominately located. A signposted loop trail is provided to guide where the permitted areas are.
Matahui Crossing
Horses may be ridden from Matahui Road across the traditional Matahui Crossing' to Matakana Island provided that any such approval to access private land on Matakana Island must first be sought and obtained from the land owners by the horse rider(s). Please note, this crossing must only be ridden with a knowledgeable guide as it is tidal.
Pahoia Beach
With access via Pahoia Domain, horses may be ridden at low tide along Pahoia Beach.
Rogers Road Pukehina
With access from Rogers Road, horses may be ridden on the northwest trail at low tide on the intertidal flats to the point where Pukehina Beach Road meets Pukehina Parade, looping back to exit at Rogers Road. With access from Rogers Road, horses may be ridden on the southeast trail at low tide on the intertidal flats to Otamarakau, looping back to exit at Rogers Road. Note: no horses may be ridden or led in the dunes anywhere.
Waitekohekohe Recreational Park
This park is a multi-use 88Ha wilderness area with horse riding trails, mountain bike trails and walking trails. Horse and mountain bike trails have been deliberately separated for safety. There is a separate carpark for mountain-bikers further up the road.
The main public carpark (for horses and pedestrians) is situated at 252 Thompsons Track, Katikati. Here you will find a nice large carpark with corrals, a washdown station (coming soon) and a toilet. Most of the trails are on the existing forestry tracks with some new trails to connect and extend the network.
Please note that some of the horse trails are shared with walkers who may have dogs on leads. For more info, trails map and current news about the park, here’s a link to the Waitekohekohe Recreational Park website and Facebook page
Please note that when you drive into the car-park, there may be a chain across the entrance – release the chain and drive in but please keep the chain across if there are horses there. The chain is only to provide a temporary safety barrier to help prevent any horses running out onto the road. If there are no other horses there when you leave, please leave the entrance open/chain unhitched.
TECT Park
TECT Park have a number of equestrian facilities available in the north western corner of the Park, off Mangakopikopiko Road: Horse pens in the gated parking area, large shelter and picnic table, round yard, water for stock, toilets and approximately 20-25km of horse tracks.
Find out how to get to TECT Park.
Reserves and Facilities Bylaw 2018
No person may take or ride any horse into or on a reserve or beach, or allow any horse in the person's custody, charge or control to be in a reserve or on a beach, unless the horse is:
(a) Under the continuous control of the person or otherwise properly secure and
(b) On a reserve or beach, or part of a reserve or beach specified by the Council as an area where a person may take or ride a horse in accordance with Schedule 1 to this Bylaw or
(c) On a reserve or beach where there is dedicated signposted horse riding trails.
The Council may specify:
(a) A reserve or beach, or any part of a reserve or beach, as an area where a person may take or ride a horse and
(b) The time or times when a person may take or ride a horse into or in a reserve or beach, or part of a reserve or beach. No person shall leave in a reserve or on the beach, any waste produced by a horse, unless placed in a rubbish bin provided by the Council for this purpose. Council's code of conduct for horse riding areas must be adhered to at all times.
