Accident closes Bay of Islands walking track

The Far North District Council has temporarily closed part of a popular coastal Bay of Islands hiking trail after a walker fell from an eroded section of the track.

The woman slipped on loose gravel at a narrow, sloping section of the Opua to Paihia track and tumbled over the edge. She was only prevented from falling further onto oyster-covered rocks 3m below by the quick response of her husband.

The Council has now closed the track between Opua and English Bay and is awaiting an engineer’s assessment of how best to reinstate the trail and make it safe for walkers.

The track also forms part of Te Araroa – the Cape Reinga to Bluff walking trail – and its closure will have an impact on local and international hikers.

General Manager – Infrastructure and Asset Management Andy Finch says last week’s incident could have been much more serious and the woman was lucky to escape with only scrapes and bruises. “This is a very popular walk for locals and visitors alike, and its closure will be a disappointment. However, we must ensure it is safe for all users before we reopen it. We will keep residents informed of progress.”

It is not the first time the track has been closed. In April 2018, the Council temporarily closed the track between Opua and the Paihia Top 10 Campground after two sections of the track were washed away by severe storms. 

Track closure signs are now in place at the bottom of English Bay Road and Beechy Street, Opua.