Motutere/Castle Rock
Motutere/Castle Rock is the rocky core of a former volcano rising above the bush, with views of both sides of the peninsula.
- track category: Advanced
- track length: Unknown
- walking time: 2-hr return
- track start location: see map below
- km from town: 8km
Track Description: 501 The 309 Road and turn onto Castle Rock Rd; 15 min/10 km southeast of town, partly on gravel road – 2-hr return.
Motutere/Castle Rock is the 525-metre-high rocky core of a former volcano rising above the bush. It is used for rock climbing, with a number of high bolted routes. From the top there are views of both sides of the peninsula from a very rough, steep, unmarked, and unmaintained track. Motutere means “floating island”. The log truck road to the track’s start is sometimes closed to vehicle access but can be walked, adding 1 hr to return.
A Grade 2 mountain bike track on Castle Rock Road is accessible between The 309 and Whangapoua roads (12 km/2 hr one way) and the road can also be walked (dogs okay only on road).
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