Tapeka Point is surrounded by native bush through which there are a number of excellent walking tracks. You can walk right to the end of the actual point itself following a narrow grassy track which is steep in places. Starting from Du Fresne Place it leads you across a number of what were once defensive ditches to the end of Tapeka Peninsula and the top-most part of Tapeka Pa itself.
You will see stunning views all along the track over the whole of the Bay of Islands, from Cape Wiwiki in the north to Rakaumangamanga in the south-east.
Jim’s track is the start of the Flagstaff Hill Loop Track which takes you through regenerating kanuka/manuka scrub down into the Waipara/Watering Bay stream and wetland then back up to one of New Zealand’s most iconic historic sites - Te Maiki/Flagstaff Hill.
Flagstaff hill is one of the more famous historic sites in the area. The Maori land wars began right here in Russell/Kororareka in 1845 and shortly thereafter, the flag pole at the top of the hill was cut down by the famous chief Hone Heke. Over the following period of time, he and his supporters cut it down a further 3 times.
Elsewhere on this walk you may very well come across the endangered North Island weka, which has been successfully reintroduced to the Russell Peninsula by the Russell Landcare Trust.
A section of this track crosses private land but walkers are welcome.
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