Mangawhai Walking Weekend
Date: 01-03 April 2011
This popular annual event that includes the Wine and Food festival can be viewed at:
www.mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz
Press Release 2011
Walking is one of the best exercises there is. You can enjoy beautiful surroundings, socially with a friend, or perhaps alone in contemplation, and know that you are doing something that is good for the body and the soul. When you arrive at your destination, you feel pleasantly tired, virtuous but with the ability to still participate in other activities.
New Zealand is known for its range of stunning walks. But many of them are very challenging without extensive preparation.
Every year in Mangawhai and surrounding districts a whole weekend is dedicated to a variety of walks. Mangawhai is already well known for its stunning beaches and beautiful summer weather. But it is a little known secret that every year it has a walking weekend. On March 31st 2011 the Walking Weekend will have been running for 12 years and every year it gets bigger.
That is because there is such a great range of walks. You can do the doggy walk on a farm (no plastic bags required!), the Troubadour walk (the Friday night event, a social saunter complete with entertainment) historical walks (a difficult choice between social history – the tale of the locals who fought and won the battle to save the harbour, or colonial and Maori history) foodie walks (you can choose from a truffle farm or the Ramblers food experience) nature walks (through the flora and fauna of Te Arai Beach or Logues Bush) or simply sensational scenery walks .
Or you if you want more of a challenge you can explore segments of the Te Araroa Track (either the Dome Valley or the cliff top to Brynderwyns). If you want to extend your repertoire you can do mountain biking, kayaking or caving! Locals lead the walks and share their knowledge of the area, which enhances the whole experience.
But the walks are not the only highlights of the weekend. Tasty breakfasts are provided for a small price and Saturday evening you can enjoy the Wine and Food festival with a range of delicious local foods and wines. Many of these have won medals for their produce – this year alone, local olives, wines and chocolate have won gold. In 2011 the entertainment is going to be Elvis impersonator Andy Stankovich, so expect some rocking and rolling.
This year the Mangawhai Walking Weekend runs from the 31st of March to the 3rd of April. Any profit made on the weekend is returned to the local community. This year it went to the Historical Society. Next year it will be going to the development and maintenance of walking tracks so people can enjoy walking all year round.
One of the most telling recommendations for the Mangawhai Walking Weekend is reading the evaluations of people’s experiences. So many people have such a fabulous time they come back every year and bring their friends. Ticket sales open on the 1st of January and many walks are over-subscribed, as numbers are limited on each walk to ensure a quality experience. So to get the walks you want, book early on-line at the website mangawhaiwalkingweekend.co.nz
