Discover accessibility-friendly walks in Katikati
Explore Katikati at your own pace with a range of accessible walking trails that showcase the town’s natural beauty, public art, and peaceful riverside scenery.
The award-winning Haiku Pathway and Uretara River Bird Walk feature smooth, easy-going paths suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs, and visitors seeking a relaxed stroll. Along the way, enjoy unique haiku poetry carved into stone, native birdlife, sculptures, and tranquil stream views.
Katikati’s network of shared pathways also connects parks, reserves, and waterfront areas, making it easy for visitors of all abilities to experience New Zealand’s mural town.
Haiku Pathway
One of Katikati's most popular walks. Mostly wide, smooth concrete paths suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers, and pushchairs. Features Japanese-style haiku poems carved into rocks, bridges, gardens, and stream views. Note: there is a staircase on part of the circuit, so not the entire loop is fully accessible.
Getting to the Haiku Pathway: The Haiku Pathway is located in the heart of Katikati, just off Main Road (State Highway 2), making it easy to reach by car, bike, or on foot. The main entrance and parking area can be accessed via the driveway beside the Robert Harris café in central Katikati. From there, a short walk leads you onto the pathway. The pathway is connected to the wider Uretara River trail network and can also be accessed from several nearby points along the stream, including the Bird Walk and surrounding shared pathways.
Uretara River Bird Walk (Yeoman Walkway)
Connects with the Haiku Pathway. The Bird Walk section has a good wheelchair-friendly surface and follows the Uretara Stream. Plenty of birdlife, sculptures, and peaceful river scenery.
The Uretara River Bird Walk, also known as part of the Yeoman Walkway, is located in central Katikati and follows the scenic Uretara Stream through native planting, public art installations, and bird habitat areas.
Getting to the Uretara River Bird Walk (Yeoman Walkway): Visitors can access the trail from several convenient entry points, including: Katikati Landing on Riverside Place, Riverlea Drive and Levley Lane, Katikati.
Connections from the Haiku Pathway and surrounding shared pathways network.
The Bird Walk follows the esplanade reserve along the Uretara Stream towards Tauranga Harbour and features a smooth, accessible surface suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and pushchairs
Katikati Shared Path / Uretara Trail
Modern all-weather shared path designed for walkers, wheelchair users, mobility scooters, cyclists, and families with prams. Approximately 1.2 km of accessible trail linking Yeoman Bridge and Park Road Reserve.
https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/recreation/walking-tracks-and-trails/uretara-stream
Getting to the Katikati Shared Path / Uretara Trail: The Katikati Shared Path / Uretara Trail is a scenic, accessible pathway network that winds along the Uretara Stream and connects key parks, reserves, and neighbourhoods throughout Katikati.
The trail has been designed for walkers, wheelchair users, mobility scooters, cyclists, and families with prams, with wide all-weather surfaces that can be enjoyed year-round.
Visitors can access the trail from several locations, including: Yeoman Bridge, Park Road Reserve, Katikati Landing (Riverside Place) and Connections from the Haiku Pathway and Uretara River Bird Walk.
The pathway follows the Uretara Stream through attractive natural surroundings and provides a safe, easy route for both recreation and local exploration.
Tamawhariua Reserve to Beach Road
The Tamawhariua Reserve to Beach Road shared pathway is located on the edge of Katikati and provides an easy, scenic route for walkers, cyclists, and mobility scooter users. The trail can be accessed from either Tamawhariua Reserve or Beach Road, making it a convenient option for a short stroll or part of a longer exploration of Katikati's trail network. It is open to pedestrians, cyclists, and mobility scooters, with a generally flat, easy-to-navigate surface.
https://yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/macmillan-reserve-shared-pathway
Best overall choice For the most enjoyable and accessible experience, Katch Katikati recommends: Haiku PathwayBird Walk (Yeoman Walkway) Uretara Shared Path Together they offer the best combination of smooth surfaces, scenery, artwork, and accessibility.