Busby Head Track
Busby Head Track
Bream Head Scenic Reserve - Whangarei Heads
Maps
Photos
Information
Bream Head Scenic Reserve is located at Whangarei Heads, northeast of Whangarei City. The track starts from the Urquharts Bay car park.
From the Urquharts Bay car park, an easy loop walk takes you around Busby Head to Smugglers Bay. The loop track takes one hour. An alternative is a 20-minute walk that takes you straight over to Smugglers Bay from the car park.
On the loop track, you will walk past the gun emplacement at Home Point. This was built during World War II as a defense against possible invasion.
Details
Easy walk
1 to 2 hours
DOC Managed
Walking track
Contact
Reviews
Marie Brauherr
Ranking: 10/10
To watch the beautiful sunset that evening, we drove the highway next to the coast to Whangarei Heads/Urquharts Bay. We could camp there and the next day made a nice walking track to several bays.
Conservation Campsite Pass
Save up to 70% on campsite fees! Support conservation and experience the natural beauty of NZ. 75 Department of Conservation campsites, one convenient pass.
Ludovic Boiteux
Ranking: 8/10
First walk we have done. Very good explanations about pests and diseases (good prevention). All amenities to have a good and safe walk. Beautiful view on the top.
Top Ranked NZ Deals Pass
Access savings worth hundreds of $$ on Top Ranked NZ Accommodation and Activities for just $1 per day.
Timothy Coombs
Ranking: 10/10
Absolutely delightful walk. Over to Smugglers Bay is easy and it is a gorgeous beach. On round to Busby Head, well worth the extra detour, then back past the gun emplacement. Took us nearly 2 hours but we did take our time (and hundreds of photos!) Not exactly a stroll with a fair bit of climbing, but excellent path and good steps. We did it late afternoon/evening and glad we saw Smugglers Bay in sunshine. Even the oil refinery looked OK! Already gone into our list of all time favourite walks ;-)
Avoid Camping Fines!
The only camping map where each location is approved by every regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…
kanoe
Ranking: 10/10
Great little hike with wonderful views along the way. Track goes through grazing paddocks, along beaches, and under the canopy of native bush. Be sure to check out the inside of the military observation post. The tramp took about 2 hours with children - hike is family friendly but some parts of the trail have steep drop-offs. Clean toilet facilities at the start of the track.
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
araroa
Ranking: 10/10
Drive out to the Bream Head Scenic Reserve and you'll find a variety of walks - all different levels. The Busby Head Track starts off from Urghuarts Bay, is a loop track and takes around 1 1/2 hour. You will walk through farmland, through bush and along the beach at Smugglers Cove. Fantastic views all around and the track is nice and wide with gravel on it. Highly reccommended....
Jess Pasos
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful place. Nice short walk with a great little secluded beach at the end.
DOC Managed
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍
Nick Morrison
Rankers owner
