In most places, the walk along Moturiki Island in the Bay of Plenty would be highly rated, at least for visitors, but the climb up Mount Maunganui probably overshadows it. Technically, it is no longer an island, as you can walk onto it at high tide.
Moturiki is also known as Leisure Island, and an interesting panel describes its history just after the walkway's start. It was once a pā and largely denuded of trees. Then, starting in 1911, it was quarried on the south side for 12 years, resulting in large pits.
From 1966, the pits were used by Marineland for dolphin pools, then by Leisure Island for various water activities from the early 1980s until 1990. All you can see now are the remains of retaining seawalls, some graffiti, and the creep of forest regrowth around the edge of the old quarry.
After the short walk to the old quarry and pool remnants, take the main walk along the north-facing coast of the island, now mostly shrouded in young pōhutukawa trees. You can get down to the rocks below the cliff edge in a couple of places. Continue the walk all the way to the scenic rocky point at the end.
The point is spectacular and a popular hangout as the sun sets, with great 270 degree views from Maunganui Beach and the Mount around to Motuotau Island and the 30 kms of beach to the south.
