Trip Reports: April-May 2025 (Be sure to click on the images)
25 May 2025 - Te Rau Puriri Regional Park
Te Rau Puriri Regional Park is a farm park on the east side of South Head, just below the entry to Kaipara Harbour.
On a cool and clear morning 48 of us headed north and then west to Helensville where we had a brief stop. We then passed through Parakai and followed South Head Road for about 40 minutes to the park.
The entrance to the carpark is on the right at a sharp leftward bend in the road. This is at the highest part of Te Rau Puriri and has a good view down to the lower reaches of the harbour.
The track is a loop down to the water's edge and back. We took this in an anti-clockwise direction. We could see heavy rain approaching from the other side of the harbour. Luckily the rain went south over the water and we only got some light drizzle.
On a cool and clear morning 48 of us headed north and then west to Helensville where we had a brief stop. We then passed through Parakai and followed South Head Road for about 40 minutes to the park.
The entrance to the carpark is on the right at a sharp leftward bend in the road. This is at the highest part of Te Rau Puriri and has a good view down to the lower reaches of the harbour.
The track is a loop down to the water's edge and back. We took this in an anti-clockwise direction. We could see heavy rain approaching from the other side of the harbour. Luckily the rain went south over the water and we only got some light drizzle.
The grassy track was flat to start with and then swung to the right of some hills (where there were sheep and cattle confined) before descending to the shore. The tide was out on the narrow shelly beach. We didn't spend long there.
The return leg was flat for about half its distance before a steady climb back to the bus. We got onboard just before another shower passed over.
We set off to Shelly Beach which is 21 km south (by road) on the same coast. We had a late lunch there and walked along the foreshore as far as the cliffs which had recently eroded quite badly.
Thanks to today's Leadership Team: Fiona & Don, with Josephine & Dot.
Photos: Don & Linda Text: Don
Photos: Don & Linda Text: Don
11 May 2025 - Cossey Gorge Track, Wairoa-Cossey Track and Massey Track
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28 enthusiastic members headed out today to Auckland’s largest native forest and home to five reservoirs supplying much of Auckland’s water. A requirement of the walk was that everyone should have a good level of fitness. |
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After using the boot spray station (kauri dieback has not been detected in the Hunua Ranges), we crossed over the lovely new bridge and set out on the track climbing up the mountain to the ridge line. We had had heavy rain in the preceding few days but the track seemed reasonably dry and in good condition.
There are a couple of lovely viewing spots on the way where you can look out over all the bush and farmland below and gave you a good perspective of how high up you were getting. A good chance to catch your breath also. Our lunch stop was at the Cossey Dam so after lots of photographing of the massive dam and reading of the memorial plaque in the ground, we made our way to the bench seats to replenish ourselves.
The track down had a different feel to it from the track up. The bush was slightly different and perhaps not as lush as on the way up. Care had to be taken on the way down and you had to keep your eyes on the track as there was a big drop on one side and it was a long way down to the stream at the bottom. A new suspension bridge has been built over the Cossey Creek too so we got back with dry feet.
It is particularly spectacular bush in the Hunua Ranges. We saw rimu, tawa, totara, taraire, nikau, tanekaha, kauri, kidney fern to name but a few, and the amount of flowering rata was amazing. One member of the team got very excited when she spotted purple mushroom and then later blue mushroom on the downward track.
John set a good steady pace!
We saw kaka, kereru and fantails and heard tui and grey warblers so the pest eradication programmes are working.
And what did we find when we got back to the carpark – a coffee and ice cream cart. How good is that after a long hot walk!
Special thanks to today's leaders
Anne and John and Barbara and Eeva
Text: Anne
Photos: Barbara and Vanessa
27 April 2025 - Brick Bay Sculpture Trail & Parry Kauri Park
Despite fairly heavy rain and the forecast of more to come, a full bus of 50 members, including five newcomers, went up to the Brick Bay area.
Our first stop was the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, established by owners, Christine and Michael Didsbury in 2007 to foster the arts by allowing artists an outdoor, magical location to exhibit and sell their work. The owners also hoped to encourage visitors to enjoy the native bush and environs in the area and over time have built a restaurant on site, vineyards and olive trees producing wine and olive oil. There are currently 70 sculptural pieces on display.
On arrival we split into two groups and headed round the lake which commences the walk. On one side of the lake sits the lovely glasshouse restaurant which was setting up for Sunday lunch. Particular favourites amongst the sculptures welcoming us were the Phantom Fleet Vessel by Virginia King a leaf shaped vessel made of metal lattice and the Nga Manaaki by Anton Forde consisting of some 44 wooden pou (Maori figures).
On arrival we split into two groups and headed round the lake which commences the walk. On one side of the lake sits the lovely glasshouse restaurant which was setting up for Sunday lunch. Particular favourites amongst the sculptures welcoming us were the Phantom Fleet Vessel by Virginia King a leaf shaped vessel made of metal lattice and the Nga Manaaki by Anton Forde consisting of some 44 wooden pou (Maori figures).
A soft rain was falling by now, but before long we were in the bush covered area of the dam and wetlands area. Several sculptural pieces floated on the water areas while others lined the track or were up in the grassland with sheep grazing nearby. Music accompanied some of the pieces with strains of Vivaldi floating near the beautiful sculptures suspended from trees and rising up out of the ground in the kahikatea swamp area.
A fantastic diversity of native plants, including mature and emerging kauri, puriri, nikau and totara proliferated. There was also considerable bird life, especially, tuis.
Of particular interest were the mature cork oak trees (Quercus suber), adjacent to the vineyard area and the swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum) roots whose gnarly shapes emerged in primeval fashion out of the murky waters of the lake.
Although the walk is only some two kilometres long the group spent two hours there, admiring the sculptures, the landscape and the artful way the two combined.
A fantastic diversity of native plants, including mature and emerging kauri, puriri, nikau and totara proliferated. There was also considerable bird life, especially, tuis.
Of particular interest were the mature cork oak trees (Quercus suber), adjacent to the vineyard area and the swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum) roots whose gnarly shapes emerged in primeval fashion out of the murky waters of the lake.
Although the walk is only some two kilometres long the group spent two hours there, admiring the sculptures, the landscape and the artful way the two combined.
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Due to the rain, it was decided to forgo the planned coastal walk and head for Parry Kauri Park which is situated just outside of Warkworth. After lunch the group were free to walk the newly constructed boardwalk in the park which loops around a magnificent, well sign posted kauri grove and other native trees.
Most of the group also visited the Warkworth Museum situated on the site which showcases the rich and interesting history of the area including the gum digging days, the local cement and limestone factory and life and community as it was in earlier days. |
Birdfeeder - Parry Kauri Park
An interesting trip providing a feast of natural and artistic beauty to contemplate, admire and enjoy.
Many thanks to our leaders:
Sandra T., Anuschka, Adele and Paul
Text: Anuschka Photos: Linda
And, special thanks to the 50 members who didn't let the weather get in the way of boarding the bus this morning!
Many thanks to our leaders:
Sandra T., Anuschka, Adele and Paul
Text: Anuschka Photos: Linda
And, special thanks to the 50 members who didn't let the weather get in the way of boarding the bus this morning!
13 April - Mercer Bay Loop Track & Kitekite Falls Track
On a beautiful sunny day we walked two popular West Coast walks, the Mercer Bay Loop Track and the Kitekite Falls Track.
Parking at the Mercer Bay walk is very restricted with tight turning space, and a small bus was requested. However, a large bus arrived so we parked at the first park, before the gravel road commences. Dave did a wonderful job of turning the bus around before the walkers returned.
We started our day with morning tea overlooking Piha beach, then all walkers carried on along a well-formed track through regenerating forest, visiting the pa site and carrying on to the lookout with beautiful views along the coast.
It was then a long climb through bush to end this walk with a visit to Piha radio station and the site of WWII radar station 4. There is a lot of information on boards at the site, worth giving some time to reading. Astronomic history was created at the site in 1948 when radio waves from outside of our solar system were detected for the first time.
We then drove to North Piha Beach for lunch. There are good toilets there and good sheltered seating available at the community centre. Also, an easy walk through to the beach.
After lunch we went to Kitekite Falls Track where there was good parking available for the bus. We walked along a good flat track and boardwalk through lush bush and nikau palms to Byers walk, linking back to Kitekite walk, continuing along Kitekite walk to a stream crossing. Here walkers divided into A and B walkers.
We then drove to North Piha Beach for lunch. There are good toilets there and good sheltered seating available at the community centre. Also, an easy walk through to the beach.
After lunch we went to Kitekite Falls Track where there was good parking available for the bus. We walked along a good flat track and boardwalk through lush bush and nikau palms to Byers walk, linking back to Kitekite walk, continuing along Kitekite walk to a stream crossing. Here walkers divided into A and B walkers.
B walkers
B walkers returned to the bus back along the Kitekite track to wait for A walkers. Good seating, shelter and toilets at the end of the track. B walkers waited around 30 minutes for A walkers to return.
A walkers
As the stream was low, A walkers crossed the stream and continued to the falls. A long climb of 250 shallow steps and a narrow downhill path with some rock climbing down to falls. Some walkers stayed on the path and did not climb down to the falls. The remainder of the loop walk is still closed so walkers returned along the same route back to the bus.
B walkers returned to the bus back along the Kitekite track to wait for A walkers. Good seating, shelter and toilets at the end of the track. B walkers waited around 30 minutes for A walkers to return.
A walkers
As the stream was low, A walkers crossed the stream and continued to the falls. A long climb of 250 shallow steps and a narrow downhill path with some rock climbing down to falls. Some walkers stayed on the path and did not climb down to the falls. The remainder of the loop walk is still closed so walkers returned along the same route back to the bus.
Rescue training at North Piha
Both tracks were popular walking tracks so walkers needed to stay in single file. Total walk for the day around 6 km. The bus returned to Auckland around 3.30pm.
A huge thanks to today’s
well coordinated team!
Leaders: Liz and Sue B., with Vicky and Naomi
Text: Liz
Photos: Liz & Barbara