Trip Reports August - September 2020
02 August - North Shore's East Coast Bays
Castor Bay to Waiake Beach, Torbay
It was a day for windproof jackets and woolly hats when our walk started at Castor Bay, so named because in earlier days castor oil palms grew there. An attractive bay even in the strong westerly wind.
A short stiff climb from the bay took us up to the Rahopara Pa site in Kennedy Park, from where we had expansive views of the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto. The northern shore of the Waitemata was the scene of much intertribal conflict so this pa was well positioned.
We walked along through Kennedy Park pausing to read the information panels and noting the gun emplacements which faced out over the water. All a reminder of our involvement in WW2.
From here we made our way inland to walk the Centennial Park Nature Trail. We entered the park at Rae Road and picked up the pamphlets provided by Auckland Council at the park entrance.
Walkers could then see the map of the trail and read the details of the numbered trees as they walked through. Exiting the park from the Sandford Street exit, we then took the roads that lead down to Campbells Bay.
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Here we all admired the little bronze penguin figures set onto the rocks in memory of Sylvia Durrant, (aka The Bird Lady) who did so much during her life to protect the lives of the little blue penguins.
Our route then took us north along Campbells Bay beach to the start of the Pipeline Walkway which links Campbells Bay, Murrays Bay and Mairangi Bay. Several times we stopped to observe the crumbling cliffs and the large slabs of rock with grit which had fallen from above onto the rocks below. On the seaward side of the walkway, as it was low tide, we saw how the wind and tides had weathered the rocks leaving interesting pools and exposing different rock layers. |
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With heads bent against the wind we walked on to Mairangi Bay which was our lunch stop. With such unfavourable conditions for lunching on the beach, we darted into cafes for lunch and coffee.
Once revived we continued north again on the Pipeline Walkway which finishes at Murrays Bay. We then headed onto the Clifftop Walkway which is a small part of the Te Araroa Trail. This trail north leads through to Rothesay Bay then to Browns Bay where we paused at the war memorial to read the names of the countries in which New Zealanders have fought.
Another short stiff climb up had to be done on the track up from Browns Bay over to Waiake Beach, Torbay. Once over the hill with the Tor now visible below we could see the end of our walk.
Before we got the bus to travel back to our pick up points, we had a look at the southern end of Waiake Beach. Nearly hidden from view by the large pohutukawa tree roots, we could see fascinating patterns set into the rocks formed by earth movements of long ago.
Before we got the bus to travel back to our pick up points, we had a look at the southern end of Waiake Beach. Nearly hidden from view by the large pohutukawa tree roots, we could see fascinating patterns set into the rocks formed by earth movements of long ago.
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The walk was quite a long one being about 14km.
Thanks to Fiona and Molly for organising a great walk for us.
Text: Fiona
Photos: Fiona & Sharleen
Thanks to Fiona and Molly for organising a great walk for us.
Text: Fiona
Photos: Fiona & Sharleen
