Trip Reports: June-July 2025
6 July 2025 - Exploring Mangawhai
Our destination being Mangawhai, we quickly headed north on the fast smooth highway. North of Wellsford we turned off onto the road that led to Mangawhai, through green rolling countryside, which looked idyllic in the bright sunshine.
A right turn onto the pavement led us up the road to start on the Back Bay Walkway, a boardwalk built by Managawhai Tracks Charitable Trust volunteers. By 10.15 we had arrived at the end of Moir Road alongside the iconic Mangawhai Tavern. Here we all piled off the bus, read the information panels nearby about prominent people of the past and then walked up the steps on the left which led onto the walk around the headland. The path soon opened out onto a wide sweep of grass offering grand views of the Mangawhai Estuary. This was a suitable stop for morning tea and taking photos.
After a meander around the headland, taking in the views while keeping an eye out for puddles, we came out at Molesworth Drive.
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Some of our sharp-eyed group enjoyed photographing various fungi on the bank on the way to the start of the walk, including Redhead Roundhead fungus (Leratiomyces ceres) and White Basket fungus (Ileodictyon cibarium) |
Back Bay Walkway transitions through jointed rush (oioi), mature kanuka and mangroves. The rush wetland presented a wide swathe of eye catching colours of russet, yellows and orange.
Where the boardwalk meets the old Back Bay jetty, walkers had the chance to walk to the end, view the wide estuary and do some bird spotting. Once back on the main trail, Sandra gave us some interesting information on mangroves which related well to the surroundings.
Heading back on the track we soon emerged onto another part of Molesworth Drive from where we turned right and on up the slight incline to the Mangawhai Museum. We allowed plenty of time here for the walkers to visit the well set out modern museum, the out buildings and have lunch.
Inside one of the buildings is the work being done by The Daring Trust. They are preserving the wreck of the beautiful 2 mast schooner The Daring, which beached in 1865.
Our trip home was delayed due to a fault with the air conditioning but our driver made the right contacts to fix it and soon we were back on the bus.
Another great day!
Thanks to the Leadership Team: Sandra T., Fiona and Jan R.
Text: Fiona Photos: Katherine, Linda and Fiona.
Inside one of the buildings is the work being done by The Daring Trust. They are preserving the wreck of the beautiful 2 mast schooner The Daring, which beached in 1865.
Our trip home was delayed due to a fault with the air conditioning but our driver made the right contacts to fix it and soon we were back on the bus.
Another great day!
Thanks to the Leadership Team: Sandra T., Fiona and Jan R.
Text: Fiona Photos: Katherine, Linda and Fiona.
22 June 2025 - Waiheke Island: Matiatia to Oneroa via Cable and Owhanake Bays
Thirty-six keen walkers took the ferry to Waiheke Island on Sunday 22 June for a tramp along a small section of the Te Ara Hura Track, which circles 100 kms of the coastline around the island. The weather was glorious and remained so for the whole day.
On disembarking from the ferry at Matiatia, we turned sharp left and following division into two groups, headed up the track past the Red Shed. Both groups planned to walk the same track albeit at a different pace.
The track hugs the coastline on the NW headland of Waiheke Island, following the cliffs along a narrow grassy path which was sometimes muddy, due to recent rain. We passed the historic Mokemoke Pa site, nearby which, are house terraces, middens and kumara pits.
The track then meanders round the front of some of the enormous (and expensive) modern homes which are perched along the way with their manicured gardens and olive groves.
The views were stunning looking back towards the city, along the coastline and towards the Coromandel Peninsula. Many islands which dot the Harbour including Rangitoto, Motutapu, Rakino and the Noises could also be seen.
The views were stunning looking back towards the city, along the coastline and towards the Coromandel Peninsula. Many islands which dot the Harbour including Rangitoto, Motutapu, Rakino and the Noises could also be seen.
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We then walked down to Cable Bay, site of the first telegraph cable between Australia and New Zealand. Also nearby was the Rua Kuriwao (Red Bush Dog) sculpture by Stephen Mulqueen, a Dunedin Artist, as part of the Sculpture on the Gulf Event in 2009. Commonly known as the Red Bush Dog, the sculpture stands at 2 metres high, weighs a ton, and is based on railway spike nails which are also known as “dogs.” |
Following a relatively steep climb (150 steps if you were counting) we were again rewarded by more beautiful views of rocky coastlines, secluded beaches and harbours. Pohutukawa lined the route as did flaxes and other native trees. Also prolific is the karo, a salt resistant smaller tree, common in coastal areas.
The track then wound down to Owhanake Beach, where we enjoyed our lunch. Thereafter, we ambled back via a small stretch of road and then along Oneroa Beach and upwards to the village.
After a stop for a gelato in the village, some stayed behind to catch a later ferry and to take in the local art museum. Most however, took the Atawhai Whenua Reserve (which translates as “kindness to the land”) track which is owned by Forest and Bird, to get back to the ferry.
The Reserve has seen an intense weed eradication program and replanting. More than 40,000 trees and plants have been planted. It is also good to know that Waiheke is currently possum free although there is still a problem with ferrets and rats.
Everyone enjoyed the walk, helped by sunny weather, clear blue skies and spectacular views. The walk was approximately 12 klms and took 3-4 hours at a steady pace.
For anyone going to Waiheke, using their Gold/AT Card, it is worth remembering that one should board the 9 am ferry no earlier than 10 minutes before departure or risk being charged the full amount.
Everyone enjoyed the walk, helped by sunny weather, clear blue skies and spectacular views. The walk was approximately 12 klms and took 3-4 hours at a steady pace.
For anyone going to Waiheke, using their Gold/AT Card, it is worth remembering that one should board the 9 am ferry no earlier than 10 minutes before departure or risk being charged the full amount.
A great day! Special thanks to today's Leadership Team: Anuschka & Sandra T. and Jan L. & Rachel R.
Text: Anuschka Photos: Anuschka, Linda.
Text: Anuschka Photos: Anuschka, Linda.
8 June 2025 - Coast to Coast
The 31 intrepid walkers who embarked on this 16 km urban walk were rewarded with the perfect weather – no rain and an ideal temperature.
We had many stops along our journey from downtown Auckland to Onehunga, including Albert Park, where Robyn took to the podium.
John Logan Campbell
The Domain and Maungawhau came next, with A walkers climbing to the summit as the B walkers enjoyed the excellent information centre.
We were all ready for lunch by the time we reached Melville Park, which roughly marked the halfway point of our walk.
From there we continued on to Cornwall Park and up to the kiosk, where Robyn again provided information on the magnificent trees to be found there.
As we walked down towards Manukau Road, the pheasants we saw on our recces showed themselves again, to our delight.
Our final stop prior to the completion of the walk was at Ollies Ice cream Parlour, which appeared to be the highlight of the day for some!
We were all ready for lunch by the time we reached Melville Park, which roughly marked the halfway point of our walk.
From there we continued on to Cornwall Park and up to the kiosk, where Robyn again provided information on the magnificent trees to be found there.
As we walked down towards Manukau Road, the pheasants we saw on our recces showed themselves again, to our delight.
Our final stop prior to the completion of the walk was at Ollies Ice cream Parlour, which appeared to be the highlight of the day for some!
Treats at Ollies
We learnt much of interest along the way, we saw sculptures, gardens, trees and heritage homes – not to mention an abundance of toilets!
Special thanks to today's leaders:
Gil and Jenny with help from Robyn and Jan.
Photos & text: Jenny