Trip Reports, May - June 2014
Tamaki River Walkway and Mangemangeroa Reserve - 29 June 2014
Kingfishers - just sitting about!!
A group of thirty-one left from the Pakuranga Town Centre to walk along the Tamaki River Walkway to Musick Point. There was a very interesting stop to view the ignimbrite deposits, now thought to be over a million years old and to have come from the great Taupo eruption. It was onwards and upwards to the top of Pigeon Mountain for a great view then down to Half Moon Bay and Bucklands Beach Yacht Club for morning tea - scones, muffins and coffee as our mid-winter treat courtesy of the club. A bit further on at Little Bucklands some boarded the bus and the majority walked on to Musick Point where we had lunch. Then it was back on the bus, on to Shelly Beach and the start of
the Mangemangeroa Track, a lovely example of coastal forest. Some chose to bus to the end of the track and meet us at the barn, enjoying the views while they waited in the sunshine.
Hannah and Elane led this walk and Hannah reports that organising this walk made her realise what hard work the wonderful leaders of previous walks have done and how much forward planning goes into these trips - especially finding sufficient toilet stops!
Everyone enjoyed the day - a big thank you to Hannah and Elane.
the Mangemangeroa Track, a lovely example of coastal forest. Some chose to bus to the end of the track and meet us at the barn, enjoying the views while they waited in the sunshine.
Hannah and Elane led this walk and Hannah reports that organising this walk made her realise what hard work the wonderful leaders of previous walks have done and how much forward planning goes into these trips - especially finding sufficient toilet stops!
Everyone enjoyed the day - a big thank you to Hannah and Elane.
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Spectacular ignimbrite deposits in the cliffs.
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Leigh and Goat Island 15 June 2014
 Great to have a full bus today!
This was an awesome day - blue skies, beautiful bush and coastal walks and a visit to a marine centre - plus a near record number of walkers - 44!!
Our day began with a gentle downhill bush walk from Leigh Road down to Matheson Bay. It was obvious the previous week's storm had raged through the area with a lot of fallen branches and debris but it was still an easy walk. A surprise in store was finding part of the boardwalk by the Kohuroa Stream (many mists) flooded and we soon found out just how cold the water was! It was lovely to linger here as we negotiated the floodwaters as we had a chance to really appreciate the atmosphere in this peaceful place. At Matheson Bay group A walkers pressed on to take the Leigh Coastal Walkway with its stunning views out over Omaha Bay, Tawharanui, Coromandel Peninsula, Little Barrier and Great Barrier Islands. White surf crashing around the dark cliffs added to the drama of the landscape - we could only imagine how it must look in December when the pohutukawa trees clinging to the cliffs are in bloom. Several challenging flights of steps tested our legs and we were happy to have an extended lunch stop at Leigh Cemetery where some of the headstones told of times gone by. It was about here that we said goodbye to the big friendly black dog who "adopted" us earlier in the walk and attached himself to Trallea as his new best friend! The last part of our walk, which the B group did as well, was the very pretty Leigh Harbour Walkway alongside the harbour with its fishing boats and native bush - ferns, kauri, nikau and pohutukawa. Some very vocal resident tui seemed to be protesting that we were disturbing their peace! A last climb up through a the bush completed our walk and we were very grateful to our driver, Joe, for backing his 50-seater all the way down Mt Pleasant Road to meet us and saving us another 45 minutes of uphill and downhill! Joe then delivered us to the Goat Island Marine Reserve where we made a visit to the Marine Discovery Centre, part of the University of Auckland. The marine reserve was established in 1975 and was New Zealand's first marine reserve protecting five square kilometres of sea and coastline. After a quick walk along the beach to a fissure in the rocks to see if we could spot a schnapper or two, we were back on the bus and headed for Auckland again. A big thank you to Molly for such a well-organised, interesting day, and to Janet, Elizabeth and Wendy for their help.
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Atiu Creek Regional Park 01 June 2014
Gifted to the ARC by Pierre and Jackie Chatelanat, Atiu Creek Regional Park was officially opened in 2008 and at 843 hectares, it is one of Auckland's largest parks.
We were blessed with the most amazing weather - clear blue skies with an autumn crispness which, in turn, gave us breathtaking views of the Kaipara Harbour at its best, surrounding farmland with animals, mangroves, native bush, pockets of various tree plantings, and this was from the carpark.
After being greeted by the two resident roosters, both 'A' walkers (Oruawharo River Trail) and 'B' walkers (Reservoir Walk) set off along one of the farm roadways which made for very easy walking for the whole day. Splitting at the first junction the 'A' walkers continued across farmland, dodging cow patties and sheep pebbles, to reach an elevated area of the farm where there was evidence of a couple of pa sites. Next stop, Rua's gravesite, Atiu's famous Huntaway sheep dog's grave, and behold one of the most amazing views of the harbour's Oruawharo River estuaries, Solomons Bay and the carving Oweka Tapu Pou.
The 'B' walkers, after cutting across an uphill shortcut and climbng several rickety locked gates, stopped at Rua's resting spot for lunch, relaxing and appreciating the view. We then met up with the 'A' walkers at their lunch stop.
Lunch at Solomons Bay gave us the chance to experience an artists view of the mangroves and surrounding farmland and birdlife via a view board at the shore edge, plus a glimpse of a fish nursery with juvenile fish flitting around at the shore edge.
Next stop, the reservoir, which is home to black swans, paradise shelducks, mallards, grey ducks and dabchicks. All of the above birdlife managed to keep themselves at a distance on the other side of the reservoir, however with our modern cameras and the odd eagle-eye we managed to enjoy their antics. From the reservoir, a steady climb to the carpark, bus and a feathery farewell from the resident roosters.
Thank you Lynne and Brenda for a lovely day. (This was Lynne's first time leading a walk - Congratulations on a job well done and we look forward to your next walk!)
We were blessed with the most amazing weather - clear blue skies with an autumn crispness which, in turn, gave us breathtaking views of the Kaipara Harbour at its best, surrounding farmland with animals, mangroves, native bush, pockets of various tree plantings, and this was from the carpark.
After being greeted by the two resident roosters, both 'A' walkers (Oruawharo River Trail) and 'B' walkers (Reservoir Walk) set off along one of the farm roadways which made for very easy walking for the whole day. Splitting at the first junction the 'A' walkers continued across farmland, dodging cow patties and sheep pebbles, to reach an elevated area of the farm where there was evidence of a couple of pa sites. Next stop, Rua's gravesite, Atiu's famous Huntaway sheep dog's grave, and behold one of the most amazing views of the harbour's Oruawharo River estuaries, Solomons Bay and the carving Oweka Tapu Pou.
The 'B' walkers, after cutting across an uphill shortcut and climbng several rickety locked gates, stopped at Rua's resting spot for lunch, relaxing and appreciating the view. We then met up with the 'A' walkers at their lunch stop.
Lunch at Solomons Bay gave us the chance to experience an artists view of the mangroves and surrounding farmland and birdlife via a view board at the shore edge, plus a glimpse of a fish nursery with juvenile fish flitting around at the shore edge.
Next stop, the reservoir, which is home to black swans, paradise shelducks, mallards, grey ducks and dabchicks. All of the above birdlife managed to keep themselves at a distance on the other side of the reservoir, however with our modern cameras and the odd eagle-eye we managed to enjoy their antics. From the reservoir, a steady climb to the carpark, bus and a feathery farewell from the resident roosters.
Thank you Lynne and Brenda for a lovely day. (This was Lynne's first time leading a walk - Congratulations on a job well done and we look forward to your next walk!)
The B Group at the start of the day
Oweka Tapu Pou
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A good time of year to see fungi
Lunch with an awesome view!
Lynne enjoyed her first walk as Leader!
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Natural History Meeting 25 May 2014: The History of Huts
Jessica talked to us today not just about tramping huts, but all sorts of other huts as well. The history of New Zealand is full of tales of enterprise and effort and often people (mainly men) worked in quite isolated areas. So it was hardly possible to commute to work! This meant that one man would often be living in isolation for months, so that he could perform some vital task that enabled a project to keep making relentless progress.
Sadly, many of these huts have succumbed to the ravages of time, having been built with whatever material was readily available at that particular location: wood and stone were the most common. However, a few huts have been restored and are being maintained by groups of enthusiasts or by the Department of Conservation.
Thank you for a fascinating talk, Jessica.
Sadly, many of these huts have succumbed to the ravages of time, having been built with whatever material was readily available at that particular location: wood and stone were the most common. However, a few huts have been restored and are being maintained by groups of enthusiasts or by the Department of Conservation.
Thank you for a fascinating talk, Jessica.
Wairere Falls Track 18 May 2014
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The Wairere Falls are set in the beautiful bush of the Kamai Ranges and drop over the Okauia fault in 2 stages. The track is a very old Maori trail used extensively as a key link and trading route over the Kaimai Ranges in both pre- and post- European times.
The Wairere Falls Track is an utterly enchanting walk through a native forest that is reminiscent of fairy tales, with moss covered rocks and a number of small waterfalls along the way, with fine groves of nikau, also puriri and kohekohe. The track is a little challenging, with many steps and a staircase even before the viewing platform halfway to the top, but it was well-used by many people on this bright autumn day. |
A number of bridges allow you to cross and re-cross the stream below the falls.
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The full length of Wairere Falls seen from the viewing platform halfway up.
Small fungi proliferating on a tree- trunk.
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It was worth pausing at the viewing platform halfway up to admire the spectacular Wairere Falls, 153 metres high, before the A group carried on up to the top of the falls and the B group had their lunch at the platform. Carrying on up the steep track, we reached the top level in about another hour, where a level track took us to a viewing platform almost overhanging the falls! After we stopped for lunch, it was hard to get going again leaving the warm sunshine and the stunning views all around us. Looking north we could not see far, due to the low-lying mist, but on a clear day we could have seen as far as the Coromandel Peninsula and Rangitoto Island. As it was we could see far over the Waikto Plains.
The way down was a lot easier even though you had to pick your way carefully between tree – roots and the rocks and boulders scattered like confetti from a volcanic eruption long ago. The many species of ferns, a few fungi and a good deal of moss growing on rocks and tree trunks was evidence of the high rainfall in the area. We made good time coming back down to the bus and, when the two groups compared notes, it was evident that both groups had thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thanks to Derek for choosing this walk and leading it and to Brenda for acting as tail-ender. |
A quick stop for water on the way up.
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The stream before it reaches the falls: seeing this made it all worthwhile!
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Shore Road Remuera and Waterfront Walk 04 May 2014
This was a lovely walk beginning in Parnell and finishing at the Michael J. Savage Memorial, Bastion Point on Tamaki Drive. We wandered through the grounds of St Stephens Chapel, a Selwyn church built in 1857, through Awatea Reserve and on to the Freda Kirkwood walkway by the shore. The walk around Orakei Basin was especially enjoyable and we spotted oystercatchers and shags as well as the odd fish leaping from the water. We climbed up and over Paratai Drive admiring the views and the impressive homes before continuing on along Tamaki Drive. Disappointment that the ice cream shop near Kelly Tarltons was not open turned to delight when we found the Mr Whippy van up at the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial! A lovely way to finish the day.
It was great to have several new walkers with us on this trip - a big thank you to John for stepping in to lead this walk in Janet's place.
This was a lovely walk beginning in Parnell and finishing at the Michael J. Savage Memorial, Bastion Point on Tamaki Drive. We wandered through the grounds of St Stephens Chapel, a Selwyn church built in 1857, through Awatea Reserve and on to the Freda Kirkwood walkway by the shore. The walk around Orakei Basin was especially enjoyable and we spotted oystercatchers and shags as well as the odd fish leaping from the water. We climbed up and over Paratai Drive admiring the views and the impressive homes before continuing on along Tamaki Drive. Disappointment that the ice cream shop near Kelly Tarltons was not open turned to delight when we found the Mr Whippy van up at the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial! A lovely way to finish the day.
It was great to have several new walkers with us on this trip - a big thank you to John for stepping in to lead this walk in Janet's place.
Look closely and see the enormous spider on the left of his nursery web
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Nearly full tide and we got our feet wet!!
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