Auckland Baptist Tramping Club 2004

A brilliant windless afternoon brought out over 25 people to explore the southern end of Orewa. It was originally planned to do a walk on the Fairhaven Walk area of Arkles Bay, but a reccie of that area found that this walk, clearly shown on maps, was in fact almost non-existent, going for about 50 metres at its south end before petering out into nothing. 8 people left The Bracken in two cars at 1:30pm to meet up with the rest at the carpark just over the bridge into Orewa coming from Silverdale. We set out along the north side of the Orewa estuary along the Millennium Walkway, going through the Western Reserve before following a coastal strip between houses and the mangroves. We came to the Centrestage theatre and crossed a long footbridge to the Orewa school grounds. A walk through the school grounds brought us to the Orewa College playing fields. Along the edge of the fields, beside the estuary, was a fitness trail providing some on-track entertainment for the children. We carried on along a coastal reserve, having been warned to wear boots or strong shoes because of the slushiness of the grass. However, a long spell of dry weather had made it not so bad underfoot. Eventually we reached Kath Hooper Drive and went inland to roadbash to the Mayne Reserve and its lovely man-made lake. We took our time walking around the lake and its mirror-smooth waters, islands and birdlife. Afterwards we walked Riverside Rd to the intersection with Centreway Rd, and people were able to choose from walking directly back to the cars, walking along Orewa Beach to the end or coffeeing at a cafe on the Hibiscus Coast Highway. Needless to say, most of us took the last option.

A short walk brought us back to our cars as a lovely afternoon began to turn to evening, about 5pm. Carole’s car wouldn’t start - praise God there was someone nearby who offered the use of his jumper leads, and within minutes her carload was heading back to The Bracken as the sun set in the western sky. COST: $5