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Twenty-two people turned up for an easy 2 hour stroll along the Mahurangi River frontage and into Kowhai
Park. A visit to the local icecream shop guaranteed that nobody lost any weight. Barbara spoke about
her family that settled in the area in the 1970's and their contribution to the beautification of Warkworth.
We set out from Rivendell Place downstream from the main part of Warkworth town, and followed a short track through bush skirting the mangroves to come out to a large open grassed area. Soon we came to the main street of Warkworth, and went down to the shore of the Mahurangi River and followed the riverside track past the town wharf to finish at the old bridge. The walk was very pleasant with good weather and picturesque scenery. Remnants of early industry in the area could still be seen along with regenerating native bush. One sight to mar the afternoon was the wanton destruction of young pittosporums along the side of the river track. Obviously not everyone who ventures out into our beautiful countryside appreciates the beauty of God's creation or the efforts of others to conserve it. There were two bridges - the original bridge is now a footbridge on the upstream side of the main road bridge. We carried on past several shops and crossed the Matakana Road to enter Kowhai Park. This circular walk through regenerating bush passed historic limestone kilns and follows a small stream. Heading back into Warkworth township we crossed the bridge for a short walk along the upper reaches of the Mahurangi river. This was a pleasant bush walk leading to a viewpoint where we could see a small waterfall. We returned to the bridge and had our mandatory ice cream stop before heading the way we came back to Rivendell Place and homewards. COST: $10 |