Auckland Baptist Tramping Club

Twelve of us decided that a light drizzly rain was not enough to stop going on a walk from Southdown to Onehunga long the coastal walkway, then across the old Mangere Bridge to the other side. Two car loads left The Bracken at 1:30pm to meet up with the others at the end of Hugo Johnson Drive in Southdown. After the usual intros and karakia we set out along the Manukau Coastal Walkway, which had recently been done up as a walkway/cycleway. The wide concrete track crossed over the Southdown freight branch railway, and we saw a train shunting. The track split up into two parts - the cycleway and the walkway, which we followed passing through an area of mangroves. The walkway soon reunited with the cycleway. As we carried on a straight course due west, we could look out across the Mangere Inlet to Mangere with its bridges and mountain in the distance. Later we passed the Waikaraka Cemetery. The walkway came out on Onehunga Harbour Rd near the new Mangere Bridge. We crossed the old Mangere Bridge that has been a walking/cycling bridge for almost 25 years since the new Mangere Bridge was opened. The reserve on the other side of the bridge made a welcome break for afternoon tea under the shelter of some large trees. As we continued along Kiwi Esplanade to Mangere Domain a strong wind sprung up. A pohutukawa ablaze with red was a reminder that Christmas and summer were on their way.

We returned to the reserve, and the drivers were taken back to Southdown in two cars, including June’s sister who very kindly gave of her time to do this. Four of us had a wait of about twenty minutes for the cars to return. COST: $2