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A group of 19, including 4 Saturday-only walkers, braved the elements to make the best of a weekend on
Waiheke Island.
Most arrived on the 9am ferry though some had arrived the day before. We set
off north/east from the ferry terminal around the Matiatia Farm estate, which was developed into affluent
lifestyle blocks and luxurious residences a decade or so ago. An extensive network of walkways is part
of the development, which the club has enjoyed on several occasions now. The rain held off for the most
part and good, if cloudy, views were hinted at, of the Hauraki Gulf across to Coromandel and Great Barrier
Island and also back to Auckland. A snack was enjoyed on the cliffs before Cable Bay, before carrying
on past Owhanake Bay, Fossil Bay and the Auckland University research vineyard where rain [not wine]
dampened us somewhat.
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However, we dried out during an enjoyable picnic lunch in Oneroa village, and spirits were restored
sufficiently that all elected to carry on along Oneroa Beach, Little Oneroa and the headlands above Hekerua
Bay, before dropping down to Hekerua Lodge, a backpacker establishment where most of the 15 weekenders
were accommodated. A communal dinner was later greatly enjoyed at the nearby Surfdale Bowling Club.
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Sunday brought the direst of weather forecasts - Southerly gales, thunderstorms locally and near
record October snow storms in the central North Island - so the planned coast to coast walk from Onetangi
Beach to Whakanewha Regional park was abandoned. Instead, we walked via Surfdale Beach, Blackpool Beach
and part of the Church Bay lifestyle block estate before threatening heavy rain had us proceed more directly
to Matiatia for cappuccinos, lattes and a picnic lunch. Most then returned to Auckland on the 1 pm ferry.
We avoided most of the forecast weather for a far more enjoyable weekend than earlier appeared likely.
This was also due to the positive and cheerful attitude of all the trampers which was greatly appreciated
and encouraging to local leaders Colin and May Bourke, assisted by Joy Whitehead. In fact, Joy, Nelson
Young and Glenda Hammond enjoyed an extra nite or two on the Island.
It has been suggested that,
if there is enough interest, the Onetangi/Whakanewha component we missed might be enjoyed as a day,
or weekend trip towards the end of the coming summer, even if on an informal, weather provisional basis.
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