We began our walk at the Wattle Bay Reserve Carpark in Canberra Avenue, Lynfield. After following a concrete path down to Wattle Bay, we then turned left along a board walk which led around the cliffs to the far end of Wattle Bay. We then made our way up a steep track which leads to Cape Horn Road. Half way up this track we explored a new track which branches off to the right up to a view point on Cape Horn which overlooks the Manukau Harbour. From Cape Horn Road we went to the turn-around at the end of the road and followed nearly 300 steps down to Waikowhai Park. Waikowhai (kowhai by the water) boasts the largest block of native forest left in Auckland city. Originally part of a grant to the Wesley Mission, the land was considered too infertile for farming, so was not cleared. The area was once extremely popular as a holiday spot. The remains of the old bathing shed were seen. Today, the forest hosts a valuable sample of Auckland’s original fauna and flora. In spring, the valley is ablaze with yellow flowering kowhai, and it is worth a visit to enjoy the antics of numerous tui, rosellas, oyster catchers and the occasional kingfisher. After crossing the park and climbing to the Lookout near the children’s playground, we followed a track which led towards Wesley Bay and then onto a new track which runs through Captains Bush Reserve, a beautiful area of Puriri, Kohekohe and Kowhai trees, abounding with Tuis, Fantails, Grey Warbler and the occasional Wood Pigeon (Kereru) where we paused to listen to the bird song. The track then led down to Wesley Bay. After walking a short distance along the beach we returned via a coastal track, an old road, to the carpark at Waikowhai Playground where most cars were parked.