Okahuiti catchment, 22 June 2008 3pm

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This week, mid-winter, we will explore a catchment — the gathering of water that ultimately becomes a body such as a wetland or a stream. In particular, we will circumnavigate an upper arm of the Okahuiti catchment and later loop around the wetland itself. One highlight will be a visit to Ces Thomas’ wetland in Crescent Road where a weedy wilderness has been transformed by patience and with love into a place of beauty and inspiration. If you are lucky you will see kokopu, (native fish) or tuna, the small eel that resides in the stream, and be greeted in the bush below the house by a friendly fantail.

Meet at the bus-stop on the corner of Te Toki Road and Crescent Rd East at 3pm.

Note that while every care is taken, these walks are at your own risk. All welcome.

POSTSCRIPT
If you feel like flexing your muscles, there is going to be a working bee in the Te Toki field from 10 to 12 on the same day. Bring secateurs, loppers, spades etc. The plan is to give the weeds between the new path and Wilma Rd a bit of a fright.

Blackpool ramble, Sunday 15 June 3pm

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This is an exploration of Blackpool Beach and some of its possibly lesser known walkways and connections. We'll start at the end of Tui Street, cross the stream and head East along the beach. At the end of the esplanade we climb the new track up to Makora Avenue, walk all along its lovely bush clad contour, and take some shortcuts back to the Blackpool Flats. Then we will continue on to Te Huruhi reserve which has its own public loop track around the Pony club area. This walk should be quite easy, it will take about 1.5 hr.

Te Whau Coastal walk, Sunday 8 June, 3pm

This Sunday we are going to do a beautiful coastal walk to the tip of Te Whau peninsula. This walk will take a bit of time and there is quite a distance to cover, but it is arguably one of the best walks on the island.
We'll meet at the same place we gathered for our Rocky Bay walk: at the beginning of Te Whau Drive. See the map below. After descending down to the bay, we will head west to follow the coastline all the way to Te Whau Point. This walk meanders around headlands and empty bays, and joins the road via a steep track up the hill. Allow up to 3 hours for this walk.


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Orapiu and Pearl Bay, Sunday 1 June 3.30pm

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We shall meet at the Orapiu Wharf carpark. Carpoolers please meet at the Ostend Carpool site at 3pm.

This walk will be hosted by Sharon Adrichem who has been involved with weed control in the area and who will also show us what is being planned for the Orapiu Lodge property. We will mostly follow a paper road, Hunterville Road and make our way to Pearl Bay. Then we will return to the main road, crossing a section of private land, and return to Orapiu. Please note that you can't complet this loop without prior permission from the landowner(s). We'll explore the beach at Orapiu Bay and have a look at the proposals for the Lodge property. Part of the reason for this walk is to draw attention to this development at the far end of the island. Submissions for or against the development are due on the 7th June.

Forest & Bird Sunday Walk 25-5-8

You are invited to join us for a walk on Sunday the 25th May. Meet at the Owhanake Bay carpark at the end of Korora Road for a wetland, coastal track and regenerating forest exploration. A bit of everything, with some interesting surprises along the way.


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The walk will take about 2 hours and is moderate / easy with a few steep climbs. All welcome, join us at your own risk.
More information: phone Janet Hunt 372 2450 or Jan Ramp 372 8992.

Waiheke Walkways

I'm testing Google Maps to see if we can put all the Waiheke Walkways on one map, so we get a handy tool for visitors to the island and people interesting in finding walkways on Waiheke. This is a work in progress.


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