Okura Bush Walk - Part 2

My girlfriends and I talked about organizing activities apart from sitting around the dining table each time we catch up! Facebook's group profiles has made organizing this a lot easier for us! Today finally, we are going for that first walk we've talked about for months! The day started overcast and didn't look all too promising for us but a phone call and a few text messages later confirmed all three friends are still keen to go ahead.

We decided to meet at my parents' as it is more central to all of us. Little Kylie was keen to come and we were a bit concerned if she was fit to do the walk or not but she insisted. Allow me to tell you about today's walk thru the pictures we took along the way. I have the photos in small sizes for quicker loading purposes but do click on them to enlarge.

The walk starts at the end of Duck Creek Road in Stillwater. Past the boating club, continue driving until you get to the caravan park; the public car park is directly opposite. There is a public toilet and a playground here.
The walk goes through private land which runs along the Weiti River until you come out into the open area where the coastal route starts. From here, there is a short walk along the beach before reaching the start of the overland track.
We found the walk quite interesting! The walk offers a mixture of terrain from bush to water and sand and some parts private lands. At low tide you can take the coastal route, just be prepared to get a bit of mud on your walking shoes.The first half of the walk involves a bit of maneuvering through overgrown grass which you need to be a bit careful with if you're wearing shorts or sleeveless tops as they could cut or scratch your skin especially if you have little ones with you. Aside from that, the walk is quite easy. During rainy season, it will be a bit muddy and probably even slippery. So need a bit of caution there.After twenty to fifteen minutes, you'll come to the top and just before you start to go downhill, keep an eye to viewing point on your left. You'll be rewarded by the awesome view of Karepiro Bay and Dacre Point. This is something you won't see if you decide to take the coastal route:
From here on, the walk is pretty much down hill and after a good stretch of walking under the canopy of trees and Nikau Palms, you'll be going down through steps. According to our youngest team member Kylie, there are about 135 steps. The last flight of stairs offers a small platform where you can take in the sea views, Dacre Point and Dacre Cottage:We had the cottage to ourselves for the couple of hours we stayed there apart from one walker who did not stop but only took photos along the coastline and the other just ran past us on his way to Okura Bush Reserve.It was low-tide when we decided to head back taking the overland track again. Apart from negotiating going up the stairs which can be a challenge if you've been a couch potato for a while; our return felt a lot easier and a lot shorter:

 Because we thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, we've decided to make our walks regular and unanimously made Kylie a special member of our CCQ Activity Group after proving to us she has more gas than her mother or myself! My first thing to do when I got back was add her profile to the group.

Okura Bush Walk - North Auckland

I'd go for a walk every weekend if I had someone to walk with. So last weekend when my friend asked if I'd join her for a gelato after sharing lunch at church, I bargained and got her to come and walk with me after enjoying our gelato! If you are looking for a nice bit of ice cream on a warm summer afternoon, head down to Birkenhead and you might even get lucky to enjoy the moonlighters playing by the side road as you enjoy your cup or cone of yummy refreshing gelato! Click to enlarge photos:

I didn't think I'd finish my double servings of gelato but I did. Then I went and took a few shots while my friend finished hers. I did ask permission from the lady at the shop. We sat there a bit longer enjoying the Jazz tunes from the moonlighters. Most North Shore residents would have met them at the markets. They can sing and I ended up buying their CD. Then we drove to Haigh Acces Road for our afternoon walk. I've never done this walk before although I've always wanted to do it. I just don't feel safe walking alone in the bush for 3 hours.

Haigh Access Road is off East Coast Road and the walk starts at the end of the road. The car park was rather crowded so I had no choice but park by the curb 200 metres or so from the parking bays. I am aware of the problem of car theft in this car park but I brushed my concern away. I was just keen to be able to go for the walk and really enjoy this beautiful summer afternoon. Our walk started here:

We started a bit late in the afternoon and having been unwell the past few weeks, we decided to just take a leisurely stroll. After crossing the bridge over the Okura River, my friend stopped and gave a big sigh...sigh of relief that is and said "this is really nice, it feels so good'; I smiled and felt grateful to hear her say that. I was a bit concerned as I know she is not like me who likes roughing it out!


The track is quite good because the ground was dry and most of the slopes are paved with wooden walkways! We were both quite busy looking around if not above us just enjoying the chance to walk under the canopy of trees and the rustling of their leaves playing with the gentle breeze above us!

We met couples coming the other way and there were quite a lot of them. Others passed us along the way which we didn't mind. The walk is really good but I would not recommend it for mom and dads with very little kids unless dad is willing to piggy back for a couple of hours.

As we progressed closer to the Dacre Cottage, I was starting to think about my car being left alone in the car park. At the back of my mind I kept a tally of the number of couples that we met along the way and that was at least five of them, which means five cars less in the car park. I toyed around the idea of finishing the walk but something was telling me to head back. So about 15minutes before we get t to the Cottage, we turned around and started our way back!

A pigeon feeding on Nikau berries

twin Kauri

the VW that was broken into

after three phone calls-an officer was despatched

Half way through, a couple caught up with us and almost came out into the car park at the same time. They put their back packs into the boot of their car and then they were gone. Next to their car was a brand new black VW cross polo! It attracted my curiosity but I was focused on trying to take some photos and my friend was trying to find a way to get to the wild roses.

We were sitting on the grass in front of the VW when another couple emerged from the bush. They were a young Kiwi couple and they're parked behind my car along the curb. The guy asked if the VW was my car and then pointed out the smashed window! To make the story short, this car has been done! Not my car which I am so grateful for. I have always have a strong intuition and I am not surprise why I decided to head back instead of finish the walk.

This weekend I have a couple of friends walking with me and I have decided to do the other half of this walk. In light of what happened last weekend, we've decided to do the other half from Stillwater where the carpark is much more secure. Looking forward to the next half of Okura Bush Walk!