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This gentle walk is a great way to get a snapshot of Waiuku, and is perhaps best enjoyed when the tide is mostly in.
The path starts at the Welcome to Waiuku sign, near the little Victoria Avenue station run by the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
The Glenbrook Vintage Railway opened in 1977 and is run by volunteers who maintain and operate the service. During the operating season (October-June), 30,000 passengers jump aboard this steam train attraction.
The path eventually turns into a gravel track, so it is best suited to strollers that can go on mixed terrain if you have young children.
The walk follows the Waiuku Stream before heading up to Kitchener Road. Cross the road using the pedestrian crossing and get onto River Lane.
The Te Ara Wai/River Lane Esplanade Reserve is part of the historic Waiuku (or Te Pai O Kaiwaka) portage, a Māori portage route connecting the Waikato River with the Manukau Harbour. You will see wharf-like piles that tie together both sides of the river’s edge.
A series of information panels is dotted along this section of the path, so you can learn about Waiuku’s unique history.
You can add an optional 15 minutes onto your walk by turning right after crossing King Street and heading up the eastern side of the inlet. To keep the walk under an hour, turn left instead and walk towards Tamakae Reserve.
Grab some shade under the white gazebo that looks out across the Waiuku River.
You will cross over a walking bridge before going into Ngaati Urupikia/Riverside Drive Recreation Reserve. There is plenty of green space to pause for a sit-down and admire the scenery.
As you near the end of the path, you will go through an area home to the native Banded Rail (Moho Pererū) bird. They’re tricky to spot, as they camouflage under the cover of wetland vegetation.
The path ends at the pedestrian access way onto Riverside Drive. Turn around and head back the way you came.
