|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Keen walker David Mallowes offers suggestions about fun and interesting routes people can take to get some exercise and enjoy the area in his latest column for our sister newspaper, Eastern Times.
Most of the 28km coastline from the Panmure Bridge to the Whitford Bridge is walkable at low tide.
We found it a fun challenge to complete it all, one part at a time. So, where to start?
From the Panmure Bridge, the Rotary Walkway follows the Tamaki River with beautiful views over to Tahuna Torea.
Continue to the boardwalk over the Wakaaranga Creek. From there a number of walkways, three reserves, and a few short quiet streets will lead you to secluded small bays and Compass Point, and on to Half Moon Bay Marina.
For the beach walk to the Mangemangeroa Walkway, first follow the impressive boardwalk to Little Bucklands and Big Bucklands beaches.
From here you need to read the tide charts then time the tides right.
Most of the coastline can be walked an hour either side of low tide, on a very low tide (about 0.3m) then maybe two hours either side.
If you’re inexperienced at walking on mudflats or rocky headlands, first some suggestions:
- Walk with someone else, carry a whistle as well as a mobile phone and a snack and water.
- Wear footwear with good deep treads, be prepared to possibly get ankles wet.
- Try to walk on sunny days when the sand or silt is drying out.
- A stick or pole can check the depth of silt and is great for aiding balance.
- Walk carefully on rocky headlands, and try to step only on dry rocks.
The stroll around Musick Point is quite easy. There’s a sandstone bar you can wade around or climb down from using toe-holds.
The iconic long white sand stretch of Eastern Beach will come into view.
From Eastern Beach there are small headlands and flat reef areas as you progress to Mellons Bay, Howick Beach, Cockle Bay, Shelly Park Beach and on up the Mangemangeroa Walkway to Whitford Bridge. Mission accomplished!
Every part of the walk is scenic and cliffs between the beaches offer great wind shelter.
For more information on the sectors of this walk, visit www.facebook.com/walksouteastauckland.
