Category Archives: Walks in Auckland South

Puhinui Reserve Walkway

Posted on May 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Puhinui Reserve Walkway was another new discovery for us today.  It is a huge (199 hectares of rural landscape) undeveloped area out near Auckland Airport.  Puhinui Reserve Walkway will eventually link up with Te Araroa – The Long Pathway.

Copy of IMG 2971 300x225 Puhinui Reserve Walkway Puhinui Reserve forms part of the extensive Matukuturua volcanic field and is linked with pre-European settlements centred around Wiri Mountain (which has been extensively quarried) and Matukutura (McLaughlins Mountain).

Copy of IMG 2974 300x225 Puhinui Reserve WalkwayThe area is used for a 3 day equestrian event once a year.  It is a great area for safe family cycling on mountain bikes.

Dogs are not permitted as it is a conservation area for birdlife (such as the rare or endangered NZ Dotterel, wrybill, fernbird, and black stilt).

Take a picnic – there are no nearby cafes.

Copy of IMG 2973 300x225 Puhinui Reserve Walkway

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Botanic Gardens and Totara Park Loops

Posted on March 31, 2012 | 2 Comments

Totara park Track 300x225 Botanic Gardens and Totara Park LoopsA beautiful sunny morning made our trip south for a walk around the Auckland Botanic Gardens and Totara Park and the Puhinui Stream forest, a wonderful experience.

We had set out to do a 5km walk but we ended up getting lost due to poor signage.

There was a good side to getting lost 1) we walked further than we had planned and 2) we found a look-out that we did not know existed which gave us a clear view all the way to the Auckland city skyline and across to Manukau Harbour.

The Puhinui Stream Forest Trail (the full loop trail is approx 4 kms) in Totara Park was gorgeous with the sunlight dappling the native ferns and palms. The trail took us past beautiful totara, puriri, nikau and kauri trees. We enjoyed soaking up the beauty of the lush native forest.

Puhinui Stream 300x225 Botanic Gardens and Totara Park LoopsThere are great spots to stop and picnic along the trail and children’s playground areas (including a  children’s flying fox). Dogs on-leash on the trail, but there are off-leash areas. It makes for a great family day out.

Miko Cafe 150x150 Botanic Gardens and Totara Park Loops Miko Cafe at Auckland Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre provided us with much needed refreshments.

Find this walk and more at the Walks Store

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Mangere Mountain

Posted on October 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

Mangere 1 300x225 Mangere MountainI have driven past Mangere Mountain many times without realising where it was. I knew of it, but hadn’t seen it. I discovered it last year and found that it’s a huge and unspoiled volcano with fabulous views across the Manukau Harbour.

Mangere Mountain has little exposure from the motorway to the airport, but on it’s western side it looms high (106 metres above sea level), from the Harbour shores. This volcano does not have paved paths and roads like Mt Eden or One Tree Hill. It erupted about 18,000 years ago and is in the most original condition.

There is a children’s playground and an off-leash dog area.  Mangere Village has several cafes, and nearby attractions are
Otuataua Stonefields historic reserve and Ambury Park.

View from Mangere Mountain 300x225 Mangere Mountain

To get this walk and more, visit the Walks Store

Suggested Cafés:
Ruby Red Café and others in Mangere Bridge Village

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Posted in Volcano and crater walks in Auckland, Walks in Auckland South

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