TRIP SNIP: Explore Auckland - North Shore from Little Shoal Bay, 4 June 2024
Twenty WOPpers met at Little Shoal Bay, headed through Dudding Park Sportsfield and eventually up to Onewa Road. With a little road walking, we reached Onepoto Domain, a huge crater-shaped domain that was formed by an eruption 20,000 to 30,000 years ago. The domain is perfect for all sorts of activities and provides a good hike as there are three loops which all head back towards the toilets and two small freshwater lakes within the domain. The lakes are a favourite location for people racing radio-controlled boats and model sailboats. We stopped there for morning tea before hiking the three loops.
Next we did a section of Tuff Crater before walking over the motorway on the overhead footbridge to nowhere, except a great view of the city. Then on to Woodside Ave and into the newly reopened Kauri Glen Reserve.
Although the Kauri Glen forest has been milled for kauri, some large trees of 200-300 years in age remain, along with many other large native trees. Here we stopped for lunch before continuing to the new treetop boardwalk, 60 metres long and 18 metres off the ground – very impressive. The new boardwalk and laminated bridge span a steep gully in the reserve, allowing access to the forest canopy.
From here we retraced our steps into Tuff Crater and back through Le Roys Bush to observe the damage Cyclone Gabrielle has caused. A very interesting series of pathways that I know I couldn't retrace. Many thanks to Elizabeth who put in a lot of time and effort to take us on this interesting circuit.
Carol Walker
Click here to see photos by Val
