Keen walker David Mallowes offers suggestions about fun and interesting routes people can take to get some exercise and enjoy the area in his new column.
Maraetai Beach, Omana Beach and Regional Park is a great walk for school holidays with playgrounds, beaches, barbecues, regenerating forest, a pa site, farm, and a mangrove walk.
Lovely views of Waiheke and Rangitoto, Omana Beach and Maraetai.
There are seven free barbecues available at Omana Regional Park, three bookable.
One to two hours, 7km. For a printed map annotated with many waypoints, visit www.facebook.com/walksouteastauckland or use the QR code to an online route map.
Like a longer 10-plus km walk? Extend at either end to Umupuia (Duders) Beach or to Motukaraka Island (at low tide) and Beachlands.
Shorter? Complete just the Omana Regional Park or the Maraetai loop.
Park inside the entrance to the park or at the adjacent beach. Head along the beach to the end and follow the track around to Maraetai to a picnic area and cafes.
On the way there or returning, vary the walk by following the beaches.
Follow our map or the large signs to the farm park walk, loop around the campground and back along the clifftops.
Within the park you will likely see free ranging guinea fowl, mallard ducks, paradise shelducks, plovers, pukeko, sheep, chickens, goats and pigs.
Underfoot: All reasonably flat, the farm park, beach frontages, and track to Maraetai are all stroller friendly. Dogs are not permitted in the farm park. Children are very welcome.
Playgrounds: Omana Regional Park, Omana Beach, and Maraetai Beach.
Restrooms: Campground, Regional Park, Omana Beach, Maraetai Beach.
Cafes: At Maraetai Beach.
Checklist: Water bottle, sunscreen, sunhat, mobile phone, mini first-aid kit, map/directions print-out.
For an online route map to follow, scan this QR code: www.alltrails.com/explore/map/draft-maraetai-omana-beachlands-889fbd1
