Walks: Cockle Bay parks, reserves and beaches

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There are stunning scenes to take in during the walk along the coast. Photos supplied David Mallowes

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.

We’re very fortunate in east Auckland to have many beautiful parks and reserves.

This walk features 20 in Cockle Bay so walk part or all at your leisure, an adventure for children too.

6km or 8km, hilly, fast walkers about one hour and 15 minutes, slower maybe two hours.

Set out from the site of the Howick Markets on Picton Street next to Hancocks Cafe, head east to Cook Street.

You’ll loop through Paparoa Park down to Cockle Bay, over to Howick Beach with an optional detour, and back up to Howick Village for lunch or a coffee.

To see details of this walk, visit www.facebook.com/walksouteastauckland (includes printable maps of the route).

You’ll pass by or through the Howick Village Green (opposite the start), Hawthornden Reserve, Evelyn Park, Bert Wilson Park, a grass walkway from Bemrose Place, Paparoa Park, Bella’s Park, John Gill Park, Cockle Bay Domain, Cockle Bay Reserve, Cockle Bay, Cockle Bay playground, Tainui Reserve, Waikiteroa Reserve, the Nun’s Walk, Star of the Sea Historic Place, Howick Beach, Nixon Centennial Park, Howick Library, the Garden of Memories, and Fencible Walk Park.

Toilets – Howick Village, Cockle Bay, Howick Beach.

Playgrounds – John Gill Park, Cockle Bay, Selwyn Road Nixon Centennial Park.

Dogs – Yes, all dog-friendly, must be on-leash.

Volunteering – Would you like to assist from time to time maintaining some local parks and reserves?

Volunteers meet weekly and some Saturdays to improve and replant the Page Point and MacDonald Walkways and the McLeay Reserve bush in Mellons Bay.

Visit the Facebook page ‘MellonsBayWalkways’ for more information or phone 0275 277 667.

There’s also an excellent group led by Barry Wood who work weekly vastly improving the Cockle Bay Beach walkways, Facebook page ‘Cockle Bay Residents and Ratepayers’.

Like to walk with others? The Howick Tramping Club are very welcoming – www.sporty.co.nz/howicktramping/Home, meet on the third Wednesday of each month at Pakuranga Croquet Club rooms.