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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.
The coastline from Howick Beach to Cockle Bay to Shelly Park Beach to the Mangemangeroa Walkway is all easily walkable on a very low tide.
This is an interesting walk checking out headlands and bays and cliffs, sheltered from southerly and south-westerly winds, and peaceful.
Check MetService for low tide times and tide heights. On a 1m low tide, the water is knee-deep on a sandy base for about 500 metres.
You just need to watch for the occasional small rock, and fallen tree branches.
On a warm day, the wading was actually fun and enjoyable.
For a 0.3 metre tide, you can walk on a dry sandy base, the last 300 metres to Cockle Bay may be a little slippery.
There’s a small sandy bay between Howick Beach and Cockle Bay, an interesting concrete construction, and Pohutukawa trees clinging precariously to the top edge of the cliffs.
The erosion has been significant over the last few years and in places is creeping up to houses.
At Shelly Park you come to a small sandy beach, then a pretty estuarine area facing over to Whitford.
Backing onto the bush hillside is the Shelly Park Cruising Club boat haul-out, a few metres on is the end of the Mangemangeroa trail, and another option of quite a few steps up to Sandspit Road.
Last week we chose to back-track to Cockle Bay then a couple of kilometres of scenic hill roads.
The Tainui Track starts from behind the playground, cross the bridge and continue on to Howick Beach.
Footwear – highly recommend runners with good tread or hiking boots.
Low tides – best when about 0.3m to 0.4m.
Dogs – yes, must be under control.
Playground – Cockle Bay.
Toilets – Howick Beach and Cockle Bay.
For maps and further information, visit www.facebook.com/walksouteastauckland or follow the QR code below to the Relive website: www.relive.com/view/vrqojWwo7K6
The next edition of the Times will feature the coastline from Eastern Beach to Howick Beach and the following issue will be on the Mangemangeroa Walkway.
Earlier publications and the Walks Out East Facebook page describe coastline walks that together link from the Panmure Bridge to the Whitford Bridge.
Like to walk with others? The Beachlands Walking Group meets on Mondays at 9am, 35 local walks. Email petercwebster@icloud.com for meeting point details.
