Day Trips in the Waitakere Ranges

WAITAKERES

http://www.arc.govt.nz/albany/main/parks/our-parks/parks-in-the-region/waitakere-ranges/

A.U.T.C Hut via public transport

Length: 6 hours to Hut from Swanson and 6 hours back to Swanson (approx.)

Transport: Train and bus.

For this trip you can catch the train out to Swanson from Britomart,
which only costs a few dollars per passenger, then walk out to the
A.U.T.C Hut to stay the night. There are serval different routes that
you can take from Swanson to the Hut, so its best to consult an
up-to-date Waitakeres map to decide which is best for you. Then on
Sunday you can go back via an alternative route, for example, the
cascades, where you will get to see giant Kauri, and pass through the
`Ark in the Park’ open bird sanctuary. The trains don’t turn up on
Sunday, but you can catch a bus back to Britomart, see http://www.maxx.co.nz/ for details.

A.U.T.C Hut via private transport

Length: 40 mins to Hut from car park on Anawhata Road, via Ridge Road Track.

Transport: Private cars.

A.U.T.C Hut is available for use by club members for free. It is
usually a good idea to check with a committee member first before going
out there, that said, members are encouraged to use this facility.
Several trips can be lead from the Hut, the most popular are; north to
the Cascades, West towards Anawhata beach and Piha beach. A good
swimming hole for summer can be found about 20 mins down R.G.B track
from the Hut, called pig wallow stream.

Ahu-Ahu Loop track

Length: 3 hours return (approx.)

Transport: Private cars.

Drive down AhuAhu Road, which turns off Piha Road, between Karekare
and Piha. It then turns into Log Race Road.This track begins at the end
of Log Race road, starting at Mercer Bay loop walk track which passes
the over the cliffs beside Karekare, and then down Comans track to
Karekare beach, there are beautiful sea views, and the cliff tops are
fringed with Kowhai and Clematis. The best time to go is in Spring when
the Kowhai and Clematis are flowering, you will usually get to see Tui
feeding on the Kowhai flowers as well, the track then goes over to
Karekare beach. You can take the inland track back, AhuAhu track for
variety.

Te Henga/Goldie Bush Walkway

Length-7 hours (approx.)

Transport: Private cars.

From Bethells Road the Te Henga Walkway crosses the Waitakere River
by footbridge, rising along a section nicknamed Old Burma Rd, to
amazing views of lagoons, sand dunes and the west coast surf. It
follows along the cliff-top where you can sometimes see gannets diving
for fish. The track exits, through a farm valley, to Constable Rd. You
can get back to Bethells beach by following the Mokoroa stream, for a
loop walk, the track isn’t well marked though, so if you aren’t sure
about it, just go back along Goldie track.

Whatipu beach walk

Length: 5 hours return. (approx).

Transport: Private cars.

Park at the car park. Then walk past the Whatipu campground and then
follow Gibbons track, there are beautiful views of Whatipu beach, then
turn off onto Muir track, then down into the Pararaha valley, then over
the sand hills, through the swamp and out onto Whatipu beach. Don’t
swim at the beach, because it is very dangerous! This can be turned
into an overnight trip by camping at the Whatipu campsite or the little
known cave campsite, about 15 mins walk from the carpark.

Fairy Falls walk

Length: 2 hours (approx.)

Transport: Private cars.

Park at the Fairy Falls car park on Scenic Drive. Walk down past the
falls, these make a good place for a lunch stop. The track goes past
kauri, and through the bush, a very good track for beginner trampers,
since if anything goes wrong it is very close to civilization!