On the south side of Waiheke Island, Whakanewha Regional Park is an area of outstanding beauty and is known for its mature coastal forest with taraire, kohekohe and old kanuka trees, cascading streams, and sweeping crescent-shaped beach cut in two by a forested headland.
This year the Walking Festival will showcase the recently upgraded Tarata Track. Numbers are very limited so Park Rangers will give three separate guided walks (the first one for walkers with dogs) along the track.
Many of the trees along the Tarata Track are hundreds of years old and some just a few years old. You will be able to note the diversity, the old forest is dominated by taraire, kohekohe and nikau with the occasional ancient pohutakawa and puriri or massive rata. The newer trees are kanuka, mahoe, punga, mamangi and a number of other coprosmas. And just listen to the birds!
Wednesday 2 November, start times are as follows: 4.30pm Dog Walkers led by Barbara Wilkinson and four-legged friend, Elvis; 5pm led by Dan Beauchamp, 5.30pm led by Beatty Wiggenhauser.
All these walks start from the Carson’s Road (direction airfield) car park at Whakanewha Regional Park. If you are coming from Auckland catch the 3pm ferry and a Special bus will meet you (return bus fare $20). This walk takes about two hours and will end back at the car park. Special bus return to ferry terminal.
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