Walks: Exploring Waitawa Regional Park

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 for Eastern Times.

Four walking loops, four sheltered beaches, mountain biking, disc golf, fishing, kayaking, swimming, picnicking, horse riding – there’s so much to do!

Just 10 minutes from Clevedon, Waitawa Regional Park is a coastal recreational reserve at the western end of Kawakawa Bay.

A perfect day out from anywhere in East Auckland, we often stop en route at the Lime Tree Cafe in Whitford, or at Clevedon for excellent fish and chips opposite the Z station.

There are well-signposted 4km, 6km, 8km and 12km loops.

Much of the Puweto loop is rolling farmland with rural views, and about a third is coastal with stunning vistas to Karamurama (McCallums), Pakihi and Ponui Islands.

I suggest you hike this early or late in the day, or in autumn.

There’s a wetland to circumnavigate, and the coastal section includes the pretty Waitawa Bay.

A large fallen tree across the beach is hazardous, and there’s a recommended detour.

The track from the loop to Mataitai Bay is well worth the effort.

You can also drive to the bay, but it’s much more enjoyable to walk it and focus on the views.

At the beach, there are three free barbecues, an outdoor shower, excellent toilet facilities, and lots of parking.

A short walk leads behind a headland to the Waitawa Wharf, an unusual t-shaped wharf, very busy with anglers on a Sunday morning.

The third walk to the immense Pawhetau Pa was the highlight of our day.

Wow, impressive fortifications (try and visualise it with defensive pallisades), views of Kawakawa Bay and of many islands, each often perfectly framed by huge pohutakawa.

To me, this is a bucket list must-do walk. An easy hike across a flat paddock until you reach the fortifications, then a bit of a scramble.

Access by parking at the park entrance, the track gate is to the right, only 1km each way.

Dogs – prohibited in campground, facilities areas, and mountain bike tracks all year round. Prohibited in the park from July 1 to December 1, on-leash at other times.

I’ve uploaded many photos and maps to www.facebook.com/walksouteastauckland.

• Also, an aerial view one-minute video, see the QR code: www.relive.com/view/vWqBdJMkyQO.
• Like to walk with others? Visit the www.meetup.com website, search for walking or hiking in the Auckland area. A friendly group that welcomes new walkers and walks for three to four hours at a moderate speed is Intrepid Auckland Walking Adventures, and there are many others.