Posts Tagged ‘Matakana’

Matakana to Dome Tearooms SH1

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Thursday 11th March

From Matakana township up the valley and then up the hill soon joining the track through the Waiwhiu valley and up again to the Dome summit, then down to the Dome tearooms on SH1 just north of Warkworth – 21.6 km – 5.5 hours

One day the Matakana dogleg of busy roads will be replaced by the Western Tamahunga track. But not yet, so up the valley road from the township to the hills, and then winding up and up to a minor road turnoff. Along that road with views out to the north as far as the Mangawhai Cliffs and Whangarei Heads which I now know a lot better than a week ago.

Then to the start of the tramping track that goes first along a forest road, then wends its way down a ridge line into the Waiwhiu Valley. The track winds its way on the hill side of the stream for a while, then does a quick dive across the stream at a place of large boulders, and then out into the open on a forestry road. A side road then goes up the other side of the valley, before the tramping track resumes near the top. That then follows the ridge line around to the Dome summit (with views out to Omaha / Kawau), and then heads down to the end of the track on the side of SH1

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Mangawhai to Matakana

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

Wednesday 10th March

Te Arai beach – Pakiri – up and over Mt Tamahunga – roads to Matakana – 31.4 km – 7.6 hours

Onto the top end of Te Arai beach, then down the beach, with Te Arai Point to climb over part way along. Then on for another couple of hours to Pakiri – with racing horses training their silky riders on the beach for something a little different. An easy wade through the Pakiri river near the mouth, and then via a dusty road to the start of the real hill section for the day.

This climbed steeply up through dry paddocks to a ridge top with views to the north and then up and down, and then up again to the top of Mt Tamahunga, now with views out east to Omaha and Kawau Island. Down the other side, onto a road, that soon became the busy road from Leigh to Matakana.

Now able to stay at home in Auckland, so a chance to catch up with my blog .. and the rest .. while I finish off the last of the north Auckland section in the next few days

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What is the Best Walk in Auckland?

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

The great weather just continues!  What amazing weather for getting out and about, and what better way to take advantage of these great summer days than enjoying some of this city’s great walks.

What is the best walk in Auckland?

As a dedicated city walker, and a strong Shore man, my vote would be the North Shore Coastal Walk.  At a really low tide you can get from Devonport to Long Bay and only have to leave the water’s edge once!  But if the tide is high, then you have to do some city-walking – it is still a great walk.

In December I walked from Devonport to Long Bay in just over 4 hours, and that included a nice coffee in Browns Bay.  What a great way to spend a Sunday morning – especially in summer.

On that day we carried on – after walking the Long Bay Reserve, we timed it right to get across the Okura estuary at low tide and eventually finished the day with a cold Lion Red outside the Puhoi pub.  After 57Km we needed a cold beer.  We carried on the next day – walking a section of Te Araroa – and finished our 100Km weekend in Matakana for another Lion Red!

Bit out of my comfort zone for a city walker – so next time I will stick to the city, and maybe even venture over the bridge ….. or perhaps somewhere out west!  Now that would really be outside my comfort zone!!

City Walker

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When does 1hr 20min mean just that?

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

Can anyone tell me what the protocol is for time on walks? When does 1hr 20min mean just that? Was on a walk just out of Matakana today – and the time stamped on the sign did not match the 50min it took to complete the walk.

I appreciate we all walk at different speeds – so it begs the question. Is there a protocol established for these times. i.e. is it the average / the mean / the mid point? I am not sure.

I appreciate the difficulties given the type of terrain, nature of the trails, conditions of track etc – but a standard protocol may give people a better idea of what they are in for.

Maybe what is needed is a standard time measure (lets say the mean) with a +/- rating for people who are on either side of the bell curve.

I am just a simple man – I am sure others will have better ideas; but before the debate starts someone maybe able to advise whether there is already something in place???

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