Walks: Exploring Motukaraka Island

Eager walker David Mallowes affords recommendations about enjoyable and attention-grabbing routes folks can take to get some train and benefit from the space in his newest column.

About 500 metres off the Beachlands shoreline sits a 5.7-hectare bush-clad island, related by a low tide sandspit.

It’s excellent for a enjoyable household stroll from Beachlands or as a cease on an extended coastal stroll from Pine Harbour in direction of Omana and Maraetai.

That is very a lot a low tide stroll, so examine the low tide peak by way of the MetService or different app or web site.

A peak of 0.6m is superior, 1.2m remains to be walkable, and if any increased you then’ll have to stroll out and again proper on low tide time.

For a 1.8km household stroll, park by the Motukaraka Reserve on Puriri Highway in Beachlands and straight entry the sandspit.

For a 4km coastal there and again stroll begin from Pine Harbour. Perhaps a espresso and morning tea at one of many cafe/eating places.

Then, supercharged, head throughout the grass to the gate on the marina aspect of the boat drystack.

Cross, then comply with the trail and monitor alongside the shoreline – a dry walkway by means of a coastal wetland, duck underneath a couple of pohutukawa bushes, comply with the foreshore, and after about 10 minutes you’ll see Motukaraka forward.

For an extendable 5km loop stroll, proceed the 4km route alongside the foreshore.

The shoreline round to Sunkist Bay has suffered severely from erosion and the route requires affordable steadiness and footwear with good tread.

There are ledges to barter, barnacles to be cautious of. Return by way of the low-density authentic streets of the older Beachlands.

All the time do the stroll out to the island earlier than the flip of the tide. Advisable to put on sturdy footwear and be cautious of soppy sand and slippery areas.

Greatest to forego venturing onto the island, benefit from the view again to Beachlands, have a relaxation, then head again. It’s a little bit of a scramble up a clay path to get onto the island, there usually are not any views or clearly marked tracks.

Bathrooms – at Pine Harbour and at Sunkist Bay. Playground at Sunkist Bay. Unsuitable for prams. Canines solely allowed at Sunkist Bay over summer season in evenings and earlier than 10am.

For extra data, photographs, and stroll video hyperlink, go to Fb web page WalksOutEast.