This article was first published in the Tararua Tramper Volume 95, no 5, June 2023
Whitireia Park wander
Wednesday 26 April 2023
Nine keen trampers met on a cold and blustery morning at Onepoto boatsheds, Titahi Bay. Our object was to amble at a relaxed pace around the picturesque bays and spectacular cliffs adjoining the Titahi Bay golf course.
Accompanied by seagulls, and a freezing southerly wind, we set off, thankful for the warm clothing we'd brought along.
Our group of nine split into two. Seven elected to do the Easy walk (which included a short scramble up a cliff). The other two kept to the flat areas and treated the walk as a Ramble. Walking soon became much more pleasant, as the hills sheltered us from cold southerly winds. A flock of spoonbills was spotted feeding in the tidal shallows of the inlet. (I nearly wrote ‘a spock of floonbills’, dear reader, but this would have been a spoonerism).
Morning tea was enjoyed sitting at a picnic table on the shore of Onehunga Bay, where Kupe is thought to have left a stone anchor from his canoe.
Next, we climbed up a cliff path through gorse to emerge on open tussock overlooking rocky coves, with magnificent panoramic views of Plimmerton to the north, and Mana Island out to the west.
We reached a road near Titahi Bay radio masts and posed for a cheerful group photo. After this, thanks to a helpful navigational suggestion from Michele, we pioneered a new cross country route eastwards, skirting the golf course perimeter.
It was time for a relaxed lunch in the sun on a grassy slope, overlooking Onehunga Bay below. Some of us even had a siesta.
We returned to the carpark via an inland gully track. David handed out free feijoas to everyone. It had been a most enjoyable, and fruitful day.
- Party members
- Alan Benge (leader and scribe), Ann Bond, David Campbell, Michele Dickson, Kerry Popplewell, Liz Martin, Jocelyn Syme. Margaret Foden and Peter Nixon went on the ramble. All were club members.