Archives

Twilight Rambles, 2014

Twilight Rambles
Last year’s Twilight Ramble into an ‘ancient’ forest on Rorohara.

Enjoy a Twilight Ramble on Waiheke Island (35 minutes by ferry from Auckland) each Tuesday during January, beginning at 6 p.m. and ending around  8 p.m. The Rambles are run by Forest and Bird and open to all, with a free sausage sizzle at the end of each walk. Good walking shoes are recommended.

This is a wonderful opportunity to explore new areas of Waiheke Island as some walks are not normally open to the public. This year the Rambles begin with a walk along the Eco Village’s newly made track at Awaawaroa. Last year Bruce Plested opened his property, Rorohara, for a Ramble and, after leading us deep within the heart of an ‘ancient’ forest, local storyteller, Tanya Batt entertained us with the thought-provoking story, The Blossom Tree. It showed how people of all ages love stories, for when Tanya asked if we wanted another story, we all said “yes.” It was a heartfelt experience. And it attracted the largest number of people I have ever seen on these Rambles. So how did our sausage sizzle stretch for so many people? Bruce sent for more sausages – so many in fact that after having seconds, there were more to spare! His generosity was much appreciated.

Hearing a Story

Rorohara attracted the largest number of walkers ever!
Rorohara attracted the largest number of walkers ever!

Twilight Rambles for 2014

January 07 – Awaawaroa Eco Village Walk

Meet at 5.45 p.m. at the start of the Eco Village driveway off Awaawaroa Road. Follow the signs off the main road and continue along the driveway to the flag.

Overlooking the walk to the Eco Village, which is on the right.
Overlooking the road to the Eco Village, on the right.
January 14 – Onetangi Reserve

Meet at 5:45 p.m. at the corner of Waiheke Road and Third Avenue in Onetangi and look for the ‘Twilight Rambles’ white flag.

Bird Reserve, Onetang

Bird Reserve

January 21 – Park Point in Church Bay

Meet at 5:45 at the end of Park Point Drive. This is a very scenic coastal walk with about eight hundred steps. However the leisurely pace makes it seem easy.

Park Point
Park Point
View from Park Point coastal track
View from Park Point coastal track
January 28 – Whakanewha Nikau Track

Meet at 5:45 p.m. at the Gordon’s Road car park in Whakanewha. This walk is one of my favourites, and where I take friends when they visit the island.

Nikau Grove
Nikau Grove
Nikau Walk, Whakanewha
Nikau walkway, Whakanewha

Related

Waiheke Walking Festival, 2014

November 11, 2014
Waiheke Island (just 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland) is holding its fifth annual Walking Festival beginning Saturday, November 15 through to Sunday, November 23. There are walks for all ages and stages of fitness. Many new and varied walks have been added this year, some crossing private land not normally accessible…