Walk Details

NZ Walking Routes > Auckland > South Auckland > Awaroa Walkway - Howick

Awaroa Walkway - Howick

Location
The Awaroa Walkway runs from Shelly Park Beach, Howick, to Musick Point. There are a number of access points along the Walkway, which follows the coastline, or if the tide is full, reserves and roads. Main Access points are Sandspit, Cockle Bay, Howick Beach, Mellons Bay, Eastern Beach and Musick Point.
Description

Awaroa means ‘long river’ in Maori and refers to Tamaki Strait, the long stretch of sea between Musick Point and south of Maraetai that may look like a long river. The complete walkway takes from 4-5, although shorter sections are recommended.

Sandspit to Cockle Bay

The tidal route starts from the Shelly Park Sandspit around the cliff to Cockle Bay. Walk carefully over the sandstone, as it may be slippery. The landward track starts at Shelly Park Sandspit. The route follows the shell-covered path zigzagging up the bush covered coastal face to a memorial seat. Views of extensive farmlands and Cruise Bay, named after Major Cruise who accompanied the French explorer D’Urville who mapped this area in 1821. Broomfield’s cottage is visible beneath the Norfolk Island Pine at the end of Broomfields Road opposite. The route follows up Sandspit Road 50 metres to a concrete path to Callender Place. Walk up to View Road and follow on to Tui Vale and Pah Road corner between 92A and 94, follow down this valley, on ka shell path fringed with ferns and bush alongside a stream to Cockle Bay Beach, emerging near Windross Restaurant, formerly in Cook Street, built in 1898.

Cockle Bay to Howick Beach

At the eastern end of Cockle Bay a pohutukawa tree stands where a Maori legend records that Manawatere, a chief from Hawaiiki passed on his way to Maraetai and left his mark here in red ochre. A Second World War concrete gun emplacement nearby was part of New Zealand’s defence against Japanes attack in 1942. A concrete path leads up through a defensive ditch, part of Tuwakamana Paa, an important fortified Maori village of the Ngaitai people, the tangatawhenua of this area. The tidal route crosses the stream at the Western end, and follows the shoreline to Howick. The landward route crosses over the footbridge near the children’s play area and picnic ground. The trail passes another World War 2 gun emplacement and climbs to Tainui Road, passing gardens with views of the beach. Follow Cockle Bay Road, to Granger Road, and turn into Island View Terrace and Rangitoto View Road, with views of the coastline.

Howick Beach to Mellons Bay

World War 2 gun emplacements are visible at each end of Howick Beach and piles from an 1895 wharf at low tide. Howick was the largest of the Fencible settlements established to protect Auckland in 1847. The tidal route to Mellons Bay follows around the cliff, passing close to the Howick reef. An alternative route from Howick Beach follows up Marine Parade, along the grassed reserve, with extensive coastal views then down the track to Fisherman’s Rock to continue along the beach to Mellons Bay. The landward route follows from Howick Beach, turning past Uxbridge Road, up Beach Road, then down Mellons Bay Road to the beach.

Mellons Bay to Eastern Beach

Mellons Bay is named after William Mellon, a fencible who lived here in 1856. The tidal route follows the sandy beach, past another World War 2 gun emplacement, and a wild pigeon colony, around sandstone shelves to Eastern Beach. The landward route follows up the path to Page Point, with views of the beach. The walkway follows Bleakhouse Road to MacLeans Reserve. There are views to Browns Island, Rangitoto, Motutapu, Motuihe and Waiheke. A path leads down to Eastern Beach.Eastern Beach to Musick Point.

Eastern Beach is another sandy, popular beach for swimming, water skiing and cockles. The route follows the beach close to the Phoenix palms planted in 1918. The tidal route follows the beach and rock platforms to Musick Point. There are interesting strata and rock formations, rock pools as well as, shag and kingfisher nests to see. The landward route follows a concrete track from the northern end up to Clovelly Road. Walk along Clovelly Road to Musick Point Road. Access to the beach is between numbers 76 and 78 and 40 and 42 Clovelly Road. Musick Point Road passes through the Howick Golf Course. A plaque near the defensive ditch separates Waiarohia Paa from the hinterland. There is a concrete bunker erected in 1942, which housed an emergency radio station for air and shipping should Musick Point Aeradio Station be damaged by enemy action. Telecom now uses the radio station. Remains of an ancient Maori village can be seen with pits, houses and middens near Naupata Point as well as shiny leafed coprosma. The view from Musick Point of the Auckland Harbour, Tamaki Strait, and the offshore islands is magnificent.

Amenities
  • Birds
  • Carpark
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Historical
  • Picnics
  • Plant Life
  • Swimming
Source
www.welcome2manukau.com
Discussion
Comment on this walk. (3 comments).