Xmas Day BBQ & Short Walk - Shelly Beach Helensville

Greeting All, We are going to Shelly Beach - Helensville for a Xmas BBQ, we will do a short stroll along the river behind Helensville and then onto Shelly Beach. This is a classic Kiwi Beach Day - BBQ, sand, sun, water, food, good times. You can go for a swim (once the water comes in) - it is a safe beach. There are toilets and a wharf at Shelly Beach.

Duration: You decide how long to stay.
Distance: Not Far (45 minute stroll).
Difficulty: 1.0 on our 1-5 scale for day hikes.

Important Notes & Updates:
Bring Food and Drink you require for the BBQ. I will bring a BBQ, If you have a BBQ please bring it with you. Bring any beach toys you wish, football, volley ball etc...
Children are welcome, but they are your responsibility. Jumping off the wharf is also your responsibility. Care should be taken.

High tide is: 16:05pm

Everyone is to bring a Xmas gift - Not to cost more than $10. (Secret Santa) Google if you have not heard of Secret Santa.

• The hike is on boardwalks and footpaths.

Preparation:
No shops are open in New Zealand for Xmas Day - only petrol stations.

• Know how to get to your Meeting Place.
• Prepare everything you need to bring for a good time.

Meeting Places:

• Victoria Park New World for car pooling
• 104 Commercial Road Helensville
• 1-3 Shelly Beach Road Shelly Beach

Carpooling:

• Carpooling will be arranged for everyone meeting at New World after we arrive there (transport permitting; you can read more details here (https://www.meetup.com/auckland-hiking/pages/Transport_and_Carpooling)).
• If you need a ride from New World there's no need to arrange this in advance - just answer the RSVP question on this.
• If you want a ride or can offer rides from another location, you can mention this in Conversation below and contact each other to arrange.
• Each carpool passenger from New World is asked to give $15 to driver.

Time Guideline:

• 10:15 - Good time to arrive at New World, meet & greet
• 10:30 - Latest time to arrive at New World, arrange carpooling
• 11:30 - Everyone arrive 104 Commercial Road Road Helensville for introductions and short stroll.
• 12:15 - Leave for Shelly Beach
• 12:45 - All arrive at Shelly Beach for BBQ. Hike Description:
  Starting from 104 Commercial Road we will walk along the river, return via the main road. An easy 45 minute stroll. At Shelly Beach there will be an opportunity to explore the coastline.

Bring:

• lunch and drink
• clothing suitable for summer.
• footwear suitable for easy walking surfaces.
• sun or rain protection
• towel and swimming gear (if interested to swim)
• first-aid items

Notes:
(1) Have fun
(2) We aim to leave New World and start the hike exactly on time, and are unlikely to wait for late people. Arriving early is good :-)

(3) It is safer and generally more fun to hike together as a group. We aim to do this with stops at all track junctions for group to regather. However, there's no guarantee this will happen so prepare well for this hike in case you become separated from group.

See you Xmas Day - Chris