AUCKLAND TRAILBLAZERS - HIKING & URBAN NATURE WALKING GROUP

Hi all .

Let's enjoy these weekends finally of Spring Sunshine now that the weather is getting warmer, and we have Daylight Savings.
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Join us on Auckland Trailblazers for a Sunday afternoon/evening Urban Walk with your quirky extroverted host Stephen F, as we explore Waiatarua Reserve on the boundary of Remuera and Meadowbank, featuring wide open green spaces and pathways..
surrounded by Wetlands, small bush walking areas, on the edge of Remuera Golf Course and the Stonefields Residential Subdivision where we will also explore, before getting off the concrete foot paths to visit Winifred Huggins Woodlands on the side of Mt Wellington/ Maungarei...where we will get up to the Summit for some incredible views of all of Auckland.

At a Glance -

When - Sunday November 9th , 2025.

Meet and Greet is 3.30pm.

Where Meeting - Carpark Entry to Waiatarua Reserve opposite 6 Grand Drive, Remuera.

Adult Guests Welcome today.

With a finish around 8pm, around sunset.

About 3 to 4 hours of easy going walking. Good fitness required for some short stair challenges and off the concrete walking on the grassed areas on Mt Wellington/Maungarei.

Roughly 8km approx.

Wear strong walking shoes or boots and carry everything you Need for the Afternoon Evening Walk. Bring sun protection today...carry water and snacks with plenty of protein to keep yourself happy outdoors.

Wear or have a warm base layer to put on when we stop. It's not summer yet.

No Dogs or Smokers or Children today.

Ideally suited for people looking for great social connections and gentle exercise, we stop lots to rest and take pictures.

Beginning first at Waiatarua Reserve, this is the biggest urban wetland restoration project in the country, smack in the middle of Auckland suburbia, about 20 hectares in size..There's also plenty of dry flat parkland, and pathways we will follow...plus a wide variety of both kind and sea birds, and plenty of four legged dogs on leashes...and some running free...following their owners..

We then visit nearby Stonefields Residential Subdivision on the other side of the Remuera Golf Course here alongside Waiatarua Reserve. Stonefields Residents enjoy an unique micro climate, as this large area was previously a huge Winstones Quarry...supplying Auckland with Rock for decades, building roads and buildings etc..

On the foothills of the beautiful Mt Wellington/ Maungarei , Stonefields Subdivision has thousands of people living here...there's a school, and shops so we may possibly stop for ice cream or something similar..before walking south to the Winifred Huggins Woodlands on the sides of Mt Wellington.

These Woodlands have recently had a makeover, and there's now easier access, with pathways and steps...making it easier..But this is a patch of serenity in the heart of industrial Mt Wellington, and there's many trees here, that have a long history of being here ..planted by ' tree lady of Dingle Dell fame at St Heliers..and her team of volunteers in the 1970s. There's trees here not seen elsewhere around Auckland .

Winifred Huggins , an english school teacher, founded the St Heliers Beautifying Society in 1950. And the Auckland Tree Society in 1953 and was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community, inspired by the beauty of English Woodlands.. she decided to plant trees that weren't nz native, so look out for oak, ash, beech, sweet gum, holly, walnut, birch...and perhaps a few nz natives..

There's also plenty of birds, and other things to look at, splendid views over Stonefields where we were previously...and at the Summit of Mt Wellington...more views of Waiatarua Reserve..and all over the Auckland CBD..and towards the west, east and north and south.

Hopefully there's something for everyone's pleasure here to connect with nature today...And I think Winifred would be happy with her woodland.

Carpooling- Transportation-

Add a Note below with your Mobile number and Area where you live and contact each other. Take a bus along Abbotts Way or something similar.

Afterwards we can grab hot food and drinks at the various Suburban Restaurant here on Lunn Ave ..or simply go home ..

Any questions or suggestions please contact me.

See you on Sunday Afternoon .

Happy Walking Everyone .

Kind regards Stephen French
Auckland Trailblazers Organiser
Mob 0274 779495

Hi all.

Join Us for some Underground Walking Adventures as we visit Nikau Cave and Cafe today south west of Auckland about 90 minutes away ..Location is south of Port Waikato, near Limestone Downs, inland a few km at Waikaretu, Nikau Cave and Cafe here, in the Waikato Region, is not Advertised in Auckland.

They are a small family business located in the middle of nowhere ville, in a rural sheep farming community near Glen Murray, crossing over the Waikato River at Mercer, after coming down Highway one, its an hour plus easy scenic drive to reach this hidden oasis.

Adult Cost is $65. Children still at School $30.

The main event is optional, walking underneath the farm, there's Limestone Formations here in huge numbers, Stalagtites and Mites, and millions of Glow Worms, all up close today without any barriers...you're Guided by the Nikau Cave Adventure Guides...following an underground stream , for an hour, emerging at the top of the Woodwards farm.

They also have a huge highly popular destination for people looking for great country food, at Nikau Cave, alongside the business of Cave Tours.

Think massive pizza...in four sizes, and equally as delicious other meals, they cater for all tastes, vegetarian options and vegan too.. Brewing their own coffee, and other drinks, sweet treats and food choices for quality time together outdoors or in here today, many people arrive for the food only..

There's also an easy one hour return bush track to view the Waterfall, or stand under to cool down on a hot day.

I've been bringing people together here for many years, And its a fabulous opportunity to get out of Auckland for the day.

Groups of 10 go through the two main caves, starting at the Carpark opposite the farm.. They supply a safety helmet and a hand held torch. We wear strong walking shoes and clothes for caves, bringing a change for the Cafe Lunch opportunities.

And Waterfall walk, a day trip away from Auckland, here , is a combination of country scenery, and a photographers dream for the landscape..wilderness area here and peaceful surroundings.

✨ Walk 1 km underground beneath thousands of glow worms that sparkle like stars.
💦 Wander through a natural limestone stream (yes, your feet will get wet!).
🌳 Visit a nearby waterfall where you can stand right underneath it!
🍕 Finish up with homemade pizza, coffee, and country charm at the famous Nikau Café.

It’s not just a hike — it’s an adventure for the senses, with laughter, connection, and nature’s magic at every turn.

🗓 Saturday 15 November
💰 $65 per person (paid on the day)
🚗 Carpool options available — we’ll help connect drivers and passengers.

If you’re craving something new, refreshing, and full of “wow” moments, come along — numbers are limited, so hit Join/Going soon to secure your spot!

📍 More info & RSVP → [Meetup event link]
💻 Learn about the caves → www.nikaucave.co.nz

Can’t wait to explore this hidden Waikato wonder with you all!
— Stephen F.
Auckland Trailblazers 🚶‍♂️

Greetings -

Join Us for another Auckland Trailblazers Hiking Group Guided Nature Adventure, this Saturday 8th November 2025, at Te Rau Puriri Regional Park at South Head , 30 min drive from the popular Hot Pools at Parakai Hot Springs and Slides , which is an optional after hike opportunity..to refresh your mind and body, in the Hot thermal indoors pool, or take a ride down the tubes...from high ..

Today's hike , at Te Rau Puriri Regional Park starts by ... Walking downhill over rolling pastureland and open farmland, overlooking the Kaipara Harbour, NZ largest enclosed Harbour, and the second largest in the world...

We follow several pathways from the carpark that we share with people riding their horses here occasionally, then get off the beaten tracks here, and do a bit of bush bashing, more up and down trail hiking, its a fun way to combine easy rural walking , with the Kaipara Harbour always available to see..

Our Destination is some older ponds, that are now filled with colorful Lily...and we will enjoy some well earned rest and food with other Trailblazers. Swimming opportunities for anyone interested in the sea here too. Nice toilets here .

Lots of Shaded trees..

We return walking around the edge of the beautiful Kaipara Harbour, on the outgoing tide ..and its mostly flat beach walking.., and back to cars up through the farm tracks we started with...completing a large loop .

Roughly 10km of Easy Going Walking. We will stop lots to rest and take pictures and talk about the things we see along the way like trees and plants and listening to the birds..

Destination Carpark is at Te Rau Puriri Regional Park at 2911 South Head Road.

Meeting at 11am .

Look out for me wearing Orange Shirt.

We should be finished around 4.30 - 5pm.

Please bring strong walking shoes or boots, carry everything you Need for the Days Activities, in a small backpack, bringing food, snacks and water. Be sure you bring warm layers..and a rain jacket..It's not summer yet..and Auckland weather always changes.

Toilets here .

We will have a $2 or $5 collection before we hike, pay accordingly to your income.

Carpooling- Transportation

Add a Note below with your Mobile number and Area where you live and contact each other. Give your Driver some money, ideally $20 cash. Bring a change of footwear .

Driving via State Highway 16 , out beyond West Auckland, and Henderson, we pass all the rural towns nearby like Kumeu and Waimauku , and eventually Parakai Hot Springs...there's then about 30 minutes more of rural drive in the countryside...a deer farm here to see...and other special stuff..

After Hike Activity- Parakai Hot Springs and Slides. Naturally heated with geothermal mineral water.

Indoor Hot Pools and Outside. Adult Cost is $35 or Senior over 60 - $25 .

Address is 150 Parkhurst Road . Parakai.
Hot Food and Cold Drinks is Available here .

SEE here for inspiration www.parakaisprings.co.nz

See you at Te Rau Puriri Regional Park this Saturday
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Bring sun protection today..

And let the adventures begin with Auckland Trailblazers..

Cheers Stephen F.
Mob 0274 779495

Greetings All-

Whatipu Beach is famous for being at the mouth of the Manakau Harbour and edge of the mighty Tasman Sea at the bottom end of the Southern Waitakere Ranges. And lots of Hiking Options.

Today's long days hike with Auckland Trailblazers Hiking Group goes the opposite direction, walking North towards Karekare Beach, we will visit the stunning hidden Pararaha Valley , which has a Campground, and a type of river/big stream which has some deeper pools up stream from the Campground, where depending on interest we will enjoy a cool down dip in the fresh water here, while others not swimming can relax at the shelter here, under trees.

Whatipu Beach and Pararaha Valley was the site of large Saw Mills , after huge Kauri Trees here were cut down all along the coast, many people lived at Whatipu Beach, they had a school, hotels and accommodation here in the 1860s. A popular destination for new immigrants wanting to make their fortune..

One enterprising family , the Gibbons, came all the way from Novia Scotia, bringing their own ship and saw mill.

Today's long and demanding walk from Whatipu to Pararaha Valley, starts off on the Gibbons Track, climbing up some steeper sections of the Waitakere Ranges here for our first hour..then levels out as we hike north towards the Pararaha Valley, south of Karekare Beach.

Gibbons Track is one of the best Coastal Tracks for exceptional views initially in this Coastal Forest, then out towards the Tasman Sea, before we drop down more tracks into the Pararaha Valley for our extended lunch break, swimming opportunities and shaded trees here and toilets.

A lush hidden valley I describe like being in the Grand Canyon in America, it's breathtakingly beautiful, remote and wild, isolated, a fabulous destination to camp overnight, I first visited here many decades as a teenager scout. There was a hut here, and we spent many years exploring the waterfalls up stream, so expect to be inspired by the beauty here too.

After a long lunch break, we walk out to the entrance to the Pararaha Valley, to see the large sand dunes, and then we walk south along the black sand beach, back to Whatipu, alongside the Tasman Sea.

Before we head up into the wilderness area and hill, we will visit a huge Cave here, where in former years , formal dancing was held on a Saturday night...the floor of the cave had a Kauri Dancing Area...its a fabulous opportunity to see, and imagine socializing here in the 1880s and beyond ..nowadays that dance floor is buried under the sand. We sometimes gather here for Christmas...do Secret Santa and eat .

At a Glance -

Track Length About 14km Loop.

Walking Time - 6 hours approx.

Track Quality- Gibbons and Muir and Pararaha, Excellent. Firm and professionally engineered for the new Kauri Tree Die Back Standards.

Walk Difficulty - Moderate..Good fitness required and strong grippy walking shoes for the Days Activities here.

Highlights- Wilderness seashore, Coastal Bush, Rainforest, Open stream valley. Coastal views north and south..Historical interest. Swimming opportunities option.

WHEN - SATURDAY 6th December. 2025.

Meet and Greet is 9.30am.

We have to be early as this is a popular destination Carpark for lots of Aucklanders.

Where Meeting - End of Whatipu Road...Beach Parking here and Toilets..

We will expect to be back at the Cars between 4 and 5pm depending on numbers and overall group fitness.

On Auckland Trailblazers Hiking Group we stop lots to rest and take pictures and talk about the things we see along the way..Not suitable for fast-paced walkers and anyone not interested in photography or historical interest. Please choose another group.

Bring along everything you need to keep yourself warm and happy and fed and hydrated for today's long time Hiking and Exercising.

Wear strong walking shoes or boots and carry everything in a small to medium backpack..Swimming stuff, sunscreen. Extra drinking water is available today at The Pararaha Valley Campground area.

No dogs or Smokers or Children today please.

We will have a Gold Coin or Donation Collection before we hike towards the Website and putting on these events for your pleasure and socializing interests.

Carpooling - Transportation..Organise this amongst yourselves prior to the Event..Add your Mobile number and Area where you live and contact each other. I suggest you give your Driver at least $20..

Plan on being at a popular Destination for Aucklanders, so allow Extra travel time other than what Google Map link here shows..In fairness to others who plan their route, we cannot wait for anyone late today.

Hiking pole, one or two is highly recommended today.

This is a slower-paced bush walking and coastal adventure with Auckland Trailblazers.

PM me if you need help with Carpooling etc.

You do not need to be a Meet Up plus member.

Keep checking here for updates.

Summer Season is coming.

Cheers Stephen French.
Mob 0274 779495
Auckland Trailblazers Hiking Group Organiser.