What we’re about
Welcome to Auckland Amblers & Nature Enthusiasts Walking Event Group.
- Because not all who wander want to rush.
( Ambler - someone who walks at a leisurely pace - backpacker, nomad, saunterer, drifter, slow hiker, gypsy, tramp, pedestrian - For exercise, pleasure, to stroll ) .
Please Read all the Group Information Here . You may prefer to Do this in several stages, so you are familiar with the reasons we are known as Auckland Amblers .
Be sure you have a Clear recognizable
Face picture of yourself, close up, without wearing sunglasses. Use your First name, and perhaps only your surname Initial, like Stephen F, or Margaret K, or Amid R. This keeps your identity not searchable. If you're photo is acceptable, your membership will be cancelled.
We share rides and cars to get to our Events, so having a clear recent photo of yourself keeps everyone honest and the people happy involved with Carpooling. 👍
We are a friendly, easy going, nature walking group for people who enjoy the outdoors at a comfortable pace. We Amblers, or slower hiking enthusiasts explore scenic bush tracks and urban streets, and green reserves around Auckland and surrounding regions, the Waikato and Northland sometimes. .at a leisurely pace.
We focus on slowing down and looking around, with low to moderate walks and hikes where we can connect, and soak it up in nature together.
If you like the idea of :
# Walking without rushing.
# Exploring native NZ Bush , Beaches, Waterfalls, and hidden off the Beaten Paths, this is your Group.
# Chatting with a diverse welcoming group of new friends from around the world.
# Enjoying the journey, taking photos, and relaxing lunches, and breaks, more than the finish line...you've found your people.
Jump straight in and become an Auckland Ambler now !
Guided Walking and Hiking with Experienced Guide and Organiser Stephen F. I'm a story teller and an active reader of past history about our early Auckland settlers, with a passion for bringing people together - ' to visit the landscape of my heart' ...a phrase I've borrowed from one of my most admired authors, Mary D. Woodward whose writing about the Bethells Beach families and her neighbours along the west coast beaches of the Waitakere Ranges...on the edge of the Tasman Sea, and her family's legacy, as much of the information comes from her grandfather , John Bethell , mostly known as Pa Bethell , and his daughter Alice , the author Mary's, mother who was the youngest daughter ..
I gratefully acknowledge the help of so many other Waitakere Ranges authors, including Sir Bob Harvey, and John Diamond, and also my many years of being a member also of another Auckland walking club, the OAC, also known as The Outdoors Activities Club, associated with Anawhata Beach , and my own Mother, who introduced me to Scouts as a teenager, and got us as a family of 4 boys, into the Waitakere Ranges by early years of living here, exploring the tracks, away from school days, our family weekends camping and tramping, as we called Hiking back in the 1980s and 90s and beyond...I am most grateful to my parents, who are no longer with us, whom took the time to help their children become young men and walking, tramping leaders , and now I carry on with my stories, of the many years we all spent learning so much about walking in nature, in the weekends away from the suburban life of Balmoral, and other places around Auckland I have lived for over 50 years.
My involvement with Past Meet Up Groups, like Feet First , and Intrepid Walking Groups I founded in 2010, has brought me close to many people... I've personally interacted with for many decades, has been an invaluable resource, , adding to, and complementing my stories of many years of experience guiding outdoor activities in Auckland now that I approach life beyond 60...
And like so many of my information I've learned from other books , about NZ Trees and Plants, it's Native birds and other species, that's My Why, as a born and bred kiwi, a proud pakeha, that has a strong interest in learning about trees and plants and mindfulness walking, now , from a life time spent outdoors in Auckland's Waitakere Ranges and the North Shore , Waikato other places around New Zealand .
Let me introduce you to more of my landscape of my heart' outdoor walking trails around Auckland and Beyond, and let's keep active, being healthy, eating and exploring by foot and other transport, as throughout, from the first meeting Carpark, to the trailhead and last return Track , and more...I gratefully acknowledge we all must have areas of interest, and reasons to come out walking and hiking in the scenery that inspired others before us , to make new memories now. For that I'm very proud to still want to lead and organize groups again, if you're willing to follow me .and others from time to time.. around the ' landscapes of my heart'.
Who Should Join Auckland Amblers and Nature Enthusiasts?
# Anyone who enjoys nature, light to medium, and sometimes more challenging walking and hiking group Events.
# Especially those who prefer a ' Stop and Smell the Flowers ' pace .
# Whether you are new to Auckland, new to Hiking or Returning after a break , or just want a more cruisey day outdoors together, you're welcome here.
What to Expect
# Bush walks and Hiking Events 3 to 5 hours .
# Urban Street Mid Week after Work Walking 2 to 3 hours.
# Local Trails in the Waitakere Ranges and North Shore areas of Auckland.
# Nature Appreciation Tree, Plants, and Birds ID chats , learning about the things we see along the way.
# All weather Walks and Hiking - By making clothing adjustments and using a hiking pole, grippy shoes or boots, we can be outside most of the year.
# Smiles, fresh air, and maybe Fish n Chips, Coffee or perhaps a Beer after!
#Hot Pools Visits and Underground Cave Walking, Stalagmites and Glow Worms and Pizza and Music after.
# Standing under Waterfalls for the brave or silly.
Relaxing Walks and Gentle Hiking, Good Chats and Leafy Views ..
Slowing Down and Looking Around.
Because Not All Who Wander want to Rush ...
Join and become an Auckland Ambler today , as a founding member in 2025.