More Than Just A Sandy Beach

by Beate
(NZ)

A sandy beach is what we got on first sight at Karekare Beach.

Discovering what lay above the shoreline past Karekare Point and beyond the cliffs gives a new dimension.

For many Karekare is a surfing location in natural conditions. On colder days we usually walked along the beach until one day I read about the tunnel point the campsite there and its historic connections to the timber milling industry in West Auckland.

This was reason enough to start walking away from the beach closer to the cliffs. There past Cowan Point a path leads towards the old tunnel where once New Zealand's forest giants were manoeuvred through. It is like a journey into a different location, the vast stretches of sand are replaced by spinifex gras, cabbage trees and weather, wind, and salt withstanding pohutukawa trees.

Passing through the tunnel, and we stood right in the middle of a wind sheltered and peaceful area. There a basic campsite gives opportunity to experience a night in the bush and wetlands.

Starting point: Karekare car park
Duration: return about 1.5 h going straight without side tracks, from Car park, past Pohutukawa Glade, Karekare point, Cowan Point, Tunnel Point and to Paraha Stream and then return along the sea. Since it is a place that invites to look around and take photographs etc. the time is a mere guide.


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