The largest city in New Zealand has beautiful museums and parks and is entered from the north via a series of coastal communities.
TA Day 19, Dragon’s Spell to beach near Pakiri – 39 km
The views are astounding on the Mangawhai Cliffs, after a long road walk, Blissful camps on Pakiri Beach.
TA Day 20 – Pakiri beach to Dome Forest – 26 km
From Pakiri beach, it’s straight up into muddy bush and views from Mt Tamahunga before the Dome Forest.
TA Day 21, Dome forest to Puhoi – 34 km
It’s “tramping track” through the Dome Forest, one boardwalk section of Kauri, and a long walk to Puhoi.
TA Day 22, Puhoi to Wenderholm – 7 km + 1 km
Blissful waits out the tides at the Puhoi Pub, then kayaks down the river to Wenderholm.
TA Day 23, Wenderholm to Stillwater, 30 km
The tides must be timed to walk the beautiful rocky beach near Orewa, then it’s road to Stillwater.
TA Day 24, Stillwater to Auckland, 33 km + 4 km
After water up to the navel in Okura Estuary, it’s a beautiful walk down the North Shore to Auckland.
TA Day 25, zero day, Auckland
Absolutely exhausted from a month of walking, Blissful takes a well-deserved rest day, or “zero.”
TA Day 26, ‘slackpack’ Auckland – 9 km
“Slackpacking” is section-backpacking while sleeping in the same place each night.
TA Day 27, ‘slackpack’ Auckland – 18 km
It’s a rainy day for slackpacking up Maungakiecke and through Jellicoe Park to Manukau Bay.
TA Day 28, ‘slackpack’ Mangere Bridge to Totara Park – 36 km
The trail winds south through Ambury Park, reclaimed coastal wetlands and past the airport.
TA audio narrative: gratitude
I just happened to be passing through Auckland at Thanksgiving and have a lot to be grateful for.