On a beautiful day typical of the preceding summer, 14 ABTC members arrived at Matiatia wharf, Waiheke
Island off the 9 am ferry for a walk to Palm Beach.
After a prayer by joint leader David Walker,
we walked up thru the Atawhai Whenua Reserve to the main village of Oneroa. 30 years earlier, the reserve
had been largely bare farm country, but thanks to the exhaustive work led by a great local conservationist,
Don Chapple, the area is now densely clad in native bush. Sadly Don died suddenly, just as the planting
of his beloved project was nearing completion.
We continued along the beautiful Oneroa beach with
several boats moored in the bay enjoying the splendid weather and environment. We stopped briefly at
St Peters Church on the scenic headland that separates Oneroa and little Oneroa to which we then descended.
The climb up the cliff face track from Little Oneroa was steep but the bay and northern seascape views
were more than ample reward.
We continued around the coastal road, then dropped steeply on the
walkway to Hekerua and Sandy Bays. We ascended again by Coromandel Rd to the view above Palm Beach before
dropping by another steep track to the actual beach, also known as Matapana Bay, by 1.30pm for a late
lunch.
The group enjoyed lunch at the beautiful Palm Beach reserve. As Colin had to depart at that
point, David took over as sole leader to ably guide the group back to Oneroa and Matiatia by bus, returning
on the 3 pm ferry to Auckland City.
A very enjoyable walk in splendid late Autumn weather was
enjoyed by all.
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