‘Welcome to Auckland’s best dog park.’ That’s not the sign hanging over the entrance to this 20-hectare reserve, but it should be.
Waiatarua is a dog walker’s delight. The entire reserve is off-leash, allowing dogs the freedom to run and roam over large tracts of the reserve. There’s a small pond they can leap into and cool off in and for the their owners there’s much to keep them occupied – the wetlands is a haven for native birds and water fowl.
From the pond, you can continue to walk around the wetlands or take the high ground to the fence with the Remuera Golf Course and wander through an impressive stand of native bush. It’s all regenerating, but on a hot and muggy Auckland day the shade is refreshingly welcome.
All the paths in the reserve are well-maintained and easy-graded. There are no steep bits either. Continuing around the reserve, you will spot pukeko in their hundreds, not to mention numerous species of duck and other wading birds.
With so many paths crisscrossing the reserve, you can easily choose a route that fits your fitness level or time constraints. Be on the lookout for rabbits – there is plentiful sign of them and the Auckland City Council has been laying poisoned bait to kill them off. Dogs aren’t allowed in the wetland area of the reserve, so it’s important to have good control over your pooch to ensure he won’t chase rabbits into the area where the native birds nest.
Please ensure you replace the cache exactly where you found it, tucked away in the same way you found it or even better
Cache contains: Only a logbook (bring your own pencil)