Discover the Puriri Track
Located in Auckland, Te Nikau Pā / Clevedon Scenic Reserve has several excellent forest walking tracks. The Puriri Track is particularly interesting with its diverse mix of trees, unusually gnarled trees and extensive tree ferns below the main canopy.
Walking the Puriri Track
From the reserve car park, walk past the buildings and cross the swingbridge to reach the track entrances. The Puriri Track is on the right and takes approximately 30 minutes to ascend to the main viewpoint at 225 metres. Although there are numerous steps, they are manageable and not overly steep.
The forest here is a vibrant mix of puriri, kahikatea, taraire, lancewood, nīkau, and ponga (fern trees). The gnarled taraire and puriri trees give the area a goblin forest appearance. Below the main canopy, a medium-height carpet of fern trees thrives, which is unusual as regrowth trees like ponga are typically overshadowed in mature forests. However, enough light filters through to support their growth here.
Completing the Loop
After enjoying the views from the Puriri Track's viewpoint, you can return via the Totara Track to complete a loop. This route allows you to further immerse yourself in the forest surroundings and includes a grove of quite mature kauri.
How to get there
From Downtown Auckland, take the southern motorway to the Hill Road and Auckland Botanic Gardens off-ramp. Head north on Hill Road, then take Startford Road, which becomes Alfriston Road, and then Brookby Road. At the intersection with West Road, turn east and continue to the intersection with Papakura-Clevedon Road. Turn north, drive through Clevedon village and take Thorpe Quarry Road on the left to the car park.
If you continue north, you will reach the Pōhutukawa Coast, with Duder Regional Park, Maraetai, Ōmana Regional Park and Beachlands. Heading northeast from Clevedon will take you to Waitawa Regional Park, Kawakawa Bay, Tawhitokino Beach, Ōrere Point and Tapapakanga Regional Park.
