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Manukau coastal walks

Introduction | Manukau Harbour | Blockhouse Bay explorer | Lynfield Cove ramble | Waikowhai circles | Hillsborough Bay circuit | Additional information

Blockhouse Bay explorer

Duration: allow two hours
Classification: walking track.

Te Whau is the northern-most waka portage giving access to the Manukau Harbour from the Auckland Isthmus. The portage was monitored from a fortified pa - that stands sentinel on the western headland of the bay.

Early Europeans built a military blockhouse here (after which the bay was named) in preparation for the invasion of the Waikato in 1863. Later, holiday-makers from the city flocked to the beach for camping and games. Some built baches. Today the area is picturesque, peaceful and boasts a network of tracks to enthuse walkers. There is also a lovely beach reserve for picnicking, paddling and bird watching.

Our suggested route begins on the Blockhouse Bay beach reserve. The pathway rises up behind the playground to Taunton Terrace and along to the track marked Te Ara o Tiriwa (The Pathway of Tiriwa – the legendary high priest of the Waitakeres). The track passes through lovely native bush but because of the numerous steps, those wanting an easy walk should continue along the road. Turn back along Taunton Terrace for wonderful views of the harbour, and then pleasant street walking along Connell, Mitchell, Connaught and Gilfillan streets.

The original blockhouse was sited on Gilfillan Street just past Endeavour Street. An imposing wooden structure, it met its fiery end, not by hostile intent but at the hands of the commander's young son, playing with fire.

Cross into Gill Crescent and enter the Avondale South Domain at the sign near the school. Follow the track down to the end of the tar-sealed surface and take the next track to the left. Follow signs down to Flounder Bay. Here, Maori dried fish leading to the name Tuhi Parapara or 'smelly decaying fish'. Turn right and walk the low-tide route back along the rock-shelf foreshore to Sandy Bay. This takes ten minutes. The last part of the foreshore along to Blockhouse Bay is in slightly deeper mud. You can exit via the pathway up to Blockhouse Bay Road and follow the road down the path to the beach.

Alternative to low-tide route: Instead of turning left to Flounder Bay, continue along main entrance track as it drops down and veers right to end up on the shore at Sandy Bay. A sealed footpath climbs up to Blockhouse Bay Road. Turn left and follow the road down to Blockhouse Bay beach.