Now, I hadn’t been out all week as I seem to have picked up a nasty head cold which is refusing to let go, so as you can imagine I was pretty desperate to get outside. I was sensible and the group walked at an easy pace, however some people had to leave early as they had other commitments; the poor people that stayed with me had to endure a two hour walk!
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| Long Bay Beach |
After leaving Long Bay beach we gathered at the end of Beach Road and decided to walk down into Awaruku road. I’m unsure why but this road always unsettles me, it’s a normal road with houses and plenty of comings and goings just like any other road except for one tiny difference and it’s one of Torbay’s beautiful and well kept secrets, I suspect that this area had maybe some hundreds of years ago special significance for the people who lived there.
Walking from Beach Road and continue along Glenvar Road, turn left into Awaruku Road and walk until you’re almost at the bottom and you will find an entrance into Te Awaruku Bush Reserve on the right hand side. It’s well hidden, I really didn’t know it was there until I saw school kids one morning cutting through and went for a walk one day only to discover a wonderful secret garden. Once inside the bush you have to cross a small footbridge over a stream and continuing along the path you will come to a wonderful waterfall which is tiny but the area is simply outstanding. I believe that there are several ways into this area but I have never ventured into the Reserve from Awaruku Road. Viewing this area during the day is glorious but it also pays to take a trip down there at night taking the kids or visitors. I wouldn’t advise walking alone and it can be slippery underfoot, but take a torch and wander in - you really don’t have to go too far. Here’s the secret, turn off your flashlight and if you stand still long enough you will see the area lit up with tiny lights! There are hundreds of glow-worms along the banks and footpaths, my kids were thrilled when they first saw them.
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| Awaruku Bush Reserve |
There are various tracks that circle an old quarry, where rocks were taken out and used on the roads. The land south of the quarry was purchased around 1940, a large orchard was planted and it also had a vineyard, one of many in and around Torbay. The orchard occupied the land towards Relco Crescent and the owners, the Leefe family planted many of the native trees some of which are large kahikatea and are still growing today in the reserve. There are picnic tables dotted around in the bush and the Reserve is cared for by the Awaruku Bush Society and the Royal NZ Forest and Bird Protection Society, with the help of volunteers.
We spent a while showing one of our walkers the area before moving towards Stredwick Drive and onto Glenvar, across the road into Ian Sage and back up across Glenvar Road, to County Road taking a short cut through the back of Torbay Community Centre onto Beach Road and back onto Toroa Street.
I must apologise to all who Nordic Walked with me Sunday and did the full walk. It was longer than normal and we had to walk a few hills, but I was keen to walk after being forced to stay home all week. Fortunately, the weather was kind to us and I think that you’ll all agree that the Awaruku Bush Reserve was a treat and it is truly a beautiful secret part of Eden tucked away in Torbay.
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