Te Toki Reserve Loop from central Ostend

1 hour
Loop
Grade 4
3.5 km

A uniquely beautiful walk through wetlands, regenerating bush, giant pohutakawas and open fields in the urban centre of the Island.

This track starts and finishes by the Wharf Rd/Belgium St corner, just 200m away from Countdown and the central shopping area of the island.

A gentle walk – mostly flat by Waiheke standards! Dogs are allowed, and Te Toki Reserve is a dedicated off-lead area for dogs all year round.

This walk is mostly single dirt track alongside wetlands and through bush, with about 850m along a shady sealed road.

Small puriri trees, mahoe (whitey wood) trees, kawakawa and mamaku (giant tree ferns) make up the shady canopy, along with the many fantails and tui.

The wetlands have lovely Oioi grass (a grass found in estuaries where the sea water and fresh water meet), raupo (bull rush), and toi toi. Some lovely mataī trees can be seen along Wilma Rd and in the reserve – easily identified by the ‘hammered’ look of their trunks.

Click on the “Directions” tab (above) for detailed walking directions. On a mobile phone “Directions” is a dropdown option in the “Overview” bar.

Begin at the bus stop (Wharf Rd/Belgum Rd corner) and look for the red Te Ara Hura signposts which mark where the track begins The track runs parallel to the road, but just to the left and below the road as you head North. Signs for Ohahuiti Wetland mark the beginning of the track

Follow the single dirt track along through regenerating bush alongside the wetlands.

The track continues until you meet the road. Turn left and walk along the grass verge for about 100m and look to your left for the Te Ara Hura marker showing re-entry into the Reserve.

Follow across the grass and back into the bush track by the park bench, and continue on this track.

The track pops out onto the grass reserve. The track turns left to continue, but we recommend a short detour, climbing up to the right to the beautiful, huge pohutakawa tree – a great place for a picnic or rest.

Return to the track. Once back on the single track it is easy to follow the U shape of the reserve and alongside a stream.

Note: there is a sneaky short cut across a plank over the stream that you may notice on the left, that pops out on Wilma Rd. It will save you about 10 minutes walk, but really, why would you want to do that! It can be slippery getting down to the ‘plank’ bridge, but there are steps to climb out to the road.

Otherwise, continue on the track until it comes out of the bush, across the grass. Enjoy the views of Putiki Bay from the picnic table at the top of the hill, before heading out of the Reserve down Wilma Road.

At the Reserve entrance, go through the gate onto Wilma Rd, where you turn left to follow this lovely, shady road for about 850m. Past mataī, puriri and taraire trees. Watch out for kererū and tui.

At the ‘Track to Wharf Rd’ sign, turn left and follow the gravel path.

Walk along the gravel path and bridge over Okahuiti Creek, where the tide can be observed rushing in and out of the wetlands. Keep an eye out for kingfisher and pied shags.

The path returns you to Wharf Rd just near where you started.

Turn left to return to the start, or turn right here and walk a short way along Wharf Road to the league club grounds. There are often food trucks in the carpark there. And across the Causeway Road there are toilets, a playground and locals’ houseboats. Don’t miss the unique seat in the upturned bow of a boat.