Oneroa and Blackpool Ramble

1 hour30 minutes
Loop
Grade 3
6 km

A leisurely wander along the beaches on the north and south coasts of the main village of Oneroa, past authentic Waiheke baches that sit alongside fancy beach houses.

Location

This walk begins just beyond the first roundabout in the village of Oneroa, 1.5km up the main road from the Matiatia ferry. Any of the buses from Matiatia will take you to Oneroa. Jump off by Waikare Road.

Track Summary

Connected by a mix of walking tracks, some steps, paths, sidewalks and quiet roads.

Dogs allowed, though summertime restrictions for dogs on the beaches apply. During these times, follow the roads alongside the beaches with dogs on lead.

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

Beginning in Oneroa village, just past Waikare Road, look for the public toilet block and follow the zig zag track down to Oneroa Beach.

Follow right (east) walking on the beach or the road. At the end of the beach, the way towards Little Oneroa beach depends upon the tide.

At low tide you can stay on the beach and rock hop around.

At mid tide and higher, go up Puriri Road nearly to the main road, and pick up the track along the cliff continuing east toward Little Oneroa.

Little Oneroa has a playground and shop. Cross the parking area and road and look right of the shop to a small bridge across the stream that leads to a wide dirt path parallel to and alongside the main road.

The path joins a wooden boardwalk along the road. Look to cross the road and find the steps and track up toward Burrell Road.

Continue to the top of the steps and walk south along the Burrell Road ridge. At the intersection, veer to the right staying on Burrell Road.

Look out to the left for the track to Lannon Roadthat follows up a shared driveway and then descends steeply down to Surfdale beach and the Esplanade.

Follow the Esplanade, a flat gravel road, to the right, around the point (with the water on your left) and west toward Blackpool Beach, and then continue along the road or the beach, not quite to the very end.

Along Blackpool Beach, look out for rare New Zealand dotterels (tūturiwhatu), and in the summer, the bar-tailed godwits (kuaka), who make their incredible migratory flight every year from Alaska to enjoy the bounty of our sea shore, en route to the Yellow Sea in China.

Just before Piritahi Marae, turn right up Tahatai Road. Meander up this quiet street, staying on Tahatai, looking for Pony Club horses in summer. Towards the top, at a sharp right hand bend, the road becomes Wattle Road. Follow this to the top, crossing Mako Street and directly into Alison Park. Follow the concrete path past different sculptures that lead through this grassy reserve back toward the village.

The path pops out opposite our beautiful Library, turn right and follow about 100m along and you enter the village and are back at the start point.