Okura to Long Bay - Low Tide crossing

Walking this section

Introduction

Okura Estuary Crossing - Low tide route - 4.5km

Check with NIWA for times to walk at low tide.The NIWA tide calculator will indicate the water depth at low tide at the estuary crossing point above a standard level for Okura, of between 0.30 and 1.10 metres. Adding 0.15 m to this number will give a predicted maximum water depth across the deepest part of the channel at the recommended crossing point, near the south shore. Storm conditions and atmospheric pressure may alter this depth slightly.

From the jetty or ramp near the Stillwater Boating Club (Tel: 09 428 2185), walk to the eastern end of Duck Creek Road and the start of DOC’s Okura Bush Walkway. Follow this track around the coast, initially on grass and then along the beach past the historic Dacre Cottage to Dacre Point. At or near low tide you can walk along the beach and rocks below the cliffs all the way. At higher tide level there is a scenic track over the headland before Dacre Cottage. You can wade across the Okura Estuary at low tide (roughly hip-deep at the fourth steel pole marker in from the river mouth) across to the southwest end of the cliffs opposite. From the tip of the rocky Dacre point, look across to the headland. The cliffs at left drop down to a small bay where Te Araroa resumes. To the left of that bay from your view, where the cliffs are low, you should see a tall narrow steel pole. This is the fourth similar pole counting from left to right. Ignore the smaller wooden or white painted poles. From Dacre Point walk across the mud flats to the fourth pole and then turn right to continue into the bay where the grass comes down to beach level. The steel pole has orange trail markers attached, although these may be hard to make out at distance and have sometimes been dislodged by extreme weather

Stingrays feed in the shallow water of the estuary.  They are not aggressive, but do not like being stepped on. To avoid contact tap the mud ahead with a hiking pole or splash the surface to disturb them

Northbound: Come off the cliff track into the beach. Turn right towards the river mouth 100m, then cross towards the fourth pole from the mouth. You are looking for thin metal posts, not big white ones, which are further upstream. The fourth pole should have an orange marker attached. This has been dislodged after storms on occasion. Once at the fourth pole turn slightly left and head due west to the tip of Dacre point. 

Southbound: Walk to the very end of the Dacre Point. You are targeting the small bay at the right end of the cliffs nearest the river mouth. The four narrow metal poles are can be seen from that point although it may be difficult to spot the ones nearest to the river mouth. Cross to the fourth pole from the river mouth. The pole to aim for should have orange triangle markers attached. At low water the base of the fourth pole is usually standing on mud just above the water next to the deeper channel. Low tides are variable so the pole may be standing in water even at the lowest tide on some days.

Once across the estuary channel (southbound), veer to the right around the southwest end of the cliffs and up into the Long Bay Regional Reserve. Pick up the coastal (cliff-top) track that heads southeast to Long Bay. Note: This track passes Pohutukawa Bay, a male nudist beach.

While the tide is low it is possible to walk to Long Bay along the beach and rocks below the cliffs. The rock surfaces are very slippery when wet.

Shallower crossing route including 5km road walk
If the tide is not low enough for the normal estuary crossing there is an alternative crossing point at the sandspit, further up the Okura River
The official route, including the main estuary crossing near Dacre Point, is preferred if you can fit in with the low tide.

Southbound: From Dacre Point continue on the Okura Bush Track until you reach a spit with a shallower crossing to the ramp at the end of Okura River Road. After reaching the Okura boat ramp on the south shore walk up Okura River Road 2.2 km to the pine trees at the top of the hill. Turn sharp left down Vaughan's Road. Follow Vaughans Road and then Piripiro Point Drive for a combined 3 km. There may be active road construction at the junction with Piripiri Point Drive but the path remains open. At the end of Piripiro Point Drive there is a wooden gate and gravel path leading to the right of the stockyards for 150 metres to a stile. This is an access track provided by Auckland Council to get around the track subsidence at km 578.75. From the stile follow the marker poles for 350 metres down to the cliff-top path at km 579. Turn right onto Te Araroa. From Granny's Bay (km 579.75) you can use the coastal path or the cliff-top walk for 1.5 km to Long Bay

Northbound: Previous road-based bypass routes are no longer available. From Long Bay you can use either the coastal track or the cliff-top walk to the Okura Estuary crossing point. From there you can cross to Dacre Point at low tide

If you are using the shallower alternative crossing via Okura River Road take the cliff-top path from Granny's Bay up to the track warning signs at km 579.25. Cross the stile on the left and follow the marker poles 350 metres to a second stile on the hilltop. Walk another 150 metres of gravel track, passing to the left of the stockyard to cross a wooden gate onto Piropiro Point Drive. Follow Piripiro Point Drive and then Vaughans Road for a combined 3 km to the pine trees and junction with Okura River Road. There may be active road construction at the junction with Vaughans Road but the road remains open. Turn right and walk 2.2 km down Okura River Road to the boat ramp and shallower river crossing to the Okura sandspit. Walk down the river bank to rejoin Te Araroa at Dacre Point (km 568.4)

Take special care to avoid disturbing the dotterels nesting and feeding around the Okura sandspit. These birds are now rare and protected. Their vulnerable nesting sites are indicated by fencing, but the birds will often rest on the shore just above the high tide line. Keep well clear to avoid causing the birds to fly unnecessarily.

The Okura Bush Scenic Reserve is currently closed to all walkers because of kauri dieback disease. The closure does not affect the official Te Araroa route, which crosses the estuary without entering the affected area. The Okura Bush Scenic Reserve previously offered an alternative route, following the Okura Bush Reserve track all the way to its end at Haigh Access Road, and then heading out on Haigh access Road to East Coast Bays Road and turn left/south to walk to Glenvar Road. This route is currently, closed and blocked.

The estuary crossing can be avoided altogether by following East Coast Road from Browns Bay to Silverdale. Take extreme care walking on East Coast Road as it is a high-volume road with traffic moving at speed.

Getting there

Northern Start: Stillwater Boating Club, Stillwater

Southern End: Long Bay Regional Park, North Shore

Track conditions

Low tide estuary crossing — check the best times for walking. 

Please assess water safety before any water activity — based on the amount of recent rain, tides, currents, waves and your own confidence in the water.

No dogs are allowed at Long Bay Regional Park.

Dog restrictions apply on the beaches.

• Poisons and traps
• Tides, waves and rivers – safer at low tide
• Take extreme care crossing Okura Estuary – cross at dead low tide only
• River crossings – never cross flooded rivers
• Track exposed to sun, wind or cold

Transport

• For bus transport to or from Long Bay Regional Park, contact Auckland Transport — P: 0800 103080 or 09 366 6400 

Food and supplies

• The snack kiosk at Long Bay Regional Park is open only in summer.