Since arriving back in Tauranga, I’ve started to investigate the many parks and walkways here. Walking is not everyone’s thing, I realize, but I like being in motion outdoors exploring new places and a long walk gives me plenty of space for thought. Walking is reasonable exercise but I value it more for its stress diffusion properties. I usually feel so much weller after a good walk.
The first one I’ve completed is the path from Yatton Park along the Waimapu Estuary through to Turret Road and back. We are currently nearing the end of Winter so the trail is a little bleak in places but it is mostly pleasant and varied scenery and an enjoyable way to spend roughly two hours (return journey). The path is generally flat but may require some negotiation along the waterfront.
Yatton Park to Fraser Street
You can access the trail at various points but I started from Yatton Park. The easiest option is to enter via the main gates and then keep right as you follow the paved walkway around to the far side, where you will find trails leading down to the section along the estuary. There is a side trail near the entrance to the park but it just loops back to the paved path after about five minutes.
If you’re just after a lightish stroll, Yatton Park is much larger than it looks from the road and has some wonderful old growth trees. But if you’re planning on walking to Turret Road, I would suggest touring the park at the end. The descent to Waimapu Estuary is well signposted, as is the head of the trail itself, and after that it is pretty much a clear run all the way around to Fraser Street Reserve.
You can also turn off to Esk Street after about 10 minutes using a short side trail. If you have time for a detour, this part is very green and peaceful and a nice contrast to the estuary. From this point, it is roughly another 20 minutes to Fraser Street Reserve. As you exit the reserve onto Fraser Street, you can either turn left and head back to Yatton Park or turn right to continue toward Turret Road.
Fraser Street to Turret Road
Assuming you turn right on Fraser, there is another waterside reserve after about five minutes. Here you can either continue up the hill and rejoin the trail via an entrance off 18th Avenue or walk through the reserve to a small path that allows you to access a route along the beach. Basically, the route appears to be a retaining wall or piping conduit but it takes you around the headland to 18th Avenue.
A couple of caveats: the wall is quite low and may be submerged at high tide (I walked it at low tide) and there are upright pipes and branches that require some dodging (I had no trouble). Either way, at 18th Avenue, you will find a fancy wetland style boardwalk that runs right around to the terminus at Turret Road. Excluding detours and general lollygagging, this part takes about 30 minutes.
Since doing this walk, I’ve found some useful maps on the Sport BOP Website (home page > Get Active > City on its Feet). According to the Waimapu Estuary map, this trail links to other walks in Windermere Park and Welcome Bay. While those links seem to be fairly heavily trafficked roads, the areas themselves look promising. The Welcome Bay section has its own map on the site. Enjoy!
Leave a Reply