Puhunui Loop Walking Track
Auckland

by Gail
(Auckland)

Puhunui Loop Walking Track is right next to the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manurewa, South Auckland.

My husband had pulled an article out of the local newspaper about this newly opened walking track in South Auckland. It sounded interesting and a good length for a walk.....about 1 1/2 hours.

We took the Southern motorway taking the Hill Rd access which is edged by the Auckland Botanic Gardens so easy to see. Driving past the Gardens we turned down Charles Prevost Drive to Wairere Road which brought us to Totora Park.

It is worth a trip just to enjoy the small free swimming pool, tennis courts and children?s play area set in the expansive lawns over hung with magnificent huge totara trees.

Starting the Puhunui Loop

The track starts from the right edge of the park. We were immediately thrilled that again we had discovered another lovely bush walk. With an equal mix of lovely ponga....their bright green lacy fronds a refreshing contrast to the spiky darker green nikau palms.

There were more of the magnificent totara and other native trees.....making this a very beautiful piece of bush.

I was surprised that so few people were taking advantage of this lovely 90 minute walk on a hot day.

Easy Walking - Fitness Average

The journalist who wrote the article that had enticed us here clearly had a very low level of fitness.....we were very amused at her negative description of the flight of 104 steps which were well spaced and in my view as an early 60's not particularly fit person.....easy walking!

The track is suitable for most levels of fitness....I would consider it easy to medium. It is well formed and signposted and was not onerous. The track is very

You cross bridges, climb steps, skirt along the edge of paddocks with cows munching the grass........all the while wandering through massed tree ferns, nikau palms and native New Zealand bush.

You can actually leave the track and go into the Auckland Botanic Gardens about three quarters of the way through.

Browse Auckland Botanic Gardens

We carried on back to Totara Park , drove the short distance to the gardens and after a very enjoyable lunch in the cafe, wandered around the Botanic Gardens.

This makes it an excellent day's outing for locals or visitors to Auckland.