Te Araroa 18/10/25

Day 18, Orewa to Torbay (591)

A dividing of the ways today as the famous five have all gone in different directions, SJ and Di were staying elsewhere but Ruby and Charlie stayed at the Campsite and we went for a Pizza last night to celebrate before we split up this morning.

Leaving the campsite 

I had an early start to the day as I wanted to make sure I crossed the Okura estuary at low tide.

Sun starting to appear over Orewa

It was dark with a clear sky when I left the campsite at 06.00 and for once my tent was dry when I picked it up. Campsite kitchens are very useful for breakfasting and getting everything packed early.

Road out of Orewa

A nice walk around the Orewa River Path except for one bit that was closed for repairs but I was able to squeeze past the security fence.

Beautiful scenery around Stillwater

Road walking then to Stillwater but with some lovely countryside views although the last bit was quite narrow and bendy.

Heading for the estuary 

The estuary path then, firstly through grassy and marshy areas. Then onto the beach.

River estuary 

The beach here is very flat and consists of slippery stone and muddy sand but it is all nice and hard to walk on.

Waiting for the tide to go out

I got round to Dacre Point where the TA heads out into the estuary about an hour early so I was just 'sitting on the rock of the bay watching the tide rolling away' for a while contemplating life the universe and everything.

In the middle of the estuary 

The crossing was good, it feels like a long way from land but the footing is good, the water hardly moving and I just about avoided salting my nuts.

Safely across 

The costal path after the crossing was very busy with lots of people enjoying the Saturday sun and I couldn't blame them, it was a beautiful day.

The costal path

Long Bay Regional Park was heaving with people barbequing there lunches and it was nice to get onto the beach to escape the insanity. 

Long Bay beach

Up the hill at the end of the beach to Torbay then. I had intended to go on to Browns Bay campsite before I discovered it is closed but it then I found a cheap B&B in Torbay so decided to stay there.

Torbay