TE ARAROA
Auckland
The largest city in New Zealand has beautiful museums and parks and is entered from the north via a series of coastal communities.
![The alicoop and Blissful's shadow.](https://blissfulhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_2175.jpg)
TA Day 19, Dragon’s Spell to beach near Pakiri – 39 km
The views are astounding on the Mangawhai Cliffs, after a long road walk, Blissful camps on Pakiri Beach.
![Tree fern fiddlehead in the Dome Forest.](https://blissfulhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_2218.jpg)
TA Day 20 – Pakiri beach to Dome Forest – 26 km
From Pakiri beach, it’s straight up into muddy bush and views from Mt Tamahunga before the Dome Forest.
![](https://blissfulhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_2272.jpg)
TA Day 21, Dome forest to Puhoi – 34 km
It’s “tramping track” through the Dome Forest, one boardwalk section of Kauri, and a long walk to Puhoi.
![Stacked packs at the Puhoi Pub.](https://blissfulhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/img_7454-1024x1024.jpg)
TA Day 22, Puhoi to Wenderholm – 7 km + 1 km
Blissful waits out the tides at the Puhoi Pub, then kayaks down the river to Wenderholm.
![The rocky section after Wenderholm that can only be crossed at low tide.](https://blissfulhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_2409.jpg)
TA Day 23, Wenderholm to Stillwater, 30 km
The tides must be timed to walk the beautiful rocky beach near Orewa, then it’s road to Stillwater.
![The beautiful rock spit near Dacre Point only crossable at low tide.](https://blissfulhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_2545.jpg)
TA Day 24, Stillwater to Auckland, 33 km + 4 km
After water up to the navel in Okura Estuary, it’s a beautiful walk down the North Shore to Auckland.
![](https://blissfulhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_2631-1.jpg)
TA Day 25, zero day, Auckland
Absolutely exhausted from a month of walking, Blissful takes a well-deserved rest day, or “zero.”
![](https://blissfulhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_2729.jpg)
TA Day 26, ‘slackpack’ Auckland – 9 km
“Slackpacking” is section-backpacking while sleeping in the same place each night.
![](https://blissfulhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_2787.jpg)
TA Day 27, ‘slackpack’ Auckland – 18 km
It’s a rainy day for slackpacking up Maungakiecke and through Jellicoe Park to Manukau Bay.
![](https://blissfulhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_2896.jpg)
TA Day 28, ‘slackpack’ Mangere Bridge to Totara Park – 36 km
The trail winds south through Ambury Park, reclaimed coastal wetlands and past the airport.
![](https://blissfulhiker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_2734-1.jpg)
TA audio narrative: gratitude
I just happened to be passing through Auckland at Thanksgiving and have a lot to be grateful for.