Okura to Long Bay - Low/High Tide

  • Walking
Length
4.5 km
Journey Time
3 hours
Region
Auckland
Sub-Region
North Shore
Part of Collections
Te Araroa - New Zealand's TrailTe Araroa - North Island

Te Araroa trail section: Follow Okura Bush Walkway around the coast before crossing Okura Estuary. Be careful not to disturb dotterels.

Low tide route

Check with NIWA for times to walk at low tide

Updated advice for Okura Estuary 14 September 2022: The tide calculator will indicate the water depth 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. 

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

Okura Estuary crossing from Dacre Point

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.

Update April 2023. The cliff-top path is closed between km 563 and km 563.5 due to severe and continuing track subsidence. The closed section may be bypassed by using the coastal track between Pokutukawa Bay (km 563) and Granny's Bay (km 564.2)

Update August 2023. The state of the cliff-top path is unknown.  it is possible the the slip has been repaired  

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 is active road construction at the junction with Piripiri Point Drive but the road 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 56.5. From the stile follow the marker poles for 350 metres down to the cliff-top path at km 563.2. Turn right onto Te Araroa. From Granny's Bay (km 563.7) 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 as far as Granny's Bay (km 564.2.7). If you will be using the normal Te Araroa low-tide Okura Estuary crossing to Dacre point you should continue on the coastal track to Pohutukawa Bay (km 563) to get past the cliff-top path closure at km 563.5.

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 blockage at km 563.5. 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 is 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 560.5)

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.

An older bypass route using East Coast Road and Glenvar Road is no longer usable as Glenvar Road is blocked by a road slip just before the junction with East Coast Road

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.

The estuary crossing can be avoided altogether by following East Coast Road from Browns Bay to Silverdale. Note that there is no access from Glenvar Road to East Coast Road. Take extreme care walking on East Coast Road as it is a high-volume road with traffic moving at speed.

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

How to get here

Northern Start: Stillwater Boating Club, Stillwater

Southern End: Long Bay Regional Park, North Shore

Transport

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

Accommodation

Food And Supply

  • The snack kiosk is open only in summer.

Track Elevation and Map

More information

Te Araroa Auckland trail notes including information about accommodation, transport and resupplying

Long Bay

  • Please note there is no camping or accommodation at Long Bay Regional Park
  • For more information on Long Bay Regional Park / DOC Long Bay Okura Marine Reserve, 2000 Beach Road, Long Bay or contact Auckland Council on P: 09 301 0101. Duty ranger 24/7. Pedestrian access - Open 24 hours, summer gate opening times: 6am to 9pm (daylight saving time), winter gate opening times: 6am to 9pm (Non-daylight saving time) 

Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.


We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.

We recommend trying these online learning tools:

Trip Planning

Tramping/field Skills

Basic Navigation

River Safety

Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.

Mountain Safety Council Plan My Trip
Page last updated: Aug 30, 2023, 11:39 AM