Onetangi Reserve

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Walking tracks: There is a loop track system that takes two hours to complete. Some sections of the track are steep and can be slippery when wet. You are advised to wear suitable heavy footwear.

Getting there: The reserve is located on Waiheke Island off Auckland in the Hauraki Gulf. There are regular ferry crossings to the island. There are three entrances to the reserve: Waiheke Road, Scotts Terrace & Trig Hill Road (close to the Pukeatua reserve). If you are coming by bus, take it to the Fourth Avenue bus stop in Onetangi. The main Roy Nelson gate is a five-minute walk up Waiheke Road.

The locals: There is a wide range of wild life in the reserve: koura, banded kokopu, tuna and koeke in the streams and kereru, riroriro, piwakawaka, silver eye, kingfisher, morepork and tui can be found in the trees. Kaka are becoming more common and shining cuckoos visit each year.

The 50-hectare Onetangi Reserve land was purchased in February 1962 at a time when overstocking had caused severe damage to the land and the commercial felling of trees was imminent. Filled with taraire, pohutukawa, nikau, ponga, mamaku, kanuka, oro oro, mamangi, rewarewa, kohekohe, horoeka, matai and a sprinkling of tawa, miro, kahikatea, maire, puriri, kauri & rimu, the reserve contains a loop track that passes through a kauri grove and offers spectacular gulf views of Pokutukawa ridge. If you wish to see kohekohe in bloom a visit to the reserve in June is well worth the effort.

This reserve has recently become part of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park - a park that protects the natural wilderness areas in the greater Auckland region on both land and sea.