Te Ara Piko: The Meandering Path
Running along the northern edge of Pāuatahanui Inlet, Te Ara Piko pathway is a great walk for the whole family with breathtaking views and wildlife
Also known as “The Meandering Path”, the Te Ara Piko Pathway stretches 5.25km from the Camborne Walkway carpark to the Taylor Stace Cottage in Pāuatahanui.
The walk is buggy and wheelchair friendly with flat stretches of boardwalks and bridges hugging the water’s edge. As you stroll through the native salt marshes and wetland habitat you’ll see an array of wildlife and enjoy magnificent views of the harbour.
Motukaraka Point Reserve
Start your walk at the Camborne end and you’ll soon reach Motukaraka Point Reserve – a perfect stop-off for a picnic or just to rest your legs. This picturesque point boasts a wide range of birdlife and is great for kayaking and windsurfing. There’s also a WWII memorial at the water’s edge.
Get close to the wildlife
Pāuatahanui Inlet is a treat for wildlife enthusiasts, with many native plants and birds calling the inlet home (keep an eye out for mud crabs as you cross the bridges). As you stroll past Ration Point you’ll reach the Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve. Pop into one of the specially-constructed bird-viewing hides and you could spot white-faced herons, oystercatchers, royal spoonbills, banded dotterels, white-fronted terns, or pied stilts.
Pāuatahanui Village
As you reach Pāuatahanui Village, it’s hard not to be struck with the charm of this historical area. Inhabited by people for at least the last 600 years, the area is rich with wāhi tapu, archaeological sites, and historic places such as Taylor-Stace Cottage – the oldest existing residence in the Pāuatahanui district. The village is the perfect place to stop for coffee at the end of your walk, or before your return leg.
There are seating areas along the path and toilets at Cambourne, Motukaraka Point, and Pāuatahanui Village.
