Afternoon bush walk stroll

Ryan and his class went on an overnight stay at Arataki on Scenic Drive in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park to the west of the city, a few months ago. They did bush walks etc and the kid came home with a new found respect for nature and huge amounts of knowledge. It has taken usuntil today to get back there with Ryan so he could teach us something. The lookout there has stunning views all over Auckland.
The road into Arataki was built by over 200 men using picks, shovels and wheelbarrows in 1939. The area is important as a water catchment area with 2 large dams which still provide Auckland with water.
We did a lovely little walk with native trees being identified upon the way. Many native birds thrive within the rain forest and small localised populations of the threatened kauri snail and a rare frog are also present.( yes it is a rain forest!) The boy's school also has a mural on an underpass. A great way to pass a couple of hours - there is a great visitors centre too, but we arrived too late in the day to visit today.
Awe plan on going back in the longer holidays and doing some longer walks.