Hiking in Kauri Point Centennial Park, Auckland

Located in Auckland's North Shore area, Kauri Point Centennial Park is a large bush reserve featuring tall vegetation, towering kauri trees, swamps, shrubs, and forest. This area was once settled by New Zealand's indigenous Maori people. The park offers multiple walking tracks of varying difficulty levels, suitable for hikers of different abilities. The narrow, muddy paths are covered with fallen leaves, and interestingly, exposed tree roots can be seen everywhere underfoot, weathered by years of rain and foot traffic until they're as hard as stones. Some areas of the ground have been eroded by rainwater, forming gullies. In the forest, silver ferns grow lushly with their fronds spread wide, displaying vibrant vitality. The dried silver ferns are interconnected, resembling carefully carved artworks. These ferns come in various forms - some grow along the ground, while others rise several meters high, their trunks covered with light brown or white dead leaves. The silver fern is New Zealand's national tree and an ancient species. The silver-white underside of its fronds was said to have helped Maori people find their way home through the forest at night by following their reflective glow. The silver fern appears widely on New Zealand's coat of arms, coins, and sports team uniforms. Along the coastal cliff bush tracks, there are warning signs about slipping hazards. From the simple viewing platform, you can see Auckland's skyline, Sky Tower, and Auckland Harbour Bridge. The park maintains its natural state with only a few basic trail markers, and the paths are uneven with ups and downs, winding through the bush. Picking up a dried branch to use as a walking stick makes the journey much easier. Walking for nearly two hours in this peaceful park, you hear only the rustling of branches and the powerful sound of waves crashing against rocks. According to information provided, summer brings wildflowers and birds. We only encountered four locals during our walk. When the red brick walls of the Auckland Sugar Factory became visible, we finally emerged near the Chelsea Estate Forest. Looking back at the tranquil bush, we were left with unforgettable memories. Kauri Point Centennial Park also has other tracks leading to beaches and gun emplacements.