Walk 54, 28th November 2020
Le Roys Bush (Wai Manawa) is a beautiful complex of reserves with streams and walkways running from Birkenhead Village (Highbury) down to Little Shoal Bay Beach.
There are eight entrances to Le Roys Bush – the main entrance is from 251 Hinemoa Street (down the driveway between 245 and 253 Hinemoa St, Highbury.) It’s opposite the library.
The new viewing platform, Kaimataara o Wai Manawa, is located up on Birkenhead Ave and provides panoramic views of Le Roys Bush, Auckland City and Rangitoto. Kaimatara o Wai Manawa translates to ‘The Lookout of Wai Manawa’.
We parked in Glade Pl, where the faces on the fence were.
Walk: Auckland 8
Links
History of Le Roys Bush & LSB Reserves
History notes by Janet Watkins: In 1841, the whole of the Shore being bought by the Crown between 1840 and 1854.
Memories of Le Roys Bush and LSB
Edward Le Roy & family: During the depression years when many men had to be put off from their jobs, Mr Le Roy had such empathy for his valued employees that he paid them to develop the area into what we know now as Le Roy’s Bush.
The valley in which Le Roys Bush lies was known by the early Maori as Te Uruwao (Te Uruao). In early days the Maori people followed an old trail down the ridge where Wernham Place now runs, to the Shore line of the mangrove estuary, Wai-manawa, and out to Little Shoal Bay for the pipi and other fish. This trail was known as the “Maori Pipi Walk” a trail and name which the Scenic Board would like to see reinstated, again giving access from Wernham Place to Little Shoal Bay.
Memories of Le Roys Bush and LSB
Panoramic viewing platform opens in the heart of the North Shore’s Birkenhead.
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