Puhinui Stream Forest Trail

For being surrounded by urban South Auckland,Totara Park - and specifically this trail - has a dense concentration of native trees and active birdlife.
Totara Park is a neighbour and shares some tracks with the Auckland Botanical Gardens.

The native bush at Totara Park is an example of the rich variety of vegetation that once covered the south Auckland area. Large native tree species include pūriri, tōtara, rimu, taraire, tawa, kahikatea and kauri. Along the trails many specimens are labelled for easy identification. You will find māpou, māhoe, thick clusters of nĪkau palms and tree ferns. Lower down, kawakawa, putaputawētā and mingimingi can be found. The bush floor supports many types of ferns, mosses and fungi. Vines of puawānanga, a native clematis provide profuse displays of white starry flowers on treetops in spring. The network of streams throughout the farm park are being replanted with native species as part of an ongoing regeneration programme.
Totara Park is home to a variety of bird habitats. Amongst the native bush you may hear or see pigeon (kererū), shining cuckoo, morepork, fantail, grey warbler, tūı and kākā. The open pasture is home to pheasant, harrier hawk, pipit , yellowhammer, chaffinch and starling. Near streambeds or wetlands you may see pūkeko, kingfisher mallard duck, pied shags black shags

If you know of any public toilets near the trail start or on the route, please login and then let us know so we can update this section.

Large carpark with plenty of parking is available at the very start of the trail, also bus 366 will get you to 71 Charles Prevost Dr, Manurewa which is 400m from the start of the run.

27 km

28 minutes

Yes

No

Easy.

This trail is extremely well signposted, although many other tracks merge or separate from this trail if you pay careful attention to signs at intersections you cannot go wrong. If you were to go of course you would find your way back to a main track within minutes

Generally good.

Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Cellphone, Map

Water is available from a fountain outside the toilet block opposite the single track entry at the start of the run

Totara park and the Puhinui stream forest trail are highly maintained year round

Cross-fitters interval training on the killer stairs, be extremely careful here, their brand new shoes and Lycra can be quite offensive to the eye. This is generally the only area you will encounter them.

The Good Home
260 Great South Rd, Takanini
http://www.thegoodhometakanini.co.nz
Great Pizza/Beer

Volare
91 Charles Prevost Dr, The Gardens
Volare.co.nz
Spectacular Fine Italian Cuisine (Open evenings only)

Cafe Miko
Botanical Gardens - 100 Hill Rd, Manurewa
http://www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/visit-us/café-miko/
Nice coffee in the lovely botanical gardens