Onehunga Bay Reserve

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This is one of our favourites. Onehunga Bay Reserve has a great wide open space for dogs to run around in, and, at high tide, a lagoon to swim in. At low tide it is an esturine mud flat full of stinky, black mud. If you dog is anything like mine they may take the oppourtunity to frolick in said mud, which is a pain to wash off but hilarious to watch.

Nikki learned to swim at Onehunga lagoon. We thought she just wasn't a water dog after failed attempts at Takapuna. Onehunga however has no waves of any description, and other dogs in the area provide the peer pressure factor in order for you dog to want to jump in - labradors and spaniels are perfect for this.

The area has been scarred by the widening of the South Western Motorway (SH20). Part of the part of the park has been eaten into, much to the dismay of The Onehunga Enhancement Society (TOES). Note the "our park, their motorway" signs. Currently, all that separates you and your pooch from the thunderous motorway is a temporary wire link fence. All this for the sake of a motorway that doesn't even make the cut to the Lifesaver Traffic Report.

This does not interfere too much with your (or your dog's) enjoyment of the reserve however. There is a nice loop track around the outside of the lagoon, and several small beaches on the eastern shore. This was Onehunga's beach before SH20 was built in the 70s and 80s. The beaches provide a great place to throw a stick or a ball and a lovely even surface with which to launch into the water.

Watch your dog around the culverts, especially when the tide is going out. Nikki managed to cut herself open on either the wall around the culverts or an oyster shell, we're not sure. Needed stitches and everything. Thank god for pet insurance!

Highly recommended. Four stars at high tide ****