Last finder reports new logbook required.This box is located in Duder Regional Park, a 148-hectare coastal farm park, 50 minutes drive from downtown Auckland. This is a beautiful but often overlooked park which contains stunning views of the Hauraki Gulf and its islands. You can reach Duder by travelling south-east of Auckland to Maraetai, and continuing along the Maraetai Coast Rd to Umupuia. Turn right onto North Rd when you reach Umupuia Beach, and the park will be on your left presently.
The stamps contained in this letterbox are the first we ever carved! So if you are looking for a fancy stamp this is not the box for you. The fun in this box is enjoying the fantastic walk and the bird and farm life of this amazing park. You will need to bring your own stamp pad. You could easily spend the day in Duder Regional Park as it has several walks, biking, and a great orienteering course, but remember that dogs are not permitted in the park.
From the carpark, take the large gravel path into the park, heading past the large picture frame and through a couple of stys (not necessarily in that order!) You need to turn off the gravel path and head towards the beach at orienteering mark CM11 (just before the path starts to climb). Be careful here as this is a track used by the cattle and can get quite muddy, or at least it was when we placed the box in August (winter). Make your way towards the next gate and sty by orienteering mark BW23. Don't be tempted to stray onto the beach here as it is the breeding ground of the endangered New Zealand dotterel - the beaches further round are fine.
Once through the sty, take the native forest path that follows the line of the beach until you reach a clearing, where you will need to change course slightly and head down the path to the beach. Continue along the beach through the pohutukawa tree in front of you, past the flax bush flanked by two ponga trees, until you reach the point where a more bedraggled pohutukawa leans right out, about 50m before the beach is curtailed by a rocky outcrop, close to a gate. When we hid the box there was a bright yellow trap marking the tree but that may not always be there.
To the left of the tree there is a crevice formed by the roots of the tree at about eye level (for an adult). Remove the pine cones and retrieve your prize! You may need to use a stick to assist you... Once you've stamped in, please replace the box as you found it, making sure it is well hidden again, don't forget the pine cones. Before you head off, make sure you've taken in the view of the Hauraki Gulf from this point - we think it's just fabulous.
Please email us if the box needs attention.
For more information on Duder Regional Park go to
http://www.arc.govt.nz/arc/auckland-regional-parks/southern-parks/duder.cfmHike Length: 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 0 feet
