We appreciated the instructions in the description for this walk about the safest approach to Cutty Grass Track along Scenic Drive. It is certainly important to drive on to find a safer place to turn across the road if you end up coming from the wrong direction after all…

Cutty Grass is a wide, compacted path with white stones in the gravel mix. Bush on either side is now quite mature and pretty. Kiekie is a real feature of this walk. After gentle undulation we turned off for a short bush walk over older-style, plank ‘stepping stones’ for morning tea at the attractive Alpine Sports Club hut-with-a-view. Further along Cutty Grass we crossed Anawhata Rd for the atmospheric McElwain Lookout where we lingered and enjoyed the view. Div surprised us with an outdoor terrace for a seated lunch – thanks ATC! We loved it, especially as (at our request) Pat played us her own English rendition of O Mi Bambino Caro – a recording from her real glory days, which quite transported us.

Spraggs Bush walk, a loop with a short road walk, was also enjoyed in the afternoon sun, some flagging notwithstanding. Notable were one of the best-looking kauri trunks you’ll see, and some very pleasant, new raised boardwalk ‘bridges’.

Sue M.
Click here to see Pat's video of the walk