Welcome Young Harbour Explorers!
Get ready to discover the amazing treasures along the Mangere Esplanade! Print out this page to take with you on your walk. As you walk beside the beautiful Manukau Harbour, see how many of these exciting things you can spot. Tick off each item when you find it – and keep your eyes peeled for birds, boats, and history!
🚤 Boats & Harbour Life
- A sailboat on the water
- A motorboat at the boat club
- The Mangere Yacht Club building
- Someone fishing from the shore
- A boat trailer in the parking area
🐦 Shore Birds & Wildlife
- A pukeko (black bird with red beak)
- Godwits feeding in the mudflats
- Seagulls flying or walking
- Any other shore birds
- Bird footprints in the mud
🏛️ Historical Treasures
- The cannon memorial at 15 Kiwi Esplanade
- St James Church (the old stone building)
- Information boards along the path
- The stone walls of the church
- Historic plaques or markers
🏔️ Views & Landmarks
- One Tree Hill in the distance
- Mangere Mountain
- Auckland city skyline across the harbour
- The Mangere Bridge village shops
- The playground near the boat club
🏆 Bonus Challenges!
- Find something shaped like a circle
- Spot a boat with a colorful sail or flag
- Count how many different types of birds you see
- Find shells or interesting stones on the shore
- Take a photo of your favorite harbour view
Tips for Harbour Hunters:
- Look everywhere: Watch the water, scan the mudflats, check the buildings
- Be bird-quiet: Shore birds spook easily – move slowly and quietly to see them up close
- Bring binoculars: Makes spotting godwits and other birds much easier
- Stay on paths: Keep the harbour beautiful and stay safe
- Best time for birds: Early morning is when shore birds are most active
- Have fun: Every walk reveals different boats, birds, and harbour surprises!