Project Twin Streams Walk - Oratia and Opanuku Streams

Date: August 5, 2016
Party: Anna, Lesley
Map: https://www.bikewise.co.nz/sites/default/files/project_twin_streams_cycleways_map.pdf. See also the website on Project Twin Streams here.
Distance: 13km
Elevation: Very flat
Time:2 hours and about 35 minutes, but includes a lot of faffing about
Notes: We parked at the Parrs Park end of this walk (Oratia), close to this fabulous playground structure and headed in the direction of Henderson. 

The start of the walk follows the Oratia Stream (and the train tracks!) behind a very industrial part of West Auckland - so not the most attractive area. The Millbrook Edible Garden was a highlight and DID have a Pokemon gym close by... and we managed to catch a few weird westie pokemon along the way to keep us amused. It's not until you are closer to Henderson that you start to see some of the murals, sculptures and distinctively 'westie' points of interest on this walk. The walk takes you through the Corban Estate, which has an Arts Centre and uses the old buildings as exhibition areas, artists' studios, galleries, etc. There are a number of installations on the grounds, including a beautiful water bowl made of stone, and a lovely old church, Old Saint Michaels. There were some strange structures too - what are the concrete buildings (with large spouts) behind the cars in the picture below and what are the underground vats for? 

Other things along the way that took our fancy were the 'spears' on the bridges in Henderson;

the Mill in the middle of the stream; the oxen;

the mysterious items spotted by the sports field, which we subsequently found out were for disc golf (no way!!)

and our perennial favourite - funghi!

We also saw some fabulous art set into the walkway, and murals on some of the underpasses. Got to thank Pokemon Go for giving us the historical and notable elements tour via its Pokestops - very informative.

We were getting a little bit thirsty at this stage and had seen a sign on the way in for the Packing Shed Cafe, so called in for a drink ... briefly. Classic westie outfit, but its B health rating suggested a drink only. We crossed the road and ventured into the Just Plane Interesting antiques and curios shop (not the one on the same site as the Packing Shed Cafe), which was a revelation. Quite an eclectic collection, well worth a visit. If you are a set designer, get there pronto.

Finding a lucky park outside Little Sister Cafe, we had lunch. One of everything, please.