It’s hard to describe how unusual the walk from Rahopara to Red Bluff is. This section of the North Shore Coastal Walk is best explored at low tide. The steep cliffs are inherently interesting, with various twisted shapes and curves readily apparent. A couple of graffitied WW2 gun emplacements are crumbling away. Another has collapsed completely and is now a wreck on the beach.
The beach is a mix of sand and rocks, and you can walk out onto the reef as the tide goes out. A highlight is the way the reef formations point to Rangitoto.
As you walk north towards Red Bluff, the beach becomes rockier, and it ends up looking like a series of stony tracks running down the beach. In places, the cliff is almost a mirror image of these tracks, albeit at a weird angle. You will also notice the houses at the top of the cliff. No doubt, some are wondering if the view was worth the long-term erosion risk.
