Few venture to Glorit. Most have never heard of it. Yet it’s just an hour from Auckland’s CBD and is in an area of such rugged beauty that Matthew Pike couldn’t resist a peek
I’ve never attempted a private walk before. I’ve always imagined you’d be molly-coddled and patronisingly asked if you know how to read a map or whether a 20m descent may be ‘hard on your knees’. My ego also led me to believe that a hut or tent is the only luxury I’d need, DOC land is the most beautiful and that I certainly don’t need anyone preparing food for me. How wrong I was. Once I’d spent a day or two stomping my prejudices into paddocks and forest tracks, I realised that, deep within my psyche, there’s nothing I want more after a day’s tramp than to enjoy a hot shower and food that isn’t from a packet. And, considering the weather throughout the three days I spent on the Kaipara to Kaipara Experience consisted of scalding sweat-inducing sunshine, a shower in the evening was wonderful and, for those who could smell me, essential. The K2K, based in sleepy Glorit an hour north of Auckland, is a kind of Heaphy Track of private walks – variety is a key feature, as it changes vastly from one day to the next. The walk itself consists of lush paddocks, pine forest and calm rivers on day one, native bush and panoramic views on day two and a stroll along the estuary edge on day three. Accommodation switches between a grand, luxurious homestead, dorm beds not dissimilar to a backcountry hut and a classic Kiwi farmhouse with sunsets to die for. The food is a constant: constantly brilliant. Whether it’s barbecued venison, lamb tagine or icing-happy carrot cake, it’s worth walking 100km for, let alone the 15km the track demands on any given day. That’s not to say it was easy. The landscape is rugged and six hours of sun-on-head is enough to make anyone need a lie-down. But it was manageable – neither a doddle for the fit or a heart churner for the unfit. I arrived with my better half on the Friday evening. We followed the directions, looking for twin arches which, in this instance, signalled the roof of the immaculate homestead. Inside is vintage furniture, a piano and a fridge full of gorgeously prepared food. Outside is a pristine garden adorned with flowers, vegetable patch, pond and chairs that looked ready for afternoon tea in a Victorian costume drama. We were the first of the group to arrive and had the place to ourselves until Shane came to say hello. Shane and Jenny are the main hosts. They’ve turned the homestead from a mere shell to the place of country grandeur that it is today. They’ll have a yarn and a drink with you if you wish, or leave you to it if you don’t. Their hospitality on nights one and three and that of Stephen and Clare on night two make this a special experience. [caption id="attachment_4761" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]
