On a sunny weekday, a friend drove us Southwest over the Tauranga bridge for approximately 11 kilometres until we reached Reid Road, off Welcome Bay Road. It took another 3 km before we exited the car at Poplar Lane and began our walk.
I have been with various people over these hills and valleys numerous times, and I never tire of the views or the company.
Recent History of the Farm
While Papamoa Hills is well known and used regularly by locals, only a few are aware of the myriad walking and mountain biking trails at Summerhill, just over the fence. Summerhill, a working farm, can be accessed from Reid Road or over a stile just below the trig on Papamoa Hills. David and Chloie Blackley purchased 100 ha in 1959 and added two adjoining farms to make 400ha. Half is in the forest, native bush and a variety of introduced species such as gums, poplar, Cyprus, Ash and Tasmanian blackwood. The other half is farmed mainly in sheep and some cattle.
In 2004 Summerhill Recreation Farm was established, and in 2014, 126ha was gifted to a trust for recreation and education. All donations and proceeds from the farm are used to develop and maintain this land for all to enjoy.
What a fantastic gift!
The Walk
At the beginning of our walk is the Mongolian Ger, which can be rented out for the night, headed down a trail to the pump house and onto the ‘Monorail’ Trail. We took a zig-zag route past a stand of tall white gums to a gate leading to an open pasture.
Poled markers led us along the farm past inquisitive cows, down through a gully with ponds and wetlands, and then a steep climb up to Reid Road. Across the road to the Ridgeline Track, a road section with magnificent views of the whole area and out to sea.
Instead of following the entirety of Ridgeline Track, we headed down Flying Mullet Track, which was not our best decision that day. If we had adorned a mullet, mine would’ve been flying parallel to the ground as my backside hit the ground on a slippery track. Oh well, no injuries occurred, and we eventually reached the roadside and retraced our steps with a short walk towards the Papamoa Hills to rest before heading home.
If you enjoy a good walk like myself and Jo of Jo’s Monday Walk, then pop over and find out where she and others have explored.
Life at No. 22 
It is wonderful to have this special place so close to home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is, and apologies for the late reply.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jo 🙂
LikeLike
A lovely walk under glorious blue skies. Thanks for the stroll, Mel
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mel and it was an enjoyable few hours away from streets and city life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great views, though sorry to hear of the assault on your dignity!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Anabel, the fall didn’t have a big impact on our walk though it was a reminder that tracks used for mountain bikes are slippery and best avoided by walkers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How wonderful that the farm’s owners make some of their land available for others to enjoy like this, as well as preserving a lot of it as forest! Sorry to hear you had a fall but it seems it could have been worse 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sarah and hopefully many more landowners will do the same.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a fine walk. And I think that the proximity of cows makes the walk even better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers Neil, I think the cows were amused by us and certainly not afraid to be near us. Just call me the cow whisperer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like a lovely walk, Suzanne. Hope you recovered well from that tumble.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tracy, the fall wasn’t a major and I am regretting mentioning it now as I got up and kept walking. Tough old girl 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know you are. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whatt beautiful scenery on your walk, sorry you took a tumble though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Cathy. Apologies again for the late reply.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem, Suzanne 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, bless, Suzanne! I’m sorry I didn’t see this in time to include it today. I’ll include it in next week’s walk. We had a nature reserve called Summerhill back in our home town in the UK. More about birds than cows. Glad you weren’t hurt. Have a good week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jo, that’s ok, no worries at all. There is plenty of birds in the pockets of bush around the farm which we didn’t do that day. An abundance of padding from my pack when I slipped 😊
LikeLike
I think we have a few cows too 🤣💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
The scenery is lovely, Suzanne. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Sue, I love the open spaces and the variety of walks around that area.
LikeLike
An enticing walk. I’m pleased you bounce well
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Derrick. I do bounce well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely walk! “Flying Mullet” huh? I wonder how it got that name. Sorry about your fall… glad nothing was injured.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a very scenic walk. Well, those mountain bike riders are a crazy lot with their downhill rides. Oh well, the flying mullet track part of our walk won’t be repeated. Quite a few tracks so will try another one soon.
LikeLike