Well another beautiful Tuesday, how lucky have we been with the weather, wow and another beautiful park to explore. 

Scandrett Regional Park is located on the North east tip of the Mahurangi Peninsula. It encompasses Mullet Point and includes regenerating coastal forest, rocky headlands that protrude into Kawau Bay, Scandretts Bay beach and a precinct of historic farm buildings. The total area is 44.4 hectares.  

The land was the site of early ship building during the 1850's and 1860's. 

In 1864, the land was sold to George Scandrett and John Braithwaite settlers of Kawau Island, with Sir George Grey putting up part of the funding. Scandrett had arrived the year before from Ireland and he married Helena Dillon in the same year as he bought the farm. Scandrett named the farm Lisadian after his hometown in Ireland and gradually bought it into production in the 1870's. At first the family lived in a wooden house on the farm before moving into the present concrete house which was built around 1885 and is made of an early concrete instead of Kauri timber. 

One of George's nine children  Thomas, became a very successful farmer and an orchardist supplying the surrounding districts. 

When Thomas died in 1926 his sons George and Raymond helped their mother until they took over the property in 1951 and farmed as Scandrett Brothers. They also ran Scandrett's Bay as a private camping ground for almost 50 years. 

In 1998, the property was purchased by the ARC for use as a Regional park. At the time of the purchase, there was a near complete collection of farm buildings dating from the early 1800's, including the homestead, a barn, boatshed, cowshed, implement shed, tractor shed and a henhouse/calf shed. In the past these would not have been restored but the heritage division of ARC saw all the buildings retained and preserved. Three 40s style baches were also restored for rental.  

Well 24 of us arrived on a still clear day to explore another of our Regional parks with leader Jeanene, and what a fun day we all had. 

We started off by walking back up the road, a good steep climb to start the day to walk the Mullet Point Track, unfortunately the very end was closed due to a slip. We still had stunning views of Tawharanui Peninsula, Kawau Island, Motuketekete, Moturekareka and Motuora Islands. On the return trip we looked back into Martins Bay. We came back via Kawau Bay track taking us back past the cars and a look of all the buildings that I mentioned that are still preserved. 

From here we walked back past the 3 baches all in use at this time of the year then up a very steep climb to connect us to the Martins Bay track . Here we stopped for a very welcome cup of tea and cake at Jeanene's family bach, sunny and beautiful. 

 As it was low tide we walked all the way around the Southern coast on quite difficult rocks in places, around the point and stopped in a nice sunny spot for lunch before continuing on and back to the beach and our cars. 

A great day had by all, stopping at Snell's beach for very good food and very hot coffee. The browny recipe was even extracted from the chief, thanks to Shirley. 

Thanks for a great day Jeanene 

Carol W

Click here for photos from Carol, Lyn and Margreta