As I drove past the end of Papich Road the other day I wondered what was down there. Turns out there's a hidden gem of a park and walkway.

Map shows the area.

It's a roughly 2 Km return walk, with grassy areas, native trees, and at the end, a short pier and entry to the beach. The latter part of the walk skirts the port, flanked on one side by a maybe 5 metre high wooden wall.

Apparently seals sometimes rest beside the shore.

Sign points to the grassy walk between trees.
Plaque with details of: A national project to establish stands of trees across Aotearoa New Zealand, planted by communities as places to reflect on the service of local members of the New Zealand Defence Force, past and present.
View across grass to trees and Mt Manaia.
Trees form a tunnel along the walk.
The Marsden Bay Reserve beach.
High wooden fence and sea.
Pier stretches into the sea with land and houses across the bay.
Mounds of logs at the port await export.
Mounds of logs at the port await export.