The oxbows near the Lighthouse Bridge in East Harbour Regional Park are former meanders of the Wainuiomata River. These old horseshoe-shaped bends show where the river once flowed before gradually changing course and leaving parts of its earlier channel behind.
Although the river now follows a different path, the oxbows remain visible as curved depressions in the landscape. Water still moves beneath the ground, helping to support the plant life above. In summer, the old river bends often appear vividly green, while in winter they turn brown, revealing the Wainuiomata River’s changing history in living colour across the landscape.
You can visit the oxbows by following the Oxbow Track, which begins near Lighthouse Bridge in East Harbour Regional Park. The track is accessible from Coast Road, near Baring Head / Ōrua-pouanui.
