Tag Archives: Kauri Trees

Orewa Te Ara Tahuna shared path

Posted on February 24, 2013 | Leave a comment
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Today we headed north out of Auckland to Orewa to walk around the Te Ara Tahuna shared path.  This cycleway/walkway encircles the Orewa Estuary for a distance of 7.58km.  It took us 1 hour and 45 minutes to walk it at a leisurely pace.

The tide was going out as we walked around anti-clockwise.  It is a diverse walk, starting from the carpark by the Orewa Visitor Centre (be sure to visit for information on what else there is to do within the Rodney District – this Visitor Centre is run by enthusiastic volunteers).

IMG 4921 300x225 Orewa Te Ara Tahuna shared path

We walked past beautiful houses and gardens set along the path, crossed bridges, walked on the edge of farmland with picturesque bales of hay and past mangroves – arriving back to the view of the ocean along the Hibiscus Coast Highway.

Look out for all the different wetland birdlife. You will also see kauri trees, pohutukawa trees, cabbage trees and flax. There are picnic tables available at the Orewa end, as well as a skate park.  Benches provide views of the estuary and take the time to admire the beautifully carved wooden seats (six in total as of today’s date).

The cycleway is ideal for families with children who are competent cyclists.  The pathway is a mix of concrete, bitumen and loose gravel.  Be sure to have snacks and drinks with you to keep up the energy levels. And if the weather is appropriate, take beach gear for a refreshing swim afterwards.

We stopped off at Olivers for a delicious lunch accompanied by a wonderful musician.

Download the Auckland Transport Te Ara Tahuna Estuary Map or pick up a free map from the Orewa Vistors Centre.

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Posted in Family Cycle Rides, Out of Auckland Walks, Teen friendly walks, Things to do with children, Walks in Aucklands Wetlands

Tagged Bales Of Hay, Bitumen, Cabbage Trees, Carpark, Delicious Lunch, Energy Levels, Estuary, Hibiscus Coast, Houses And Gardens, Kauri Trees, Leisurely Pace, Loose Gravel, Mangroves, Olivers, Orewa, Park Benches, Picnic Tables, Refreshing Swim, Rodney District, Tahuna

Walks in Auckland City

Posted on December 23, 2012 | Leave a comment
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While most of our walks are within urban Auckland, we would like to encourage you to explore Auckland city’s Central Business District (CBD). For visitors on short stays, walking around Auckland city is the best way to explore and discover the backstreets and character.

Many of these walks in Auckland City start from Britomart at the Auckland Harbour end of Queen Street.

The Auckland City CBD discovery walk - starts from Britomart. This walk brochure is free for people who download my FREE report ‘What to do and see in Auckland’. This walk takes you past historical buildings and through parks and reserves. We also take in lanes, arcades and courtyards.

Victoria Park and Markets - begins at Victoria Park Markets and takes you through the suburban streets of Freemans Bay up to Ponsonby Road via the well-hidden gem of Western Park.

Auckland Coast to Coast Walk – starts from Britomart and takes about 4 hours non-stop.  It is split into 4 stages, with directions on where to catch a bus to return to Britomart at the end of each stage. This walk is full of variety from kauri trees, to the Parnell shops and cafes, churches and cathedrals, views of the harbours, volcanoes and Waitekere Ranges and an art collection.

Karangahape Road and Parks - starts from Britomart. Walk the back streets and parks of Auckland City.  This walk provides fine views of Mt Eden (down the side roads off Karangahape Road), the Harbour Bridge and the Sky Tower, and introduces you to the eclectic shopping strip of Ponsonby and Karangahape Road.

Auckland Harbour and Point Erin – starts from Victoria Park Market which is within an easy walk from Britomart. This Auckland walk not only has fabulous views, it is mostly flat (apart from the steep steps at Jacob’s Ladder ), Victoria Park has a great children’s playground and skate park, and there are beautiful old homes and moored yachts to enjoy. View the Auckland Harbour Bridge up close.

Wynyard Quarter Waterfront - starts from Britomart.  Explore the Viaduct Basin and Wynyard Quarter boating scene and cafes.  See where the America’s Cup yachts were based.  There is always something to see along the way…

Auckland Museum – starts from Britomart. This mini-tour walk takes in the Auckland Domain,Albert Park, Queen Street, Chancery Lane, Vulcan Lane, High Street, and old Government House.

If you have the time and wish to have a break from the City head to Devonport: Mount Victoria and North Head - start from Britomart and walk to the Ferry Building to catch the ferry to Devonport.  Explore the historic houses and buildings beneath Mount Victoria and/or walk up to North Head.  Stop in Devonport Village to browse the shops and refresh at cafes. Or catch a train or bus to Newmarket and spend the day walking and exploring.

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Posted in CBD Walks

Tagged America S Cup, Auckland Cbd, Auckland City, Auckland City walks, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Back Streets, Backstreets, Britomart, Cbd, Central Business District, Cup Yachts, Fabulous Views, Hidden Gem, Jacob S Ladder, Kauri Trees, Mt Eden, Point Erin, Queen Street, Side Roads, Sky Tower, Steep Steps, Suburban Streets, Viaduct Basin, Victoria Park, Victoria Park Market, Walks, Western Park

Botanic Gardens and Totara Park Loops

Posted on March 31, 2012 | 2 Comments
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Totara park Track 300x225 Botanic Gardens and Totara Park LoopsA beautiful sunny morning made our trip south for a walk around the Auckland Botanic Gardens and Totara Park walking tracks and the Puhinui Stream forest, a wonderful experience.

We had set out to do a 5km walk but we ended up getting lost due to poor signage.

There was a good side to getting lost 1) we walked further than we had planned and 2) we found a look-out that we did not know existed which gave us a clear view all the way to the Auckland city skyline and across to Manukau Harbour.

The Puhinui Stream Forest Trail (the full loop trail is approx 4 kms) in Totara Park was gorgeous with the sunlight dappling the native ferns and palms. The trail took us past beautiful totara, puriri, nikau and kauri trees. We enjoyed soaking up the beauty of the lush native forest.

Puhinui Stream 300x225 Botanic Gardens and Totara Park LoopsThere are great spots to stop and picnic along the trail and children’s playground areas (including a  children’s flying fox). Dogs on-leash on the trail, but there are off-leash areas. It makes for a great family day out. (And if you are into mountain biking or want to give it a try, there is a 15 km mountain bike track here too).

(See other Dog Friendly Walks)

Miko Cafe 150x150 Botanic Gardens and Totara Park Loops Miko Cafe at Auckland Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre provided us with much needed refreshments.

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map of the Botanic Gardens and Totara Park Loops from the Walks Store

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Posted in Dog Friendly Walks, Walks in Auckland South

Tagged Auckland Botanic Gardens, Auckland City, Beautiful, Bike Track, Botanic Gardens, children's flying fox, City Skyline, Detailed Guide, dog off-leash areas, Dogs, Flying Fox, Forest Trail, Kauri Trees, Km Mountain, Leash Areas, Loop Trail, Miko Cafe, mountain bike track, Mountain Biking, Native Ferns, Native Forest, Nikau, Palms, Picnic, Playground Areas, puhinui stream forest, Refreshments, Remedial Work, Signage, Sunlight, Sunny Morning, Totara Park, totara park walking tracks, Walks

Coast to Coast Walk

Posted on July 2, 2011 | 16 Comments
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This weekend we embarked on an alternative Auckland coast to coast walk - from Waitemata Harbour to Manukau Harbour.  Auckland City Council do have their own documented walk here.  However our alternate walk has less road, more parks, more bush, more direct, more variety, more views and more fun. It takes about 4 to 4 1/2 hours if there are no stops.

*** Currently, you can download our alternative Coast to Coast walk for free by entering your email and name in the box on the right. ***

Waitemata Harbour Coast to Coast Walk

View of Waitemata Harbour from Mt Hobson

The walk can be done in stages (so that at convenient points, if you need to return to the start we let you know where you can catch a bus or train) or you may wish to set a day aside to do the complete walk. It takes about four hours non-stop, but do allow yourself time to explore the side-trips (e.g. walk around Parnell, one of Auckland’s most interesting and historic suburbs) and have refreshments.

If you are looking for things to do in Auckland this is a great day outing. This alternative coast to coast walk starts off at the Ferry Building and ends at Onehunga. The walk is full of variety from kauri trees, to the Parnell shops and cafes, churches and cathedrals, views of the harbours, volcanoes and Waitekere Ranges and an art collection. It includes many playground areas for children which we hope is an incentive for them to do this walk. This walk in Auckland shows off the diversity of this wonderful city.

Watch the short video – Things to do in Auckland – Coast to Coast Walk

Pah Homestead cafe 300x225 Coast to Coast WalkAuckland residents may even be surprised to find places they were not aware of!

Vistors will discover Auckland’s back yard secrets and many cafes and shops – the ones that the bus tours miss.

You really don’t get to know a place until you have explored it by foot!

Labyrinth Parnell 300x225 Coast to Coast WalkFor instance we discovered a new labyrinth in Parnell – something that I would not have recognized if I had not recently read “Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Practice”.

Suggested Cafes in Onehunga: The Library Cafe and Columbus

If you are keen on other coast to coast walks around the world – you may like to try the Walk from Cumbria to Yorkshire which spans 85 miles of quintessentially English landscape

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Posted in Teen friendly walks, Walks in Auckland Central

Tagged Art Collection, Auckland, Back Yard, Bus Tours, Cafes, Caption, Cathedrals, Churches, Coast To Coast, Cumbria, Diversity, Email, English Landscape, Ferry Building, Grey Lynn, Hobson, Kauri Trees, Labyrinth, Limited Time, Onehunga, Parnell, Playground Areas, Refreshments, Sacred Path, Side Trips, Spiritual Practice, St Columba, Surrey Crescent, the library cafe, Train, Volcanoes, Walks, Wonderful City, Yorkshire

Walks in Auckland – Victoria Park and Markets

Posted on April 30, 2011 | 1 Comment
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How do you recover after last night’s fabulous TV screening of the wedding of Prince William and Catherine?  Go for a walk in Auckland of course!

Western Park 2 300x225 Walks in Auckland Victoria Park and MarketsToday’s walk begins at Victoria Park Markets and takes us through the suburban streets of Freemans Bay up to Ponsonby Road via the well-hidden gem of Western Park and the sculptural installation by John Radford on Ponsonby Road.

Building VicSt tunnel 300x225 Walks in Auckland Victoria Park and MarketsCurrently, the Victoria Park Markets are a disgrace.  They are run-down, parts are under construction and what few shops are open sell touristy junk (apart from a sports wear shop and a shoe shop).  Hopefully once the Victoria Park tunnel construction is complete someone will spend some money on the markets to bring them up to International standards.  Did you know that these buildings started life as “The Destructor; Auckland’s first rubbish depot”?  Read more at Suite101: History of Victoria Park Market

Western Park tree 300x225 Walks in Auckland Victoria Park and MarketsHowever in contrast Western Park is a delight.  There is a comprehensive children’s playground that includes a flying fox and long slide, a fitness trail and wonderful trees such as the massive Moreton Bay Fig trees and Kauri trees and Cyprus trees to name a few. This is a dog friendly walk with an off-leash area. (See other Dog Friendly Walks)

This video gives a taste of Western Park.

Colourful Ponsonby Road is worth exploring and there many cafes and restaurants to choose from.  This area is also full of heritage buildings and places of interest.  Choose from four Ponsonby Heritage Walks.

Find this walk and other walks in Central Auckland here.

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Posted in CBD Walks, Dog Friendly Walks, Walks in Auckland Central

Tagged Auckland Parks, Cafes And Restaurants, Central Auckland, Colourful, Cyprus Trees, Disgrace, dog off-leash area, Fig Trees, Fitness Trail, Flying Fox, Heritage Buildings, Hidden Gem, John Radford, Kauri Trees, Leash Area, Moreton Bay Fig, Playground, Prince William, Rubbish Depot, Sculptural Installation, Shoe Shop, Suburban Streets, Tunnel Construction, Victoria Park, Victoria Park Market, Western Park