One of my favourite short bush walks in Auckland is the Dingle DellReserve and St Heliers circuit. On a sunny day St Heliers village has a holiday feel about it – with the harbour water sparkling, the golden sand and people enjoying the waterfront. Contrasted with the quietness of the native bush in Dingle Dell.
This is a dog friendly walk with an off-leash exercise area. There is a children’s playground at the corner of Maddills Farm and Allum Street. Plus a picnic area in Dingle Dell Reserve. And a good choice of cafes along the Tamaki Drive waterfront.
Description: A mix of level paths, gradual inclines and bush tracks. Not wheel-friendly. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Sea/harbour views, beach, residential homes, native bush, views of Mt Victoria and North head. Time: approx. 60 minutes (about 5.38km). Parking: Along Tamaki Drive, St Heliers (note Parking Time Zones) Buses: Tamaki Drive, St Heliers MAP
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store (AE-003 Dingle Dell) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Urban Bush” and “Best of the East”).
Another beautiful autumn day and todays walk in Auckland Central is one of contrasts – from the quietness of secluded reserves to the noisy Parnell farmers markets. This Auckland urban bush walk is great to do all year round.
There are two markets:
Parnell Farmers Market – behind the Foundation for the Blind off Parnell Road. It is open from 8am to noon every Saturday. Today there was quite a variety of stalls from cheese to bread, to unusual pumpkins. The stall holders are very friendly and enjoyed giving us a taste of their products.
French Style Farmers Market at La Cigale, off St Georges Bay Road. This is a bigger market with more variety. There is a wide range of delicious looking and smelling foods for humans plus an interesting looking stall of dog food. These markets are open Saturdays 8am to 1.30pm and Sundays 9am to 1.30pm. La Cigale cafe was busy with people catching up for coffee with friends and staying on for lunch. Again, everyone is friendly and happy to share a taste of their tasty produce. It is all locally produced so you know that it is fresh and in many cases organic.
We walked from the busy bustling markets to the peacefulness of reserves with birdlife, nikau palms and New Zealand native ferns, past quaint cottages and the massive Holy Trinity Cathedral and the more modest St John the Baptist Church.
Parnell Village is a popular shopping strip with many cafes and restaurants to choose from. To make this a full day outing, you may wish to stay and explore Parnell Village and learn about its history.
This is a great walk if you wish to take in both markets on a Saturday or you can exclude them if you prefer a quieter walk. Dog walk friendly with off-leash areas.
Description: A mix of level paths and steep paths/steps. Caution: Muddy and slippery when wet. Suitable for most ages and levels of fitness and mobility, designed with flat shoes or running shoes in mind. Not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. To see: NZ native ferns palms and cycads, Waitemata Harbour views, farmers markets, old cottages. Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 3.92kms) Start: Stratford Street (off Gladstone Road) MAP Suggested Cafés: la Cigale, 69 St Georges Bay Road, Rosie’s Café, 82 Gladstone Road
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map brochures over at our Walks Store (AC-009 Parnell Markets and Reserves) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Urban Bush” and “Dog Friendly part 3”).
