These teen-friendly short walks allow you, as an independent teenager, to travel by public transport to places where you can explore and discover urban Auckland. You can take packed lunches, have the freedom to roam and still be in cellpone contact if required.
The loop walk in Auckland from Mission Bay to Okahu Bay takes in the views of Auckland Harbour from the M J Savage Memorial Park (the Auckland Explorer Bus stops here) and the Bastion Point Marae. The bright sunshine and blue skies today, enhanced the scenes.
Mission Bay is a great little seaside village that always seems to have a buzz with it’s cafes, restaurants, harbour promenade, famous fountain and sandy beach.
Okahu Bay has a sandy beach and on the other side of Tamaki Drive is the Orakei Domain. The Domain has an extensive children’s playground that includes a flying fox.
You may wish to linger at the Michael Joseph Savage (first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand and the founder of the welfare state) Memorial Park which overlooks Auckland Harbour.
Description: A mix of level paths and steep paths/steps. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. Caution: part of the walk is a grassy track.
To see: Auckland City views, Waitemata Harbour views, Orakei Wharf, MJ Savage Memorial, Bastion Point. Time: approx. 50 minutes (about 4.55kms) Start: Mission Bay Reserve or MJ Savage Memorial carpark
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map brochures over at our Walks Store (AC-018 Mission Bay to Okahu Bay Loop) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Coastal part 2”).
If you have been out walking around Auckland with your family as you have been growing up, being set free to go walking on your own will seem natural.
However, now that you are a teenager, if you haven’t had the opportunity to get out and explore Auckland , then we may be able to help.
As teens you love your freedom, but your parents will still want to be aware of where you are. Many of our short walks start from bus stops or train stations. Our self-guide walking brochures include a map and easy to follow detailed directions, which will hopefully keep you on track.
You could head off to explore on your own, with your best mate or a group of friends – your choice. You will get the chance to learn/improve map reading skills, find out how reliable (or not) the Auckland public transport system is, visit parts of Auckland that are new and interesting, and experience how quickly (or slowly) a parent will collect you when you have spent your fare home money.
To start, we have a good choice of free walk self-guide brochures that you can download – just enter your name and email address to get an email which will give you instructions. Fill in details HERE .
The Orakei Basin walkway upgrade that began in 2010 is complete. The concrete has been poured onto a new pathway on the Macpherson Track. And it is fantastic! The bridge over the Orakei Creek is beautiful. Now Orakei and Meadowbank are connected by a boardwalk along the railway line that both pedestrians and cyclists can use.
There is a pathway from Orakei Railway station and under Orakei Road that leads directly onto the boardwalk that crosses Orakei Basin beside the railway line. It is now easier to catch the train to Orakei and walk around the basin, then return and stop at the Kings Plant Barn for refreshments at the cafe.
(* Teen friendly walk)
The morning was still, clear and sunny causing the reflections on the water to be almost perfect. This tidal lagoon is in a volcanic crater. It was high tide, which we were not expecting. This walk takes you through small patches of bush and up high onto the ridge for a view of the city skyline.
Description: A mix of level and steep paths, steep steps. 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.
This is a dog friendly walk with an off-leash area.(See other Dog Friendly Walks) To see: Wonderful views of Mt Eden and Auckland City skyline. Small areas of bush. Railway track. Birdlife. Volcano crater. Time: approx. 45 minutes (about 4 kms).
Parking: Near Kings Plant Barn, off Orakei Road near train station.
Buses: to Orakei Train Station
(Please note: no public toilets)
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store (GS-017 Orakei Basin walkway) and our Book Store ( one of 12 walks featured in our book “Volcanoes”) or…you can download this freeOrakei Basin walkway map from Auckland Council.
Newmarket is a lively area with a wide choice of shops, cafes, cinemas and restaurants. For people who live or work in or near Newmarket, these five walks in Auckland take you through the back streets starting from Newmarket Railway Station. It is very easy for visitors to Auckland to catch a train or bus from Britomart. Or if you are travelling by car, then you could start from a place where parking is easy along the loop. Why visit Newmarket? The history of Newmarket
View from Mt Eden summit
Mt Eden Loop This walk in Auckland that starts from Newmarket Railway Station and takes you to the summit of Mount Eden, can become a day trip for those who have the time. You could leave Newmarket in time to arrive in Mount Eden village for morning tea or lunch, after taking in the views from the top of Mount Eden. Why visit Mount Eden?
After exploring the shops, you could then stop in Eden Gardens to enjoy what is on display, followed by lunch or afternoon tea and then perhaps a visit to Highwic House before heading back to Newmarket.
Otherwise, this one and a half hour walk provides a healthy workout.
Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Volcano Views, residential housing, Mount Eden Village shops, Newmarket boutique shops, Mt Albert Grammar School, entrance to Government House Time: approx. 90 minutes. (about 6 kms)
Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AC-055 Newmarket to Mount Eden Loop) and other walk self-guides at our Walk Store
Hobson Bay Walkway
Hobson Bay Walkway Loop Spring can be such a tease. We can have wonderful warm days where we think that summer is around the corner. And then we have days like today, windy with rain threatening. So with raincoats packed, we set out to walk from Newmarket Railway Station to the Hobson Bay Walkway.
We missed the rain for most of the walk, but when the skies did open up, we were close enough to Cafe Monet to drop in for a delicious hot coffee and wait for the rain to stop.
This walk is slightly longer than our usual, taking 90 minutes to cover just under 7.5kms. The route takes you through parks, reserves, boardwalks, bush and residential streets, from bustling Newmarket to the more sedate Remuera.
We suggest that this could be part of a day trip, so allow yourself time to explore both the Newmarket and Remuera shopping precincts or if it’s a fine day, take a picnic and enjoy the views from the edge of Hobson Bay or from Mount Hobson. Or you could sit on a park bench in Waiata Reserve or Newmarket Park and just watch the world go by and the dogs play…
Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Volcano Views, shore birds, residential housing, mangroves, boardwalk, Mount Hobson Time: approx. 90 minutes. (about 7.25 kms) Start: Newmarket Train Station or Victoria Avenue. Dogs: Off leash exercise areas in Newmarket Park, Waiata Reserve, Thomas Bloodworth Park
Mount St John Loop We walked south from Newmarket Railway Station today, and headed for the volcanoes of Mount Hobson and Mount Saint John. Going to the top of Mount Hobson is optional, however from the path alongside of the mountain, you can catch glimpses of Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island . From the summit of Mount Saint John there are fine views of other Auckland volcanoes.
This walk takes in the shops, cafes, and restaurants of Newmarket and the leafy suburban streets of nearby Epsom.
Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Volcano Views, residential housing, Newmarket Shops Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.56 kms)
Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AC-053 Newmarket to Mount Saint John Loop) and other walk self-guides at our Walk Store
Auckland Museum
Auckland Museum loop For people who live or work in or near Newmarket, this walk takes you through the back streets to the Auckland Domain and Auckland Museum, starting from Newmarket Railway Station.
It is mostly flat walk apart from the slight hill that goes up past Auckland Grammar School, Mountain Road.
Our surprise discovery today was Rannoch – an Arts and Crafts House with an amazing lava forest, and is home to over 100 sculptures.
Description: A mix of mainly level paths, slight incline going up Mountain Road. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Rangitoto Views, Auckland Grammar School, Maori TV HQ, Jubilee Building, Auckland Hospital, James Wallace Arts Trust “Rannoch” Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.29 kms) Cafes: Numerous in Newmarket Children’s playgrounds: Outhwaite Park
Nearby attractions: Newmarket boutique shops (Nuffield and Osborne/Teed Streets) , Domain Winter Gardens, Domain Sensory Gardens, Newmarket Pool, Newmarket cinemas (Rialto and Event), Highwic House. On Saturday mornings there is a Farmers Market behind the Jubilee Building.
Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AC-052 Newmarket to Auckland Museum Loop) and other walk self-guides at our Walk Store
The Maze, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland
Parnell Loop It is very easy for visitors to Auckland to catch a train from Britomart to interesting places to walk in Auckland. You could start this walk from Newmarket Railway Station. Or if you are travelling by car, then you could start from Newmarket Park.
This diverse walk also takes you through a piece of urban bush, by a bubbling stream – a small wilderness walk in the city.
Dogs – off leash exercise areas in Ayr Reserve and Newmarket Park.
Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Newmarket Broadway, Jubilee Building, Auckland Domain, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Ayr Reserve Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 4 kms) Parking: Newmarket Park off Ayr Street, Parnell MAP
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store (AC-050 Newmarket to Parnell) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Dog Friendly Walks part 1”).
Special Newmarket ‘5-Walk’ Bundle
Purchase all five Newmarket walks to experience this amazing part of Auckland for a discounted price of $7.95. You will receive the downloadable files with walk description and maps for:
Last weekend in Albert Park, we met a couple from California who were trying to find their way to walk to the Auckland Museum from the city. So thanks to them, we have another walk in Auckland!
Auckland Museum
We decided to start the walk at Britomart, but of course, you can start walking from any point along the loop.
The mini-tour walk takes in the Auckland Domain, Albert Park, Queen Street, Chancery Lane, Vulcan Lane, High Street, and old Government House.
Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather.
To see: Auckland City views, Rangitoto Island view, City Lanes, Albert Park, Old Government House, Auckland Domain, Wintergardens, Museum
Another beautiful sunny, calm winter’s day in Auckland! The harbour water was dazzling as we walked along the Wynyard Quarter waterfront and the Viaduct Basin.
This walk is a flat one that is great for visitors to Auckland and families who enjoy Auckland’s maritime theme.
The circuit we walked took in many interesting sites- from the new open spaces, fishing boats, trams, opening bridges and fish markets to the super yachts and harbour-side bars and restaurants.
The walking route is also suitable for prams/buggies and dog walkers (on leash only).
The new Wynyard Quarter Stage One opened for business in August 2011. As the Wynyard Quarter expands, there will be more to see and do. So it’s worthwhile coming back often to view progress.
Verdict: Lots to see and do. Fun for children. Easy for push chairs and wheel chairs.
This walk can be linked together with the Point Erin and Auckland Harbour walk for a longer walk starting from the Ferry Building/Britomart and taking in Victoria Park markets.
Description: mainly a level path. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. To see: Auckland harbour views, Rangitoto Island views, bridges, yachts Time: approx. 45 minutes. Plus time for lingering(about 3.89 kms) Start: Off Halsey/Beaumont Streets or from Britomart MAP
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store (AC-044Wynyard Quarter & Viaduct Harbour Loop walk) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Coastal part 1”).
The Avondale Whau River walkway from New Lynn, was a new discovery yesterday. The Whau River is almost full of mangroves but it does have a boardwalk going across thanks to Dawn Persson’s commitment to the Avondale Community.
This is a dog friendly walk with an off-leash exercise area and is a mostly flat walk – just one gentle rise after the boardwalk. The walking route is also suitable for prams/buggies.
You may like to pack a picnic or take advantage of the nearby New Lynn Cafes.
Description: A mix of mainly level paths and one slightly steep path. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Water birds, Mangroves, river views, boardwalk Time: approx. 50 minutes. (about 6 kms) Parking: Lynn Mall Shopping Centre Carpark
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AW-030 Whau River Loop) over at our Walks Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Dog Friendly Walks part 2” and “Best of the West“).
The Henderson Opanuku Stream walk comes under Project Twin Streams. A great deal of progress has been made. It is a very pleasant short bush walk among the native trees – two giant kauris and many macrocarpas, and the sound of birds. This is a dog friendly walk with an off-leash area. And a mostly flat walk.
More work needs to be done on making sign posting clear to encourage more people to get out and discover what a beautiful area it is. The area would also benefit from BBQ areas and children’s playgrounds to encourage more families to enjoy the outdoors.
The walking route is also suitable for prams/buggies and dog walkers (on leash only).
This is another walk that you can get to by rail and make it a day outing as Henderson Railway Station is close by. You may like to pack a picnic or take advantage of the Henderson Cafes.
Description: Mostly level paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Trees and fauna, stream, parks. Time: approx. 75 minutes. (about 5.2 kms) Start: Opanuku Reserve off Henderson Valley Road MAP
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AW-029 Henderson Opanuku Stream Circuit) over at our Walks Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Urban Bush” and “Best of the West“).
When I first came to live in New Zealand, I lived in Glen Eden. I had never visited Waikumete Cemetery until today. What an amazingly beautiful and fascinating place.
The Waikumete Cemetery takes up a huge area between Great North and West Coast Roads, with beautiful landscaping and fabulous trees. And there is so much history here – from the 1918 flu epidemic and the Gallipoli soldiers to the mausoleums of the wine magnates of Corbans and Nobilo. It is really worth visiting.
Part of this loop is a short bush walk where you may be lucky to hear the sounds of native birds, and even spot a rabbit dashing for cover.
The walking route is also suitable for prams/buggies and dog walkers (must be kept on leash within the cemetery grounds).
Description: A mix of level paths and steep paths/steps. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility (with good knees). May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Auckland City views, Waitakere Hills, trees and fauna, historical graves. Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5 kms) Start: Waikumete Road MAP
You may decide to arrive by train to Glen Eden railway station and make this a day outing. The ‘Pumped Cafe’ at the station has good coffee and food or there is a new Columbus cafe on the corner of Oates Road/West Coast Road.
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AW-028 Glen Eden and Waikumete Cemetery) over at our Walks Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Best of the West“).
Today was clear and sunny, which called for a walk and climb to look over Auckland from up high from Mount Victoria. Mt Victoria provides spectacular views – it is higher than North Head and closer to Auckland City. This walk has a dog friendly off-leash area. (See other Dog Friendly Walks) And Devonport’s village-style shops and cafes is always a great place to visit and walk around. It’s fun to arrive in Devonport by ferry. And you could spend the whole day there – spend half the day at North Head and the other half at Mt Victoria with a lunch and shop browse in-between…..
Description: A mix of level paths, steep paths and steps. 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: Wonderful views of Rangitoto, Hauraki Gulf and Auckland City, historical buildings. Mount Cambria Reserve – A volcanic cone that is now a park, having been quarried away for roading, garden walls and ship’s ballast. Victoria Picture Palace/Theatre – built in 1912, oldest cinema in NZ. Fort Mt Victoria and the Disappearing Gun. St Francis De Sales Catholic Church, St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Devonport Cemetery History: https://www.devonport.co.nz/heritage.htm Time: approx. 60 minutes. MAP
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. *** Alternatively click HERE for the free EGuide & 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 (or you could start from Onehunga and time your arrival to be at Wynyard Quarter to watch the sun set over the Harbour from a bar or restaurant.) 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.
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
One of my favorite walks in Auckland is North Head and Devonport. There are many things to do and see in Devonport Village and the views from North Head are magnificent.
Catching the ferry across from the city adds to the experience. This brings back memories for me when my children were little and we caught the ferry to Devonport, they played in the playground and we followed that with take-away fish and chips eaten at the beach. As they got older they enjoyed visiting the shops especially the second-hand books shops. When we walked around North Head we missed out on seeing the many tunnels and gun placements because we did not know they were there. Our self-guides take you around North Head so that you do not miss out on the fun bits.
When Grace and I set out for Devonport this morning we did not realize that the Wine and Food Festival was today. It started at 1pm so it was fortunate that we did not leave the walk until the afternoon. It is a glorious summer day and we wished we had brought our swimming togs to join others in the sparkling water at Cheltenham Beach. However, we were there to check out my walking directions and to take photos – and we did succeed doing that and had fun too.
If you do head out to North Head be sure to bring a torch with you to explore the tunnels and batteries. And your camera to capture the wonderful views overlooking the Hauraki Gulf.
We discovered the newly opened (October 2010) Torpedo Bay Museum and cafe at the base of North Head. Entry to the Museum is free and there are guided tours. The cafe sits in a great location overlooking the water with no traffic to hinder the prime view.
Description: A mix of level paths, steep paths and steps. 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: Volcano, tunnels, military defenses. Wonderful views of Rangitoto, Hauraki Gulf and Auckland City. Be sure to bring a torch to explore the tunnels. Time: approx. 60 minutes. Start: In Devonport Village near ferry terminal or along King Edward Parade. MAP
This walk has something for almost everyone… how about you?
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AN-005 North Head Devonport) over at our Walks Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Volcanoes” and “Coastal part 1”).
Self guided short circular walks in Auckland for health, fitness and fun
Mission Bay (60 minutes)$1.95
Suggested Cafés:
