Category Archives: Walks in Auckland West

West Auckland has the most walking tracks in all of Auckland. There are some fabulous bush walks and picnic spots https://www.westauckland.net.nz/picnic-spots.htm
This is a collection of shorter walks to help you discover the hidden walking gems in West Auckland without having too travel far.

Hobsonville Point walkway

Tree-lined Hobsonville Point Park

The Hobsonville Point Walkway circumnavigates a newly developed area of Auckland. Much of the walkway follows the foreshore and offers pictureque harbour views . This is a walk of variety – parks, developments, wharf and historic homes.

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West Harbour Loop

Have  a picnic with a view to Auckland City
Have a picnic with a view of  the Harbour & Auckland City

Starting by the West Harbour Marina, the West Harbour Loop walk is fully paved, winds through wonderful bush and provides stunning views over the water back to Auckland city.  There are a range of facilities at Luckens Reserve to make this walk more comfortable.

This is a walk to add to your list!

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5 Cool walks in auckland

This weather is looking stunning this Auckland Anniversary Weekend and here are 5 walks we suggest you could try that are both spectacular and nice and cool! Walk these tracks in the shade of some magnificent NZ native bush.

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Titirangi and French Bay Loop

Titirangi and French Bay Loop

This walk begins near the ridge village of Titirangi and follows the path down through Atkinson Park to Titirangi Beach and French Bay.

Much of the walk is through regenerating native bush with the occasional tall old tree, totara and kauri, to look up at in awe, as well as groves of young kauri. You will pass by a small waterfall, and today it was very dry.

On a fine day, the beaches on the edge of Manukau Harbour glisten in the sunshine. Take a picnic to have on the grass.

Part of the track is in good condition, and another part would be difficult to navigate in winter. Sturdy shoes are recommended.

Playground and public toilet at Titirangi Beach.  Dogs on leash. Stripe Cafe recommended.

Description: Some level paths with many steps and steep inclines. Suitable for most ages and levels of fitness and mobility, designed with sturdy flat shoes or running shoes in mind. Muddy in winter.
To see: Native bush, stream, Manukau Harbour beaches.
Time: approx.75 minutes (about 6.0 kms). Descent 266m, ascent 257m.
Start:  Atkinson Park, Park Road (between South Titirangi Road and Titirangi Beach Road). MAP

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map brochures over at our Walks Store.

Oratia Stream Loop

Oratia Twin Streams walk and cycle way

At last! Beautiful blue skies and sunshine. A perfect Fathers Day. And of course, a perfect day for a walk. We decided to check out the Oratia Twin Streams walk and cycleway to see if we could include it as part of a fun circular walk. We did it!

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Best walks in Auckland

We don’t really think that there are any best walks in Auckland – they all are great. But to fit each area of Auckland into a handy size book, we did have to choose some of our favourite short walks to share with you, as we could not include them all.

As with all our books, these ones include maps, directions, colour photos plus other bits of information (places of interest, playgrounds, dog off leash exercise areas, cafes, picnic sites).  They will help guide you/and your friends and family, as you discover the hidden gems of Auckland.

These “Best walks in Auckland” books will become available from Amazon and your local Auckland library.

Best of the West - Short Walks in AucklandWe started with “Best of the West“…
 In this edition, we take you on twelve circular short walks that have been selected to give you a good sampling of the diversity of urban West Auckland. Our walks take you from Blockhouse Bay to Henderson, from bush to coast, through reserves and alongside streams, alongside the southern Manukau Harbour and the northern Waitemata Harbour. Available from CreateSpace and Amazon.

Best of the East: Short Walks in Auckland Then we head over to “Best of the East“…
These thirteen urban walks have been chosen to showcase the beauty of East Auckland. Our walks take you from Orakei to Botany; you can enjoy the stunning views of the Waitemata Harbour, the lush native bush, volcano sites and the waterways.
Available from CreateSpace and Amazon

 

 

Best of the South: Short walks in AucklandAnd then onto “Best of the South”.
These twelve urban walks have been chosen to showcase the beauty of South Auckland.  We guide you on walks from Mangere Bridge to Papakura. You can enjoy the stunning views of Manukau Harbour, the lush native bush, ancient volcano sites and the secret waterways that make South Auckland unique.
Available from CreateSpace

Glen Eden Bush and Stream walk

Glen Eden is undergoing stream restoration and cycleways development as part of the Twin Streams Project, so we set out for an exploratory walk to see what we could uncover.

We started off at Ceramco Park, but if you are arriving by train, you could take the Upper Waikumete Walk and Cycle Way starting from the corner of Captain Scott Road and West Coast Road, turn right into Savoy Road to continue to Ceramco Park. We followed the Waikumete Stream, footpaths, walkways and tracks through native bush and wetlands, over bridges and along pleasant residential streets, making this an enjoyable short urban bush walk.

Dogs – Off leash exercise areas within reserves and parks.

Nearby Walk: Glen Eden and Waikumete Cemetery Circuit Walk

Description: Mainly flat with one steep road. Suitable for most ages and levels of fitness and mobility, designed with flat shoes or running shoes in mind. Suitable for pushchairs.
To see: Waikumete Creek, wetlands, native bush, kauri trees.
Time: approx. 60 minutes (about 5.47kms).
Parking:  Ceramco Park.
Start: 120 Glendale Road, Glen Eden. MAP

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AW-099 Glen Eden Bush & Stream Walk) over at our Walks Store  and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Dog Friendly Part 2” “Best of the West“).

Henderson Creek Loop

It turned out to be a wonderful warm spring day – perfect for exploring the pathways beside Henderson Creek in West Auckland. The previous Waitakere City Council has spent a great deal of ratepayers money on providing walkways and cycle-ways throughout the district. It was heartening to see people make the most of them as we walked alongside the Creek.

Hopefully the “International Walkway of Trees” section will become a wonderful legacy as many of the trees were gifted and planted for future generations by representatives of the ethnic communities living in Waitakere City as at October 2000.

Henderson Creek © 2011-2013 Unleashed Ventures Limited

What was missing though, was signposting and maps to indicate where you were and how far to go. We had printed off our own map before starting off, but for newcomers without a map, they could only venture there and back, for fear of getting lost.

Henderson Creek was once a hive of activity for traders, vintners, farmers, orchardists and families, and the area was also known for it’s timber milling industry.

We did enjoy our 4.5km walk – the sun was shining, the birds were singing, we were sheltered from the cool breeze and this was a part of Auckland that was new to us. To top it all off, we had a delicious coffee at The Falls Restaurant – sitting outside in the sunny courtyard.

Dogs – Off leash areas within reserves and parks.

Description: Mostly level paths.
Suitable for most ages and levels of fitness and mobility, designed with flat shoes or running shoes in mind. Suitable for pushchairs.
To see: Henderson Creek, historical sites.
Time: approx. 60 minutes (about 4.5kms).
Parking:  Public carpark (free on Sundays).
Start: Corner Edmonton Road/Alderman Drive.
MAP
Playground: Tui Glen Reserve (includes a flying fox).

Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AW-094 Henderson Creek Loop) and other walk self-guides at our Walk Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Dog Friendly Walks part 3” and “Best of the West”).

Moire Park Bush Walk

We have done this Moire Park Bush Walk in Massey, West Aucklandtwice previously and this time we returned to make use of the yellow walking/cycling bridge that now crosses the motorway.

Note: this GPS Google Map is of Moire Park and does not include some of the extra walking described in the description below and brochure.

The walk now begins from Westgate Shopping Centre with the option of starting from the Moire Park sports complex off Granville Drive, if preferred.  There is a short stretch of street walking, but the majority of the walk is off road with a long stretch through native bush, following the Manutewhau Stream.

View from Flaunty Reserve © 2011-2013 Unleashed Ventures Limited

There is a collection of children’s playgrounds (some with flying fox) that could provide a great incentive for doing the walk with children, and if you take some bread, you may wish to feed the ducks in the ponds near Westgate.

The view from top of Flaunty Reserve across Auckland Harbour to the city can be breath-taking.

Description: A mix of level paths and steep paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. Muddy tracks after rain.
To see: Auckland City views, Waitakere Hills view, views of Te Atatu Peninsula, native trees and fauna, urban development. Childrens playgrounds. Dog friendly off leash areas.
Time: approx. 75 minutes. (about 6 kms)
Parking: Westgate Shopping Centre.
Buses: Westgate Shopping Centre MAP

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AW-031 Moire Park Bush Walk) over at our Walks Store  and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Urban Bush” and “Dog Friendly Walks part 1” and “Best of the West“).

New Lynn pottery and parks

Manawa Wetland Reserve © 2011-2013 Unleashed Ventures Limited

This walk in New Lynn (West Auckland) explores either side of the town centre and takes in Olympic Park and it’s popular children’s playgrounds, and the wetlands of Manawa. The Park and the Wetlands has a community of ducks and pukekos.

According to the TimeSpanner: “The Manawa Wetland Reserve has been redeveloped from a dump for Crown Lynn  rejects, before the clay was scoured out for bricks and pots and other thing, and it was the site of the poudrette factory, and before that, it was New Lynn’s Waterfalls Estate in the 1860s.”

Watch video Manawa Wetlands – Anywhere Auckland

To research the clay and brick history of New Lynn, get lost in Papers Past.

Taking the train to New Lynn could be the start of a day’s outing.  Do this walk along this side of the Whau River in the morning, have lunch in New Lynn, visit the Mall and then do the Avondale Whau River walk on the other side of New Lynn.

Description: Mix of flat and undulating paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility.
To see: Olympic Park, Manawa Reserve Wetlands, Gardner Reserve, Ambrico Kiln, Whau River
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.25 kms) Children’s Playgrounds: Olympic Park
Start: Olympic Park (off Wolverton Street)
Buses/Trains: New Lynn Train Station (MAP)

Best of the West - Short Walks in Auckland

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AW-076 New Lynn Reserves) over at our Walks Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Best of the West“).

West Harbour Circuit

West harbour walkway. Copyr

West Harbour is tucked in between Hobsonville Point and Moire Park.  The walk circuit is short and does provide a couple of viewing points east to the city skyline. Start at the Waipareira Walkway at the West Harbour Marina and enjoy a coastal walk meandering in and around many little inlets, passing by wetlands and through native bush. If you are lucky, you may catch glimpses of bush birds like fantails and tui. There’s a nice picnic spot and children’s playground at Luckens Reserve (the swimming beach is below the reserve).

Find our GPS Google Map and further information here.

The tide soaked mangrove forest, provides a buffer between land and sea and is a nursery for fish and a safe haven for the many seabirds that nest there.

It is interesting to see the change in residential housing from mansions to more modest accommodation.

Visitors to Auckland may wish to catch a ferry to West Harbour, do the walk and then stay for lunch at either the cafe or restaurant, before returning to downtown Auckland. At Clearwater Cove you have the option to extend your walk by visiting the West Park Marina to watch the boats come and go.

Dogs – off leash exercise areas within the reserves.

Description: Mainly level paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility.
To see: Clearwater Cove marina, views of Auckland City, Mangrove, native brids
Time: approx. 90 minutes. (about 5.75 kms)
Start: Clearwater Cove Marina, West Harbour MAP

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AW-074 West Harbour Circuit) over at our Walks Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Coastal part 2” and “Best of the West“).

Moire Park, Massey

Walks in Auckland This is the second time we have been to Moire Park in Massey/West Harbour West Auckland (the first time was 12 months ago).  The park has many paths of different grades to suit all kinds of walkers. The walking circuit we have documented takes in the variety of the paths and scenery – from native bush to a hill view of the City.

This is a dog friendly walk. (See other Dog Friendly Walks) And there is a variety of playgrounds for children to enjoy. There is a BBQ and picnic area available.  And a Pump Park for young cyclists.

walks in auckland

We studied the map near where we parked the car in Granville Drive (a great looking children’s playground nearby). We thought we had it sussed and set off. We had a print-out of the map with us because even though there are markers pointing out the tracks, they are not numbered or colored. This area would be enhanced with better sign-posting.

Note: this GPS Google Map is of Moire Park and does not include some of the extra walking described in the description below and brochure.

Description: A mix of level paths and steep paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. Muddy tracks after rain.
To see: Auckland City views, Waitakere Hills view, native trees and fauna, urban development.
Time: approx. 75 minutes. (about 6 kms)
Start: Westgate Shopping Centre. MAP

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store  (GS-031 Moire Park Bush Walk) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Urban Bush” and “Dog Friendly Walks part 1”).

Sport Waitakere Walk It series

Sunday the 19th February 2012 at 8am is the start of the 2012 Sport Waitakere “Walk It Series“.

Walks in Auckland has contributed 5 walks to this series –

6pm Thursday 1st March from ANZ Henderson
6pm Wednesday 28th March from National Bank Blockhouse Bay
6pm Tuesday 1st May from National Bank New Lynn
6pm Tuesday 29th May from National Bank Glen Eden
6pm Tuesday 26th June from ANZ Westgate

Join in and discover walks in your own back yard! It is FREE! See below for more details.

walks in auckland

Westgate Loop walk

walks in Auckland

It has been a challenge to find an interesting walk from Westgate Shopping Centre that meets our criteria – this one is not one of the best, but it does have a small amount of bush and a few ponds (where there are ducks that would be happy to be fed) to break up the monotony of new residential and the big box shopping area. Dogs on-leash.

It is great that a bridge has been built for pedestrians/cyclists to cross the Northwestern Motorway, to and from the West Harbour side. A walk to Moire Park is now achievable, and the residents of Massey and West Harbour have easy access to the shopping area.

This short loop walk begins from the cafe (Robert Harris and Sierra) area, and leads down to the newly formed ponds. We followed our noses and were surprised to find that we had walked as far as Royal Reserve.

One gem on this walk is the view towards the city skyline – an unexpected bonus.

Best of the West - Short Walks in Auckland

Description: A mix of mostly level paths and slightly steep paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather.
To see: Native trees and fauna, new housing developments, City view.
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 3.4 kms)
Start: Westgate Shopping Centre MAP

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map, download this walk for FREE here and from our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Best of the West“).

Avondale Whau River walk

walks in Auckland

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“).