We made the most of today’s fine weather and walked the circumference of Hobson Bay. Many of our walks touch on parts of Hobson Bay Walkway but to do the full circuit, we needed a low tide (check the tides here).
About half the route is along the busy roads, until we climb the ridge via Pt Resolution Bridge beside the Parnell Baths, to the quiet streets of Parnell and then back down again to the Bay and along the Freda Kirkwood Walkway.
The painting above depicts what can be seen along the route, there is plenty to look at – trains, boats, sheds, birds, mangroves, board walks, beautiful houses; with views of Rangitoto, North Head and Mount Victoria.
We started this walk from Orakei Train Station, but you can choose your own start point at a convenient place along the circular 9km route.
Description: Mostly level paths, with some steep paths and steps. Suitable for most ages and levels of fitness and mobility, designed with flat shoes or running shoes in mind. Can be muddy on the foreshore. LOW TIDE access only.
To see: Boats, trains, beautiful houses, birds, boardwalks, mangroves.
Time: approx. 1 hour 45 minutes (about 9 kms).
Start: Orakei Train Station. MAP
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map brochure over at our Walks Store (AC-108 Hobson Bay Circuit).
Younger families might prefer a loop of Orakei Basin as there is only the end of a no-exit road to cross. However there are a few steep moments either side of Lucerne Road this could be unsuitable for parents to push a pram with their child in it. This walk can easy and quickly be walked with the help of a new wooden walkway at the no exit part of Lucerne Road to Meadowbank Road also using a walkway on the basin side running along side the eastern line railway tracks. There is no worry about having to sight see over mad as the tide is held in 24/7 by a gate lock.
Thanks for your comments Eric. We have documented all that in this walk: https://walksinauckland.com/orakei-basin-walkway-extended/
Could someone advise whether there is now a track down onto Hobson walkway from the parkland adjoining Parnell baths which would avoid walking along the road to connect much further along (assuming a reasonably low tide)
Thanks
Joy
Hi Joy,
We walked around that area recently and there was no connecting path from the Parnell Baths to the Freda Kirkwood Walkway along Hobson Bay.
There are plans for the future…. https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/east-bays-courier/8867679/Hobson-Bay-plan-released
Regards,
Helen
It’s now Feb 2018, and plans and maintenance on the Hobson Bay walkway seem to have abandoned. A downed tree across the new board walk was only partially cut back, there are no signs of a stairway to the Parnell Baths, at mid tide I had to turn around a short way beyond Awatea Rd because of the inaccessibility of the eastern end of the walkway. I’m so sad because this would be such a wonderful walkway if it were to be upgraded to a full loop around the bay.
Hi Bethny,
Have you contacted Auckland Council about this? Use this link https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/report-problem/Pages/default.aspx
Regards,
Helen