Macleans Park and Eastern Beach

Today we explored Macleans Park and Eastern Beach – an area that was new to us.  The walk took us up and over the Park and down to the waterfront.  We were rewarded with wonderful views over the Hauraki Gulf/Tamaki Strait and were able to cool off in the snippets of native bush.

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This is a dog owners paradise -a very dog friendly walk with an off-leash area throughout the park. Dogs are allowed on the beach area from 7 pm to 9 am. The Auckland Council dog laws are:
Dogs are permitted off leash in ALL parks and reserves except those adjoining beaches with the above mentioned restrictions on times dogs are allowed on the beach. (See other Dog Friendly Walks)

The beach area is set up for picnics and there are children’s playgrounds.

Macleans Park is 36 ha in size. The gully areas and stream restoration plantings have helped to provide roosting and foraging habitat for kingfisher, fantail, pigeon, silver eye, tui and grey warbler native birds.

Note: the yellow line shows the Short Walks In Auckland recommended loop walk.

Click to open the Google Map in a separate tab or tap icon in top right of this map.

Download a printable version of the Macleans Park Downloadable Google Map

Macleans Park Track Elevation
Macleans Park Walkway Elevation

Description: A mix of level paths, steps and steep paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather.
To see: Hauraki Gulf/Tamaki Strait views, native bush, streams, beach
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 4 kms)
Start: Macleans Road opposite Murivale Drive MAP

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store  (AE-032 Macleans Park) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Dog Friendly Walks part 1” and “Best of the East”).

Walk TimeApprox 6 minutes (2.5 – 4km)
SurfaceDirt/Gravel, Grass, Paved
Difficulty2 – some hills but excellent track
Buggies/WheelchairSome hills are steep and there are some stairs
FacilitiesToilets, Playground, Flying Fox
HighlightsBeautiful native bush & birds, Flying Fox, Spectacular sea views, variety

8 thoughts on “Macleans Park and Eastern Beach”

  1. Dogs are allowed on the beach area from 7 pm to 9 am.
    Many people including dog owners are not aware that the council dog laws are:
    Dogs are permitted off leash in ALL parks and reserves except those adjoining beaches with the above mentioned restrictions on times dogs are allowed on the beach.
    Please people be aware of this. I’d like more people to be aware that also dogs are permitted on the pakuranga rotary walkway demo the Panmure bridge end at Kerswill Place all the way to the Wakaaranga reserve OFF leash. Council do not wish to make the signs more clear but I have been in contact with them about this. If anyone is not sure see the sign at Kerswill Place. This is a huge off leash walk but most people do not know about it.

  2. Thank you Sam, that’s great to know.
    I’ve just moved here and couldn’t find a sign on the beach yet noticed leashed dogs on the beach. Then was told by a few people i approached when/where the dogs can go unleashed 🙂

  3. Hi there. Have recently been hearing that East Auckland beaches are changing their dog walking restrictions and that dogs must be ‘on leash’ during the day in winter months and we’ll be given an extra hour during the summer months. My understanding is that this translates to SUMMER – ‘off leash’ 7pm-10am and prohibited the rest of the day, WINTER ‘off leash’ 7pm-10am and ‘on leash’ the rest of the day. I don’t believe that the rules for walking in Macleans reserve are changing at all. Does anyone know when this bylaw will come into effect and if these rules are correct? I can’t find any changes on the council website and the signage on Eastern Beach has always been practically non-existent, but as I do this walk most days and know the dog control people are passionate in their duty, I’d really like to make sure I’m up to date.

  4. Whilst Macleans Park is a wonderful place for walking, the tracks have deteriorated due to lack of maintenance. Be prepared for mud, puddles and uneven tracks in places.

  5. Thanks for the advice Helen but I’ve been contacting the Council for years and the have ignored me. However, The Council has recently made some (in the long term, inadequate) repairs to the tracks, so I wish to retract my comments of July 18, 2018.

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