Tag Archives: Boardwalks

Orakei Basin Walkway extended

It’s been a while since we explored the Orakei Basin area.  The Auckland Council has done extensive work with the new boardwalks, repairing the slips on the bush track and concreting most of the walkway.

Families with young children would really appreciate having public toilets – there are none nearby. Either side of Lucerne Road there are steep inclines that could be unsuitable for parents to push a pram with their child in it, and also steep steps.

Orakei Basin Walkway © 2011-2013 Unleashed Ventures Limited

Today we explored extending the walk to include more of the surrounding suburb of Meadowbank – crossing bush-clad gullies and streams, the Waiatarua Bridge, the Orakei Creek Bridge and walking along Lucerne Road ridge.

This is a dog-friendly walk – the off leash area in the Orakei Basin Reserve between the waterski club and the carpark, is very popular.  The grassy area can be very muddy in the winter and gumboots are recommended.

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. 90 minutes (about 6.45 kms) or the shorter route 45 minutes (about 3.45 kms).
Parking: Near Kings Plant Barn, off Orakei Road near train station.
Buses: to Orakei Train Station
(Please note: no public toilets)

Suggested Cafés:Kings Garden Cafe does very good coffee (and lunches) as does Cafe Greenfingers at the Palmers Garden Centre

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store  (AE-017 Orakei Basin Explorer) and our Book Store ( one of 12 walks featured in our books “Volcanoes” and “Best of the East”)

or…
You can download this free Orakei Basin walkway map from Auckland Council.

Te Atatu Peninsula Walk

short walks in auckland

The Te Atatu Peninsula Walk provides wonderful views of Auckland harbour – the Chelsea sugar factory, the Sky Tower, Rangitoto Island and the Harbour Bridge. You could almost be on an island! And the water looks beautiful at both high and low tides, dotted with mangroves.

On the eastern side of the Peninsula, specially created salt marsh wetlands on the lower terrace at Harbourview – Orangihina provide natural habitat to an abundant wildlife (fern birds, New Zealand Dotterel, oystercatchers, herons, Caspina terns, godwit and varous gulls).

There are boardwalks and a picnic platform out over the water at Harbourview Beach Reserve.

The walking route is suitable for cyclists, prams/buggies and dog walkers (on leash only to help protect the bird life that lives around the foreshore).

Fans of the New Zealand TV series Nothing Trivial Season One may recognize Michelle’s house and her exercise path.

Description: 6.25km loop walk. Mainly level paths – a mixture of paved, loose metal and boardwalks . Caution: Puddles after rain. Suitable for most ages and levels of fitness and mobility, designed with flat shoes or running shoes in mind. Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Children’s Playground=Yes
To see : Waitemata Harbour views, natural habitat, shore birds MAP

Suggested Cafés: Luscious Food Store and Servo

Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AW-019 Te Atatu Peninsula) and other walk self-guides at our Walks Store and our Book Store (“Coastal Part One” and “Best of the West“).