Tag Archives: Central Auckland

Kingsland Explorer

Today we explored a walk that we have driven past many times on the North Western Motorway.  This short walk in central Auckland starts off at Kingsland Railway Station, and explores the shops, residential streets, reserve and park in the local area (and like all of our circular Auckland walks – you may choose to start from other places along the route).

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Kingsland is full of character with interesting olde worlde shops, cafes, bars and pubs which were a great feature for the 2011 Rugby Word Cup.  Sitting in the cafe, you could imagine that you had gone back in time. Our retail discovery was a Made in New Zealand shop called Mixt Art & Design which has some very unique products.

Description: A mix of level and steep paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility.
To see:  Kingsland Shops, cottage style homes, bush track
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.0 kms)
Parking: Off new North Road
Start: Kingsland Railway Station MAP

Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AC-064 Kingsland Explorer) and other walk self-guides at our Walk Store

Greenwoods Corner walks

These Auckland walks start from Greenwoods Corner.
Greenwoods Corner is a small village in the Auckland suburb of Epsom, nestled under One Tree Hill. It is named after William Greenwood whose homestead was on the site of the current ASB Bank. The village has a selection of small businesses; a great butcher, good cafes, restaurants, clothing and gift shops, and friendly people. Buses come and go regularly.

At Greenwoods Corner you could purchase picnic food, and then head out to visit  One Tree Hill/Cornwall Park to see the lambs, or visit the Stardome Observatory, then take a walk around the retail area, see heritage buildings, homes built in the early 1900’s with well-kept gardens, and local parks.

Greenwoods Corner Village, Auckland

View of Pah Homestead

Pah Homestead Loop
This central Auckland walk starts from Greenwoods Corner, takes you through the streets of Epsom to the beautiful big park of Monte Cecilia where you can walk around and view the extraordinary TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre within the wonderfully restored Pah Homestead.

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: Suburban streets, Monte Cecilia Park, Pah Homestead, TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre, old trees – native and exotic, views of One Tree Hill and Mangere Mountain
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5 kms)

Walks in Auckland
One Tree Hill

Cornwall park/One Tree Hill Loop
Description: A mix of mainly level paths, and a few steep paths. Suitable for users of all ages and abilities, suitable for normal footwear and for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
To see: City views, harbour views, trees, Volcano, farm animals, observatory. The Park is home to many birds ranging from Native Pigeon, Fantail to California Quail, White-faced Heron and Paradise Shelduck.
Time: approx. 60 minutes (about 5.3kms)

You can download these free walks when you enter your contact details here

Remuera and Hobson Bay Walkway Circuit

Walks in Auckland

I really enjoy the diversity of Auckland at large and it is also a pleasure to find a walk that contains diversity within a small area. This walk in Auckland, takes us from the ridge of Remuera Village,  down to the edge of Hobson Bay walkway, onto a boardwalk amongst the mangroves via reserves and the Remuera mansions. You really get to know a city when you walk – we miss so much when we travel by car. This walk reveals some hidden Auckland gems.

Waiata Reserve is tucked in between Victoria Avenue and Orakei Road – a beautiful large space –  this is a dog friendly walk with an off-leash area.

Walks in Auckland

Cafe Greenfingers at Palmers Garden Centre on Shore Road is a great little cafe – the coffee is very good and so is the food.

This walk is one to do if fitness is a criteria – there is a decent uphill.   It can also be done in all weathers as all the paths are paved.

Description:A mix of level and steep paths. Suitable in all weather. Suitable for most ages and levels of fitness and mobility, designed with flat shoes or running shoes in mind. Not suitable for wheelchairs.
To see: Remuera mansions, park with mature trees, character shopping street with cafes and restaurants, mangrove trees, water views, ducks.
Time: approx. 60-90 minutes depending on pace.
Start: Waiata Avenue off Victoria Avenue. MAP

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map brochure (AC-015  Remuera to Hobson Bay) over at our Walks Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Coastal part 1” and “Dog Friendly Walks part 2”).

Hillsborough Cemetery to the Bays

The Hillsborough Cemetery to the Bays walk is one of the few walks in Auckland that does not have a nearby cafe. However, we feel that it deserves to be in our collection because it is quite magical – from the peacefulness of the cemetery, to the rustling of the bush and then the lapping of the water at the edge of Manukau Harbour.

There is a publication called ‘Not Just Passing Through – the making of Mt Roskill’ by Jade Reidy that devotes a page to Hillsborough Cemetery.
The cemetery contains resting places for about 17,000 people who were buried there from 1916.
Even the first man to go over the Niagara Falls in a barrel, Bobby Leach, is buried there.

The walk passes through the native bush of two reserves – Goodall Street reserve and Belfast Reserve. These two reserves have stands of native bush and fauna.

Dogs – this walk includes  off leash dog exercise areas.

At the bottom of the hill, you can get great views across Manukau Harbour to Mangere Mountain. And when the tide is in, the scene is set for a spot of kayaking!

Short Walks in Auckland: Urban Bush

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: Muddy and slippery when wet. Not wheel-friendly.
To see: Cemetery, native bush, harbour beaches, Manukau Harbour views.
Time: approx. 60 minutes.
Start: Hillsborough Cemetery corner Hillsborough Road and Goodall Street   MAP

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store  (GS008 Hillsborough Cemetery to the Bays) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Urban Bush” and “Coastal part 1”).

Walks in Auckland – Victoria Park and Markets

How do you recover after last night’s fabulous TV screening of the wedding of Prince William and Catherine?  Go for a walk in Auckland of course!

Today’s walk begins at Victoria Park Markets and takes us through the suburban streets of Freemans Bay up to Ponsonby Road via the well-hidden gem of Western Park and the sculptural installation by John Radford on Ponsonby Road.

Tunnel under construction

Victoria Park Markets have been upgraded and the last time we were there (2014), they were starting to look interesting.   Did you know that these buildings started life as “The Destructor; Auckland’s first rubbish depot”?  Read more at Suite101: History of Victoria Park Market

Western Park is a delight.  There is a comprehensive children’s playground that includes a flying fox and long slide, a fitness trail and wonderful trees such as the massive Moreton Bay Fig trees and Kauri trees and Cyprus trees to name a few. This is a dog friendly walk with an off-leash area. (See other Dog Friendly Walks)

This video gives a taste of Western Park.

Colourful Ponsonby Road is worth exploring and there many cafes and restaurants to choose from.  This area is also full of heritage buildings and places of interest.  Choose from four Ponsonby Heritage Walks.

A mix of level and steep paths. Suitable in dry and wet weather. Suitable for most ages and levels of fitness and mobility, designed with flat shoes or running shoes in mind. Not suitable for wheelchairs. To see : City dwellings, City tourist market, park with mature trees, character shopping street with cafes and restaurants. Dogs: Off leash area. Children’s Playground=Yes Time : approx. 60 minutes. Allow extra time to explore.
Start Point: Victoria Park Market


Find this walk and other walk brochures in Central Auckland here.

Walks in Auckland – One Tree Hill

Walks in Auckland


One of my “most-walked” walks in Auckland is the loop of Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill. This volcano walk is right on my doorstep, I can walk there from my home.

Each season of the year can be enjoyed in this park – from the lambs and daffodils in the spring to the autumn colours in April through to pohutukawa flowers in December. Even when the leaves have dropped from the old oak trees in winter, the trees still look majestic.

Tree lovers may like to read this NZ Herald article: Growing our heritage

Watch video highlights: Walks in Auckland – Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill

The park has many things to enjoy. There are large areas of grass for picnics and ball games. There are the cattle and sheep and birds. There are native New Zealand trees such as the pohutukawa and the yellow flowers of the kowhai, and introduced species such as the oaks and eucalyptus trees. The information centre next to the Cornwall Park Restaurant provides leaflets on all the trees in the park plus information on other aspects.

One Tree Hill is a volcano and it has a fabulous view from the summit that takes in views of other Auckland volcanoes (Mt Eden, Mt Hobson, Mangere Mountain, Rangitoto Island, Mt Wellington, Mt Roskill) as well as views of both harbours – the Waitemata and the Manukau.

The park has picnic areas and barbecues, a bandstand and flower beds. And places where children enjoy riding bicycles and scooters. It includes a children’s playground as well as the Stardome Observatory Planetarium. It really is a great place to spend a day.

For visitors who have to choose between visiting One Tree Hill and Mt Eden – One Tree Hill is a larger area with more to see, sheep and cattle, a cafe plus a fine view from the summit. Whereas Mt Eden has a huge crater and a fabulous view of Auckland City.

If you like a bit of a laugh, in 2008 my son James created a 12 part video series titled ‘Steve McGill of One Tree Hill’ which you may enjoy watching.  “Meet Steve, a farmhand on Auckland’s One Tree Hill who has many misadventures. He loves his job, his gumboots and his sheep.”

Description: A mix of mainly level paths, and a few steep paths. Suitable for users of all ages and abilities, suitable for normal footwear and for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
To see: City views, harbour views, trees, Volcano, farm animals, observatory. The Park is home to many birds ranging from Native Pigeon, Fantail to California Quail, White-faced Heron and Paradise Shelduck.
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.14kms).
Parking: Carpark, Manukau Road entrance.

12 Volcano Walks

Suggested Cafés:
1) Frolic Café, Manukau Road opposite the park entrance. We have had many coffees here – children friendly.
2) Cornwall Park restaurant and ice-cream kiosk
3) Various at Greenwoods Corner (Golf Road exit).

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map brochures over at our Walks Store  (AC-001 Cornwall Park) and our Book Store (Volcanoes). Or you can download it for free when you sign up in the box at the top right hand side of this page.

Parnell Roses, trains and cranes

There is so much to discover  when you take a walk in Parnell! One moment you can be in the solitude of a reserve and the next looking at large cranes moving shipping containers with a helicopter nearby warming up to take off, and a train swiftly moving along the tracks.

The weather did not look the best today with low grey clouds in the sky after a day of rain yesterday. So we took our raincoats and didn’t need them…

However, we chose a walk that would not get our feet too wet. But if you do want to get wet when it’s a lovely sunny day, then this walk takes you along Judges Bay and around the Parnell Baths via the Parnell Rose Gardens in Dove Myer Robinson Park (named after Auckland’s longest serving (18 years) Mayor – Dove Myer Robinson).
The walk takes us out along the end of Solent Street. The Council planted a row of native pohutukawa trees along the path in 2008 and a few years later they have grown significantly. We wondered how much they will grow in another few years and if they will hinder walkers…

The roses today were looking bedraggled because of all the rain. However, the fernery was stunning and a great place for children to wander around safely.

This is a dog friendly walk with an off-leash exercise area.

To make this a full day outing, you may wish to stay and explore Parnell, one of Auckland’s most interesting and historic suburbs.

Description: A mix of level paths and steep paths/steps. Caution: Muddy and slippery when wet. 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: NZ native ferns palms and cycads, roses, Waitemata Harbour views, City views, helicopters, cranes, big trucks, container wharf, Parnell Baths
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5kms)
Parking: Gladstone Road or Stanwell Street, off Gladstone Road, Parnell

Auckland coastal walks part one

Suggested Café: Rosie, 82 Gladstone Road

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map brochures over at our Walks Store  (AC-012 Parnell and Judges Bay Loop) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Coastal part 1”).

Walks in Auckland – Mt Eden/Maungawhau

Mt Eden/Maungawhau is one of the many volcano walks in Auckland, and one of the most popular places to visit.

Mt Eden boasts spectacular views of the city centre and surrounding region. Most people take a coach to the summit, hop out, take photos and then get back on the coach again.

Today, Grace and I walked around and over the summit in the summer humidity.

There are some shady tracks that do give relief from the heat. These tracks can be slippery when wet so we advise suitable footwear. Mt Edens walking paths and tracks are not as developed as the ones in Cornwall Park. It feels like more of a country walk than a city walk. But it does allow us to do the Mt Eden ‘Round the Maunga walk’.

As I mentioned the views are spectacular. Which is the highlight of this walk, as well as of course, getting the outdoor exercise. This is an excellent workout walk for people who are watching their weight because of the steep inclines and steps.

For visitors who have to choose between visiting One Tree Hill and Mt Eden – One Tree Hill is a larger area with more to see, sheep and cattle, a cafe plus a fine view from the summit. Whereas Mt Eden has a huge crater and a fabulous view of Auckland City. There is a good choice of cafes in Mt Eden Village, a children’s playground and an off-leash dog area.

Auckland City provide a Mt Eden Heritage brochure for people who enjoy history.  More info online here.

Find this walk and other walks in Central Auckland here.