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).
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
I have driven past Olympic Park New Lynn many times thinking it was only a children’s playground.
Yesterday we decided to stop and explore.
And we found that it is more than just a children’s playground and a wonderful place to bring children for a discovery outing, and a short family friendly walk.
It is an interesting small area with paths, streams, statues and children’s playgrounds and a sandpit. Older children may enjoy using their scooters to get around.
This a great little area for people with disabilities to explore too.
Today’s discovery walk was at Hobsonville Point. A good friend of mine had already told me about how wonderful the Catalina Cafe is on a sunny day. And then today I read about Hobsonville Pt Park children’s playground which is quite unique – made from sustainably sourced materials.
The family friendly walk explores the former air base with the very few remaining old buildings. There is a great deal of development going on with new housing and a planned ferry service to the CBD from ‘The Landing’ (which used to be the launching and landing place for flying boats, including Sunderland and Catalina planes). The historic buildings are being demolished at a fast pace to make way for new housing, so if history is your thing, get down there before it is completely gone.
The walking route is also suitable for prams/buggies and dog walkers (on leash only as of August 2014).
This walk takes about 60-80 minutes and is ideal for spring and autumn (too hot in summer and too muddy in winter). There is a lot to explore if you haven’t been here before. This is a dog friendly walk with an off-leash area and is a mostly flat walk.
Please note: As this area is under constant development, the walking route and the off leash dog exercise area, may be subject to change.
Description: Level sealed paths and bush track. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. Suggested spring/autumn walk. Caution: Muddy and slippery when wet. To see: Hangars, barracks, officers housing, seaplane slipway, Auckland harbour views, weekend markets. Time: approx. 60-80 minutes. (about 5.5 kms) Start: Opposite Catalina Café off Buckley Avenue MAP
You may wish to download our free Hobsonville Point walkway brochure when you enter your contact details here or find your own route here.
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AW-013 Hobsonville Point) over at our Walks Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Dog Friendly Walks part 3” and “Best of the West“.
I felt like a tourist in my home city this morning! The morning was stunning after last night’s opening of the Rugby World Cup 2011. The skies were blue and the water still in the harbour, with just a little mist left around the edges. I had not explored Northcote Point before (it would have been a fine vantage point for the previous night’s fireworks display).
We had not prepared a route – it was a discovery walk and we were well rewarded. Views of Auckland City. Dwarfed by the pylons of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. A new-found path along the motorway. And an interesting mix of old and new residential homes. Plus children’s playgrounds as a reward for children. All made for a fun walk.
Download the Council’s Heritage walk brochure here.
Description: A mix of level paths and steep paths/steps. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. To see: Auckland City views, Waitemata Harbour views, Harbour bridge foundations. See if you can spot Mt Eden, Mt Victoria and the Chelsea Sugar Refinery. Time: approx. 70 minutes. (about 5.85 kms).
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AN-021 Northcote Point Loop) over at our Walks Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Coastal part 1”).
Today’s walk around Lake Pupuke in Takapuna was a discovery one.
I have been here only a few times – with my children when they were little and once to a garden sculpture exhibition.
I had not realised that you can walk the circumference, although unfortunately not completely by the lake edge.
However the bits by the lake edge – Killarney Park, Henderson Park, Sylvan Park, Kitchener Park and the Quarry Lake Reserve more than make up for the street walking. There is lots to see at the lake edge, from the water birds to the water activities (sailing, wind-surfing, canoeing and model yacht racing). For more info about Lake Pupuke click here.
Lake Pupuke walkway track was muddy in places but would be ideal walking from November to perhaps June. From September to December the path from Henderson Park to Sylvan Park is closed to allow the water birds space to nest and breed.
Even though the day was cold, windy and with spots of heavy rain, it was still a very enjoyable walk. We will be back to document the Lake Pupuke walk very soon (and hopefully the day will be sunnier).
December 2011 We came back on a lovely summer day. We stopped and had a delicious iced coffee at theCafe French Rendez-vous beside The Pumphouse.
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. To see: Lake activities, water birds Time: approx. 90 minutes. (about 7kms) Start: The Pumphouse carpark (MAP)
The Auckland CBD discovery walk is free for people who download my FREE report ‘What to do and see in Auckland’.
As I did not grow up in Auckland and also have not worked in Auckland City, the CBD is still a mystery to me. Many people think of Auckland City as just Queen Street and yet, there are small areas in Auckland that give character and colour to the city.
We set out from Britomart on a sunny Saturday morning, not really knowing what we would come across. The biggest surprise was finding a wee market in Britomart Place – open on Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm. It’s a market that sells fresh food which must be a treat for the local city residents.
Our walk takes us past historical buildings and through parks and reserves. We also take in lanes, arcades and courtyards. High Street is great for window shopping and Chancery has a buzzy feel from the cafes there.
Stopping briefly on Queen Street, we had fun watching a busker – dressed as a rugby player statue. He only moved when people gave a donation.
If you don’t come into the city often, then its time you caught a bus or train to Britomart to give yourself a treat – take a short walk in Auckland’s C.B.D.
Self guided short circular walks in Auckland for health, fitness and fun