Tag Archives: Public Toilets

Volcanic Kohuora Park

August 31, 2020 Richard Wagener Leave a comment

This is one of our smaller loop walks but a delightful one, boasting native bush and many birds. Kohuora Park is full of surprises – not only is it one of Auckland’s 50 volcanoes but is the home of the Papatoetoe Panthers Rugby League Club. The kids will also enjoy the playground.

Kohuroa Volcano Boardwalk — Enjoy the elevated boardwalk through the wetland

The volcano at Kohuora Park is about 600m across and defined by a tuff/rim that is about 30m high, some of which still remains today. The track is mostly flat and incorporates paved walkways and boardwalks.

Walk Time	15 – 40 mins
Surface	Paved or Boardwalk
Difficulty	1
Buggies/Wheelchairs	Flat and easy walkway
Facilities	Toilets, Water, Playground
Highlights	Native Bush, Grass Fields

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

Kohuora Park Downloadable Map Download

Kohuora Park & Volcano Walk Descriptions

Kohuora Park is one of Auckland’s hidden parks, probably one only known by locals and rugby league fans – it is the home ground of the Papatoetoe Panthers Rugby League Club. It is also one of Auckland’s 50 volcanoes, measuring about 600 meters across and 30m deep.

The tracks consist of primarily two large loops that thread their way between native bush and grass fields. The walkways are paved or boardwalk and mostly flat, with just some smaller undulations. There are marshlands that can in places overflow sections of the track in seasons where there is heavy rain – certainly, there were aspects of the track that were underwater when we completed it but it was still all passable. The local ducks were celebrating :).

We commenced our walk at the carpark closest to the tracks and walked clockwise. If you have the time, make the effort to complete the outer circuit, approximately about 2km – its a peaceful native bush walk, interrupted by plenty of wonderful birdlife – pukeko, kingfisher, white-faced herons and more waders. The northern part of the track contains a little undulation as it rises up some of the crater tuff.

The Tohuora Park can via the Papatoetoe Train Station, with just a few minutes walk.

Buggies/Wheelchairs

This walk is great for buggies and wheelchairs due to its relatively flat nature and paved walkway.

Dog Friendly

Kohuora Park is suitable for dogs and includes an off-leash dog area also. As with all Auckland Parks, dogs should not be on the sports fields.

Kohuora Park Information and History

Auckland Nature Walks, Auckland Volcano walks, Dog Friendly Walks

Orakei Basin Walkway extended

September 1, 2013 Helen 2 Comments

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

Orakei Basin Walkway (3.45km/6.45km)

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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.

Auckland Nature Walks, Dog Friendly Walks, Walks in Auckland Central

Blockhouse Bay Tiriwa walk

August 24, 2013 Helen Leave a comment

The Blockhouse Bay Tiriwa walk in Auckland follows the high cliff edge alongside Manukau Harbour to Green Bay Beach and then continues inland to Craigavon Park.

This is another newly discovered gem for us. The Pathway of Tiriwa (Te Ara O Tiriwa) is named after a Maori chief who lived in the area pre-canoe days. The pathway takes you through Punga ferns and mature Puriri trees. Native pigeons feed here in summer months.

There are steep steps down and up the small gullies along the pathway, and the track was muddy today but not too bad (best to walk in dry weather).

We stopped for refreshments at the newly opened The Block cafe in the main street of Blockhouse Bay. What a wonderful “buzzy” community friendly place – and the menu looked mouth watering. The brunch plates that were being served looked generous.

Dogs – this walk includes an off leash dog exercise area in Craigavon Park.

This walk also includes children’s playgrounds, picnic spots with BBQ’s, a fitness trail, public toilets – and hungry ducks to feed.

Description: Bush track, steps, inclines. Muddy in places when wet. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility.
To see: Native bush, views across Manukau Harbour, native birds
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.0 kms).
Parking: Blockhouse Bay Reserve
Buses: Blockhouse Bay Road MAP

Blockhouse Bay Tiriwa Walk (5.0km)

$1.95

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Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store (AC-087 Blockhouse Bay Tiriwa Walk) and from our …

Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Dog Friendly Walks part 2″ and “Best of the West“).

Click photos to enlarge.

Auckland Volcano walks, Dog Friendly Walks, Teen friendly walks, Walks in Auckland East

Orakei Basin walkway

December 16, 2012 Helen 9 Comments

The Orakei Basin walkway upgrade that began in 2010 is complete. The concrete has been poured onto a new pathway on the Macpherson Track. And it is fantastic! The bridge over the Orakei Creek is beautiful. Now Orakei and Meadowbank are connected by a boardwalk along the railway line that both pedestrians and cyclists can use.

Orakei basin walkway

There is a pathway from Orakei Railway station and under Orakei Road that leads directly onto the boardwalk that crosses Orakei Basin beside the railway line. It is now easier to catch the train to Orakei and walk around the basin, then return and stop at the Kings Plant Barn for refreshments at the cafe.
(* Teen friendly walk)

The morning was still, clear and sunny causing the reflections on the water to be almost perfect. This tidal lagoon is in a volcanic crater. It was high tide, which we were not expecting. This walk takes you through small patches of bush and up high onto the ridge for a view of the city skyline.

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. 45 minutes (about 4 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 (GS-017 Orakei Basin walkway) and our Book Store ( one of 12 walks featured in our book “Volcanoes”) or…you can download this free Orakei Basin walkway map from Auckland Council.

Auckland Nature Walks, Auckland Wetlands and Waterways, Dog Friendly Walks, Family Cycle Rides, Things to do with children, Walks in Auckland East

The Cascade Walkway

June 10, 2012 Helen Leave a comment

The Cascade Walkway (7.5km of shared paths between Meadowland Drive and Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga) is another area that has been on our list to explore. We set out from Howick Historical Village hoping to find well sign-posted walking paths. The best we found was a post with two arrows on it! (New signage has been installed since our first visit).

The paths are great for cycling and walking (with your dog and/or your children). There is diverse birdlife and native plants and trees. We were surprised by the lack of picnic/BBQ facilities, public toilets and children’s playgrounds within the Cascade Reserve. However, we did come across 3 children’s playgrounds in total, making this a short family friendly walk.

Near the Historical Village is an area to play with marbles, and another area for kids to ride their bicycles on a specially made track. There is a duck pond and some bench seats along the walkway nearby.
We had lunch and coffee at the Homestead Cafe (the homemade bacon and egg quiche was very tasty).

You can find the Auckland Council’s information on the Cascade Walkway here.

Dogs – off leash exercise areas available (see more Dog Friendly Walks)

Suitable for family cycling:Between Meadlowland Drive and Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga, 7.5km.

Description: Mainly level paths and a few slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. Mostly concrete paths with a small stretch of dirt track under trees. Buggy/pram friendly.
To see: Creeks, birdlife, small waterfall, bridges, tunnel. View of Rangitoto Island, Pigeon Mountain, Mt Wellington, Waitakere Ranges and One Tree Hill
Time: approx. 75 minutes. (about 6 kms)
Start: Bells Road off Cascades Road/Pakuranga Road MAP

Cascade Walkway Loop (6kms)

$1.95

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Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map of the AE-040 Cascade Walkway Loop at our Walks Store and our Book Store (“Dog Friendly part 3” and “Best of the East”).