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
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.
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)
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 freeOrakei Basin walkway map from Auckland Council.
Newmarket is a lively area with a wide choice of shops, cafes, cinemas and restaurants. For people who live or work in or near Newmarket, these five walks in Auckland take you through the back streets starting from Newmarket Railway Station. It is very easy for visitors to Auckland to catch a train or bus from Britomart. Or if you are travelling by car, then you could start from a place where parking is easy along the loop. Why visit Newmarket? The history of Newmarket
View from Mt Eden summit
Mt Eden Loop This walk in Auckland that starts from Newmarket Railway Station and takes you to the summit of Mount Eden, can become a day trip for those who have the time. You could leave Newmarket in time to arrive in Mount Eden village for morning tea or lunch, after taking in the views from the top of Mount Eden. Why visit Mount Eden?
After exploring the shops, you could then stop in Eden Gardens to enjoy what is on display, followed by lunch or afternoon tea and then perhaps a visit to Highwic House before heading back to Newmarket.
Otherwise, this one and a half hour walk provides a healthy workout.
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: Volcano Views, residential housing, Mount Eden Village shops, Newmarket boutique shops, Mt Albert Grammar School, entrance to Government House Time: approx. 90 minutes. (about 6 kms)
Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AC-055 Newmarket to Mount Eden Loop) and other walk self-guides at our Walk Store
Hobson Bay Walkway
Hobson Bay Walkway Loop Spring can be such a tease. We can have wonderful warm days where we think that summer is around the corner. And then we have days like today, windy with rain threatening. So with raincoats packed, we set out to walk from Newmarket Railway Station to the Hobson Bay Walkway.
We missed the rain for most of the walk, but when the skies did open up, we were close enough to Cafe Monet to drop in for a delicious hot coffee and wait for the rain to stop.
This walk is slightly longer than our usual, taking 90 minutes to cover just under 7.5kms. The route takes you through parks, reserves, boardwalks, bush and residential streets, from bustling Newmarket to the more sedate Remuera.
We suggest that this could be part of a day trip, so allow yourself time to explore both the Newmarket and Remuera shopping precincts or if it’s a fine day, take a picnic and enjoy the views from the edge of Hobson Bay or from Mount Hobson. Or you could sit on a park bench in Waiata Reserve or Newmarket Park and just watch the world go by and the dogs play…
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: Volcano Views, shore birds, residential housing, mangroves, boardwalk, Mount Hobson Time: approx. 90 minutes. (about 7.25 kms) Start: Newmarket Train Station or Victoria Avenue. Dogs: Off leash exercise areas in Newmarket Park, Waiata Reserve, Thomas Bloodworth Park
Mount St John Loop We walked south from Newmarket Railway Station today, and headed for the volcanoes of Mount Hobson and Mount Saint John. Going to the top of Mount Hobson is optional, however from the path alongside of the mountain, you can catch glimpses of Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island . From the summit of Mount Saint John there are fine views of other Auckland volcanoes.
This walk takes in the shops, cafes, and restaurants of Newmarket and the leafy suburban streets of nearby Epsom.
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: Volcano Views, residential housing, Newmarket Shops Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.56 kms)
Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AC-053 Newmarket to Mount Saint John Loop) and other walk self-guides at our Walk Store
Auckland Museum
Auckland Museum loop For people who live or work in or near Newmarket, this walk takes you through the back streets to the Auckland Domain and Auckland Museum, starting from Newmarket Railway Station.
It is mostly flat walk apart from the slight hill that goes up past Auckland Grammar School, Mountain Road.
Our surprise discovery today was Rannoch – an Arts and Crafts House with an amazing lava forest, and is home to over 100 sculptures.
Description: A mix of mainly level paths, slight incline going up Mountain Road. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Rangitoto Views, Auckland Grammar School, Maori TV HQ, Jubilee Building, Auckland Hospital, James Wallace Arts Trust “Rannoch” Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.29 kms) Cafes: Numerous in Newmarket Children’s playgrounds: Outhwaite Park
Nearby attractions: Newmarket boutique shops (Nuffield and Osborne/Teed Streets) , Domain Winter Gardens, Domain Sensory Gardens, Newmarket Pool, Newmarket cinemas (Rialto and Event), Highwic House. On Saturday mornings there is a Farmers Market behind the Jubilee Building.
Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AC-052 Newmarket to Auckland Museum Loop) and other walk self-guides at our Walk Store
The Maze, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland
Parnell Loop It is very easy for visitors to Auckland to catch a train from Britomart to interesting places to walk in Auckland. You could start this walk from Newmarket Railway Station. Or if you are travelling by car, then you could start from Newmarket Park.
This diverse walk also takes you through a piece of urban bush, by a bubbling stream – a small wilderness walk in the city.
Dogs – off leash exercise areas in Ayr Reserve and Newmarket Park.
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: Newmarket Broadway, Jubilee Building, Auckland Domain, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Ayr Reserve Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 4 kms) Parking: Newmarket Park off Ayr Street, Parnell MAP
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store (AC-050 Newmarket to Parnell) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Dog Friendly Walks part 1”).
Special Newmarket ‘5-Walk’ Bundle
Purchase all five Newmarket walks to experience this amazing part of Auckland for a discounted price of $7.95. You will receive the downloadable files with walk description and maps for:
We began our walk today with a route in mind, starting off from Onehunga Train Station. But as we progressed we changed our mind and found a walk that neither of us had done before, taking in part of Onehunga’s foreshore (as of November 2015Taumanu Reserve).
View of Mangere Mountain from Onehunga Foreshore. The Foreshore has since been turned into Taumanu Reserve.
The walk follows the edge of the Onehunga Bay Reserve and then the edge of Manukau Harbour along Orpheus Drive. In summer, I would expect to see more shore birds. Even though the walk passes through part of the industrial area of Onehunga, it is still interesting.
This mostly flat walk can be accessed from Mangere Village also.
Onehunga Bay Reserve has a great wide open space (off leash dog exercise area) for dogs to run around in, and, at high tide, a lagoon to swim in. At low tide it is an esturine mud flat full of stinky, black mud (gumboots required in winter/after rain in the reserve itself). Cycle paths and a children’s playground included.
UPDATE 2013/2014: Auckland Council is “currently restoring the foreshore next to Orpheus Drive to bring back a natural coastal edge and create recreational opportunities for the community. The project will provide high-quality open space, beaches, a boat ramp and picnic areas. A new bridge will connect the new land to the Onehunga lagoon.” (source www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz) Video: Secrets of New Zealand’s new $28m beach
To see: views of Mangere Mountain, shore birds, Onehunga Wharf, mangroves, Waikaraka cemetery, industrial area, reclaimed beach at Taumanu Reserve. Time : approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.77 kms) Children’s Playgrounds: Onehunga Bay Reserve Dogs: Off leash area in Onehunga Bay Reserve (caution: muddy after rain). Dogs not allowed within Taumanu Reserve. Start from: Princes Street, Onehunga MAP
We stopped off at The Library Cafe for refreshments. There is a Columbus Cafe on the corner of Onehunga Mall and Princes Street.
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store (AC-046 Onehunga Foreshore Loop) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Coastal part 2” and “Dog Friendly Walks part 3”).
Another fine autumn day. And a wonderful walk in Auckland up through Onehunga Mall and across to the Pah Homestead in Monte Cecilia Park. This walk is certainly diverse! The Onehunga Railway station is a great spot to arrive in Onehunga at the southern end of the mall. From here you can either amble slowly and enjoy the curious collection of shops, seek out some of Onehunga’s landmarks or just push on up the hill. Once you reach Monte Cecilia Park you can enjoy the magnificent old trees and the views across to One Tree Hill and Mangere Mountain, before heading down to Onehunga Bay Reserve. Or you can linger longer and walk around Pah Homestead and view the art collection at the TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre.
Tree lovers may like to read this NZ Herald article: Growing our heritage
This walk takes in 3 children’s playgrounds and numerous cafes.
** Catch the train to Onehunga and consider making this into a day outing by taking the time to discover the places of interest along the way. Onehunga Heritage Walks. Dressmart Outlet Shopping offers a large range of products. Sunday indoor markets **
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: Historic cottages, Views of One Tree Hill and Mangere Mountain, Historic Homestead and parkland Time: approx. 90 minutes. (about 7.5 kms) Parking: Princes Street OnehungaMAP Buses: Onehunga (Municipal Place)
The Henderson Opanuku Stream walk comes under Project Twin Streams. A great deal of progress has been made. It is a very pleasant short bush walk among the native trees – two giant kauris and many macrocarpas, and the sound of birds. This is a dog friendly walk with an off-leash area. And a mostly flat walk.
More work needs to be done on making sign posting clear to encourage more people to get out and discover what a beautiful area it is. The area would also benefit from BBQ areas and children’s playgrounds to encourage more families to enjoy the outdoors.
The walking route is also suitable for prams/buggies and dog walkers (on leash only).
This is another walk that you can get to by rail and make it a day outing as Henderson Railway Station is close by. You may like to pack a picnic or take advantage of the Henderson Cafes.
Description: Mostly level paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Trees and fauna, stream, parks. Time: approx. 75 minutes. (about 5.2 kms) Start: Opanuku Reserve off Henderson Valley Road MAP
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AW-029 Henderson Opanuku Stream Circuit) over at our Walks Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Urban Bush” and “Best of the West“).
When I first came to live in New Zealand, I lived in Glen Eden. I had never visited Waikumete Cemetery until today. What an amazingly beautiful and fascinating place.
The Waikumete Cemetery takes up a huge area between Great North and West Coast Roads, with beautiful landscaping and fabulous trees. And there is so much history here – from the 1918 flu epidemic and the Gallipoli soldiers to the mausoleums of the wine magnates of Corbans and Nobilo. It is really worth visiting.
Part of this loop is a short bush walk where you may be lucky to hear the sounds of native birds, and even spot a rabbit dashing for cover.
The walking route is also suitable for prams/buggies and dog walkers (must be kept on leash within the cemetery grounds).
Description: A mix of level paths and steep paths/steps. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility (with good knees). May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. To see: Auckland City views, Waitakere Hills, trees and fauna, historical graves. Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5 kms) Start: Waikumete Road MAP
You may decide to arrive by train to Glen Eden railway station and make this a day outing. The ‘Pumped Cafe’ at the station has good coffee and food or there is a new Columbus cafe on the corner of Oates Road/West Coast Road.
Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AW-028 Glen Eden and Waikumete Cemetery) over at our Walks Store and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Best of the West“).
Self guided short circular walks in Auckland for health, fitness and fun
Suggested Cafés:
