Tag Archives: Rain

Westhaven Loop Walk

It has been a while since we have headed down to Westhaven and Point Erin Park.  We found three good reasons to make a return visit. It seemed appropriate to be down at Auckland’s waterfront while TeamNZ was enduring their second race of the competition for the America’s Cup! We had watched the new pedestrian bridge crossing the motorway from the steep steps of Jacob’s Ladder being built, but still had not traversed it.  And the dark grey clouds threatened rain and we did not want to be a long way from shelter.

Westhaven Pedestrain Bridge

And the results were…TeamNZ won their second race, the pedestrian bridge looks better when you are on it and we stayed dry!

Since we last visited,  the Council has built a new pathway that runs alongside the motorway, with panels that effectively screen the motorway traffic noise. It promises to be beautiful in December when the red flowers of the pohutukawa trees are in bloom.

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

Westhaven Promenade - short walks in Auckland

30th January 2015: The Westhaven Promenade is now open. This will form part of a 20km continuous walkway and cycleway that runs from Herne Bay in the west to Tamaki Drive in the east. Read more: Westhaven Promenade

Description: Mainly level paths, two flights of steps. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. Running shoes suitable.
To see:  Auckland City views, Rangitoto Island views, harbour views, Harbour Bridge.
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 4.24 kms).
Point Erin Park for Dog off leash area, Playground, Picnic site. Children’s scooter friendly apart from the steps.
Start: Westhaven Drive, Saint Mary’s Bay (Harbour Bridge end) MAP

Dog friendly walks in Auckland - part three

Suggested cafe: Sitting Duck

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store  (AC-088 Westhaven Loop) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Dog Friendly Walks part 3”).

Chelsea Heritage Park Loop

Winter is perhaps not the best time to do this bush walk starting at the Chelsea Estate Heritage Park – the track was very muddy and slippery – but we survived, and it was fun!

The pink Chelsea Sugar Refinery sits on the edge of Auckland Harbour.  From the shore there is a wonderful view across to the Harbour Bridge and City. Swan and ducks greeted us at the dam, expecting to be fed.

You can walk the beaches, feed the ducks, picnic by the ponds or go exploring around the 45 hectares of bush land at the Chelsea Sugar Refinery.

Auckland Harbour © 2011-2013 Unleashed Ventures Limited

Our walk takes us from the dam at the Chelsea Sugar Refinery through native bush along the cliff edge to Kauri Point Centennial Park and then inland to Chatswood Reserve.

There are a myriad of walking tracks and some are difficult to find after the recent rain and the dropped leaves from the trees covering the ground. Luckily we had our map, so we did not get lost! There’s plenty of native bush and birdlife to enjoy – the birds were singing loudly today.

Update October 2015The track from Chelsea Estate Heritage Park to Chelsea Bay/Telephone Road Reserve is currently being repaired and made accessible for pushchairs. Possible locations for a gate to separate the on-leash track from the off-leash grass and beach area are being decided as required by the Local Board after the Dog Access Hearings last year.
The track has had broken concrete removed, ruts smoothed out and drainage channels created. It has been resurfaced and compacted to give it the natural-looking surface that is used on DOC tracks.
The Chelsea bridge will be completely replaced next year.

Update August 2016 From the Kaipatiki Local Board
The new Chelsea Estate bridge project is now completed and ready to be walked, cycled and enjoyed. The new bridge is 2.7 metres wide and cost $287,000 to consent, design and build. Old piles from the old bridge were recycled at the new Island Bay Playspace and some went to a local resident keen to create a unique element within his new house build project.

Description: Part bush track. Very slippery when wet. Suitable for users of above average fitness and mobility.
To see: Chelsea Sugar Refinery, views across Auckland Harbour, native bush, ducks, swan.
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 5.0 kms)
Parking: Chelsea Sugar Refinery car park, bottom of Colonial Road
Buses: Mokoia Road, Highbury MAP

***Please note: September 2018 This track has been temporarily closed due to Kauri Dieback

Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AN-078 Chelsea Bush Walk) and other walk self-guides at our Walk Store.

Half Moon Bay West

Half Moon Bay. Copyright 2013 Unleashed Ventures Limited

Half Moon Bay was bathed in sunshine this morning – very welcome after a week of rain.  The walk west follows the cliff tops with fantastic views of Point England Reserve, Tahuna Torea, Rangitoto and Mount Wellington.

It’s been a while since we had visited Half Moon Bay; the last time there was a lot of building work going on.

We were prompted by Brett to return – this is his suggestion “A great one to commute to by ferry, go for a walk & check out the cafes, restaurants & bar at Half Moon Bay Marina, even a supermarket now at the marina. Best kept secret, free push bikes available from Grangers Restaurant & Bar!” Thanks for the tip, Brett!

Description: Mainly level paths, some steps and steep slopes. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility.
To see:Views of Tamaki Estuary, Point England Reserve, Tahuna Torea, Rangitoto, Mt Wellington.  Wetlands, Pukeko birds habitat.
Time:approx. 60 minutes. (about 4.7 kms)
Start from: Half Moon Bay Marina off Ara-Tai Road MAP

Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AE-070 Half Moon Bay west) and other walk self-guides at our Walk Store

Check it out: the Half Moon Bay ferry service

Hobson Bay Walkway Loop

Visitors to Auckland can  catch a train from Britomart to Orakei, and enjoy a walk along the Hobson Bay Walkway with views of three volcanoes – North Head, Mt Victoria and Rangitoto Island.  This walk in Auckland along the Hobson Bay Walkway also takes you up higher through the streets of Remuera with views of the Sky Tower, the Holy Trinity Cathedral and Auckland Museum. (You can also begin this walk from the car park at Martyn Wilson Fields Reserve.)

Hobson Bay Walkway with views of the 3 volcanoes.

Auckland Council has done a wonderful job  on the stormwater upgrade at the Martyn Wilson Reserve – we have been waiting months for this to be completed so that we could document this walk.

Other things to see on this walk are the shore birds that live in the mangrove swamps and creeks at the edge of Hobson Bay. Today we saw pukeko, herons, shags and ducks.  There are two children’s playgrounds and a dog off-leash area. The track can be a bit wet and muddy in places after rain.

For more photos visit our Facebook Page

The Martyn Wilson Reserve is opposite Palmers Garden Centre which houses Cafe Greenfingers.  This popular cafe is now en-route for this and two other of our walks:

1) Orakei Basin Walkway
2) Remuera to Hobson Bay

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
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 4.7 kms)
Start: Marytn Wilson Fields Reserve Map

Coastal part 2

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map (AC-051 Remuera and Hobson Bay Walkway) over at our Walks Store   and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Coastal part 2”).

Auckland Art Gallery Loop walk

A true winters day in Auckland with rain and a cold wind. There is shelter in the city as we wind our way through the inner streets and arcades, taking in the old and new buildings until we reach one of the newest, the Auckland Art Gallery.

If you are a visitor to Auckland you will find this walk will help you to get your bearings and introduce you to the city character.

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:  Arcades & lanes, Ferry Building, Albert Park, Auckland Civic Theatre, Auckland Art Gallery, Chancery Lane, High Street, Auckland Town Hall, Old Government House, Auckland High Court.
Britomart Place Market – open on Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm. It’s a market that sells fresh food, a treat for the local city residents and visitors.
Time: approx. 60 minutes. (about 4 kms)
Start: Britomart  MAP

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map brochure over at our Walks Store (AC-047 Art Gallery Loop Walk).

Onehunga Foreshore – Taumanu

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 2015 Taumanu 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

Coastal walks in Auckland part two

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”).

St Johns Bush

Walks in AucklandToday was my first visit to St Johns Bush. This little gem of a nature walk is in a reserve of beautiful native trees and bush, with a stream and a mighty Kauri tree.
This is a great spot to take vistors to show them native New Zealand bush without having to drive to the Waitekere Ranges.

The only sounds we could hear were the calling of the birds, the rain dripping off the trees and the running of the stream. All this in an urban area!

We arrived via a back entrance so we got a little lost at first, however once we found the main entrance and a map, it all became clear.

There is no nearby cafe, so we drove up to nearby Meadowbank shops and found a choice of 3 cafes.

Download this walk for free here or for longer walks that take in the St Johns area see Apirana St Johns Loop and Saint Johns Explorer

Walks in Auckland

MJ Savage Memorial Park

walks in Auckland

Despite the low grey clouds we set off on a new walk above Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay around the MJ Savage Memorial Park.

The views of the Harbour and City are spectacular.
Not a great walk after or in rain as the grass can be quite long and there is no pathway or track.

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

walks in Auckland

Interesting to see the memorial to Michael Joseph Savage (the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand and the founder of the welfare state) and the remains of defense fortifications.

One low point – it is difficult to cross Tamaki Drive safely, especially at the Kelly Tarlton corner where the footpath on the land side runs out. It is OK to use the tunnel under Tamaki Drive to cross to the seaward side, but there is a locked door if you want to cross from the seaward side.

MAP AC022

Waiatarua Reserve – fun for all

Walks in Auckland

Waiatarua Reserve has something for everyone. The reserve is a large wetland (see the pukeko and other water birds) with paths suitable for walking, jogging, wheelchairs  (not electric wheelchairs) and cycling (paths not suitable for small wheels like scooters).

The walking route is also suitable for prams/buggies with large wheels.

It  has a children’s playground, picnic tables, viewing platforms, a Basketball half court, a Skate park.

This is a dog friendly, mostly flat walk  (watch out for puddles after rain) with an off-leash exercise area. It has been called “Auckland’s best dog park” (See other Dog Friendly Walks).

In some places, you could imagine that you are a long way from civilization, because all you can hear are the birds and all you can see are trees.

The walk is signposted to be 60 minutes long, we walked just over 3 kms, which makes it a short family friendly walk.

Description: Mostly level paths with very slight inclines. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather.
To see: Wetlands, Ducks and Pukeko birds habitat.
Time: approx. 30-60 minutes depending on what you decide (about 3.3 kms)
Start: Car park off Grand Drive MAP
Suggested Cafe: Hollywood Bakery in Lunn Avenue

Dog friendly walks in Auckland - part one


Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store  (AC-035 Waiatarua Reserve) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Dog Friendly Walks part 1”).

Mission Bay – walking in the rain

Walks in AucklandIt was a big decision today, do we do the Mission Bay walk this morning, this afternoon, tomorrow… The weather was looking grim and the weather forecast even grimmer. We decided – this morning. It rained on and off, there was a bit of blue sky, and the coffee at De Fontein was very good!

Mission Bay buzzes on sunny summer bays with lots of activity in the water, the foreshore and the cafes. It was still busy today with people braving the rain because it was not that cold. What is there to do in Mission Bay? Click here.

This walk takes you along the short beach promenade and up on the clifftops overlooking Hauraki Gulf and the city skyline. You do have to look out for cyclists when you walk along the shared pathway.

Walks in AucklandMission Bay has a great choice of cafes, eateries (Japanese, Indian, Mexican, Italian…) and one special ice-cream parlor! Meet your friends by the fountain and enjoy the fresh salt air by the harbour.

 

Description: A mix of level paths, steep paths and 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.
To see: Wonderful views of Rangitoto, Hauraki Gulf and Auckland City.
Dogs: On leash only. Children’s Playground=Yes
Start Point: Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay

Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AC-018 Mission Bay Loop) and other walk self-guides at our Walk Store

Suggested Cafés: Various along Tamaki Drive
(the coffee is very good at De Fontein – reviewed here)

Martha Goldmine Pit Rim Walkway

Time for an out-of-Auckland walk.  The Martha Goldmine Pit Rim Walkway in Waihi is an interesting one hour walk.  The walkway has been developing over the last few years and since I last walked it about two years ago, further work on it has progressed.  Future plans are to turn the huge hole into a fresh water swimming lake.

But for now it is an education and a workout!  I like to start the walk opposite the Information centre in Seddon Street and turn left at the battery to walk in a clock-wise direction.  There are many places to stop and view the workings and machinery, plus read the information pinned onto the fence.

The walk is good on a cloudy cool day as in the middle of summer there is little shade.  There are slight uphills, a small shelter-belt of native bush and open grasslands and waterways, that provide contrast.  After rain, there are wet parts so it is wise to wear waterproof footwear.

Learn more, visit Waihi’s Walkways

Tahuna Torea nature walk

Tahuna Torea is a beautiful nature reserve and wetland (salt marsh and freshwater habitat) in Glendowie, East Auckland. This nature walk follows the estuary edge and through native bush. I was hoping to head there yesterday but the rain was too heavy. Today the skies cleared to reveal a warm autumn day perfect for another walk in Auckland.

The starting point is at Roberta Reserve – it is a space that children can enjoy with a playground in the corner. Roberta Reserve is an off leash dog exercise area, but no dogs are allowed within Tahuna Torea itself because of the shore and wading birds that wander freely in this conservation area.

Tahuna Torea introduces you to 25 hectares of unique wildlife sited on a long sand bank extending out into the Tamaki Estuary. It is rich in Maori history as well as native birds and vegetation. Native trees are well sign-posted and there are fabulous views of the sandspit and estuary. There are three main walking trails around the reserve and you can walk them separately or together. It is a fun bush and shore family friendly walk.

Check out the tides before you head out – at low tide you can explore the Sandspit Beach Walks and at high tide you can enjoy the beauty of the water.

Description: : A mix of level path and a steps. Suitable in dry weather. 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: Wilderness Nature Reserve. Estuary views, sand spit, mangrove lagoon, freshwater pond, native birdlife, and native trees, Hauraki Gulf views. Bring binoculars to view birdlife.
Time: approx. 45 minutes. Allow extra time to explore.
Start: On corner of Robert Ave and Riddell Road. MAP

Suggested Café:
Ronnies, Corner of Riddell Road and Roberta Avenue (they do great iced coffees!)

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store  (AE-010 Tahuna Torea) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Urban Bush”,  “Coastal part one” and “Best of the East”).

Churchill Park Loop

Churchill Park is one of a few walks in Auckland that does not have much shelter, so it was a great day to get into the park, with a pleasantly  warm sun and no rain.

The walk starts off going uphill and there are further gentle undulations – it fits the ‘fitness’ criteria! There is some variety – big pine tress, distant city skyline views, a path following a stream (where the Nikau Palms were showing off their red berries), a few cattle taking up what shade they could find and then once out of the park the fabulous views over the harbour and estuary.

Churchill Park, Glendowie Park and Roberta Reserve all have an off-leash dog exercise area and today there were dog owners taking advantage of the weather.

For children, there is an attractive playground area at the walk start and end point. Update June 2014: A recent redesign and reconstruction has transformed Roberta Reserve playground into a series of exciting, safe play spaces
for kids of all ages. For more adventurous youngsters, the park’s large colourful rope fort, eagle’s nest and swing basket are a real highlight.

Description:A mix of level paths, and a few steep paths. Suitable in dry weather. Suitable for users of all ages and abilities, suitable for normal footwear and for wheelchairs and pushchairs. May be muddy in places during the winter months.
To see: Sea views, city views, stream, private gardens, farm animals
Time: About 5kms (approx. 60 minutes).
Start: On corner of Robert Ave and Riddell Road. MAP
Playground: Corner of Riddell Road & Roberta Ave

Suggested Café: Ronnies Café, Corner of Riddell Road and Roberta Avenue (they do great iced coffees and date scones!)

Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store  (AE-007 Churchill Park) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our books “Coastal part 1”, “Dog Friendly Walks part 1” and “Best of the East”).