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New future for short walks in Auckland

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As many of you may realise, I moved to Hawkes Bay just over 3 years ago, to retire with my husband. I have kept the Short Walks in Auckland project going, but because I am remote, I am now finding it impossible to keep routes up-to-date, find new ones and take the project up to the next level.

Happily, I have found the perfect person to take on the mission. Richard Wagener is an enthusiastic walker/runner and already documents walks on a website. I am leaving the project in safe hands. You will still be able to purchase the current walk brochures and books. However, Richard has plans to enrich that offering, to create an exciting new future for Short Walks in Auckland.

This project began in 2011. My friend Grace was the walk creator – with her knowledge of Auckland, she could “see” circular routes, and then it was up to me to map out, photograph, research and document the routes. At first, I relied upon my voice recorder and Google maps but then with the advancement of technology, the smart phone became a best friend and I was able to track our route. The best fun was when we were both pleasantly surprised by what there was to see. Beautiful wetlands, views and bush kept us inspired to explore more.

With over 100 walking routes, it is too difficult to say what our favourite walks are because of the diversity and uniqueness of each locality. I will leave it you to decide what your favourites are.

My two children were at high school age in 2011 when this project started, and unfortunately missed out on the discoveries. A highlight for me was when our daughter was studying Occupational Therapy at AUT, as she had a project that required two walks to be mapped out locally. I was very happy to help.

The last seven years of Short Walks in Auckland have been very rewarding.It was encouraging to get an email from The Women’s Bookshop in Ponsonby asking to meet me and then supplying them with our books. It was exciting to put together a bunch of walks for the University of Auckland Recreation Manager as well as having a common goal with Sports Waitakere.

I was contacted by Frank Goldingham who gave me the opportunity to make regular contributions to the Walking NZ magazine. Every two months one  of our walks was printed in the beautifully presented,  richly coloured monthly magazine, with walks from not only New Zealand, but all around the world. Our walks reached even more people over the years. (See the January 2019 issue for another of our short walks in Auckland.)

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Thank you to everyone who has done a Short Walk in Auckland. Your support has been very much appreciated. Now it’s time for fresh eyes and renewed energy. 

Wishing you all lots more walking and exploring.

Helen Wenley (last seen ebiking around Hawkes Bay)

CBD Walks, Walks in Auckland - General Information

Arriving in Auckland by Cruise Ship

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Recently we received an inquiry from Hawaii about arriving in Auckland by Cruise Ship . It reads:

Aloha! We arrive in Auckland on Christmas day and are looking for walking tracks near where the cruise ship will dock, or even if we need to take a shuttle or bus to get to it. We do not know our way around. What are the options for nearby scenic walking tracks from off the ship? Thank you!

The Ferry Building is an Auckland landmark at the downtown waterfront.

First of all, cruise ships dock in Auckland right next to downtown and within easy walking distance of Britomart Transport hub.
More Auckland port info: HERE

 

To plan your journey by bus or train visit Auckland Transport Journey Planner  (use Quay Street Auckland for your starting point). For ferries visit Fullers.

We have responded with some ideas and you can decide what you would like to do, depending on your interests and how much time you have available. If you are arriving on a public holiday, you may find many places/public transport are closed.

    1. Explore Auckland CBD.  Sign up for our Free eGuide and download the Free “CBD Discovery” . Time: approximately 60 minutes + time for loitering. All within easy distance from the port.
      Read more: CBD Discovery
    2. Take a bus to Parnell (or walk if you have the time). History and Rose gardens.
      Read more: Parnell – Roses, trains and cranes
    3. Walk to Victoria Park and up to Ponsonby.
      Read more: Victoria Park and markets
    4. Mission Bay is a seaside town that you can walk to along the waterfront (away from the harbour bridge) or catch a bus.
      Read more: Mission Bay to Okahu Bay
    5. St Heliers is further along from Mission Bay. It is a bus ride away. Here you can experience New Zealand bush and bird life in the Dingle Dell Reserve.
      Read more: Dingle Dell and St Heliers Circuit
    6. Karangahape Road is an interesting place to visit when the shops are open. It is easy to walk to from Queen Street.
      Read more: Karangahape Road and Parks
    7. Point Erin and harbourside is an easy walk from the port heading towards the harbour bridge.
      Read more: Point Erin and Harbourside
    8. Wynyard Quarter is an easy short walk from the port again heading towards the harbour bridge. It takes in the Viaduct Basin where Auckland held a previous Americas Cup from.
      Read more: Wynyard Quarter Waterfront loop
    9. Art Gallery Loop takes in not only the art gallery but other interesting places along the way.
      Read more: Auckland Art Gallery Loop
    10. Auckland Museum Loop starts at Britomart Transport hub and takes in interesting places along the route. If you have time, you can explore the Auckland Domain too.
      Read more: Britomart to Auckland Museum 
    11. Catch the ferry to Devonport for 2 walks.
      Read more: Devonport/North Head Loop and Devonport/Mt Victoria Loop
    12. Take the bus or catch the ferry to Northcote Point for 2 walks. Northcote Point Loop gives you views of Auckland City as well as the undercarriage of the Harbour Bridge. New Zealand bush can be enjoyed on the Le Roys Loop.
      Read more: Northcote Point and Auckland Harbour Bridge and Le Roys Bush.
Auckland Coastal Walks, CBD Walks, Family Cycle Rides, Walks in Auckland Central

Westhaven Promenade

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Without any obvious fanfare, the Westhaven Promenade unofficially opened yesterday (30th January 2015) for walking and cycling. And it is magnificent. Wide and spacious with wonderful views of our City of Sails. It really brings us close to the waterfront and we hope that many people will enjoy this facility. (Officially opened on the 16th February 2015).

Westhaven Promenade - short walks in Auckland
Taking in the view along Westhaven Promenade.

 

We have two walks that include the Westhaven Promenade: Point Erin and Auckland Harbour and Westhaven Loop Walk. The Promenade currently links The Sitting Duck Cafe and Beaumont Street (opposite Victoria Park).

The next stage is an interim cycle path to link North Wharf to this new boardwalk, as announced by Auckland Transport. 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: Development plans for Westhaven  News  Technical Bits and pieces

Meanwhile, here are some photos of Westhaven Promenade to entice you to go and take a walk!

Also suitable for family cycling:From Auckland Harbour Bridge to Wynyard Quarter. 2km.

Auckland Bush walks, Auckland Coastal Walks, Auckland Nature Walks, Auckland Volcano walks

Auckland Nature Walks

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We have complied four books of short circular nature walks in Auckland that help you to discover volcanoes, native bush and the vast coastal areas. These short walks are great for young children to learn about the environment, to appreciate what they can discover when they go out walking, and to obtain the pleasure of walking.

These four “Nature Walks” books are now available on Amazon and from your local Auckland library.

Volcano Walks in AucklandVolcanoes
The twelve volcano sites that we visit are: Three Kings, Glover Park, Lake Pupuke, Mangere Mountain, Mount Eden, Mount Victoria, Mt Albert, North Head, One Tree Hill, Orakie Basin, Pigeon Mountain and Meola Reef.

Urban Bush walks in AucklandUrban Bush
How many cities do you know that still contain the native bush? The twelve native bush areas we visit are: Bayview, Blockhouse Bay, Dingle Dell, Hillsborough, Le Roys Bush, Moire Park, Oakley Creek, Opanuku Stream, Parnell Albaron, St Johns Bush, Tahuna Torea, Totara Park.

Coastal Walks
From inlets to harbours there are many coastal paths to explore.
coastal walksin Auckland part oneCoastal Part one
The coastal areas we visit are: Ambury Park Farm, Blockhouse Bay Gittos Domain, Churchill Park, Hillsborough, North Head, Northcote Point, Parnell, Remuera to Hobson Bay, Tahuna Torea, Te Atatu Peninsula, Wattle Downs, Wynyard Quarter.

Coastal walks in Auckland part twoCoastal Part Two.
The coastal areas we visit are: Belmont, Conifer Grove, Half Moon Bay, Hobson Bay walkway, Mangere Esplanade, Mission Bay, Onehunga Foreshore, Point England, Point Erin, Takapuna, West Harbour, Meola Reef.

These four “Nature Walks” books are now available on Amazon, The Women’s Bookshop in Ponsonby and from your local Auckland library.