Tag Archives: Sky Tower

Downtown and pink pathway loop

Enjoy a circular 8.5km central Auckland walk that takes in some of our cities great sites, including the historic Downtown Ferry Building, buzzing Wynyard Quarter, Victoria Park, eye-catching Pink Pathway and Auckland University. This adventure provides stunning views across Auckland, plenty of opportunities for cafe’s & ice creams and essentially circumnavigates the central city.

Auckland Pink Bike Path
The iconic Auckland Pink Pathway for walking and biking

We completed the route by starting by the Spark Indoor Arena (as more parking opportunities) and venturing in an anti-clockwise direction. Catching a bus or train to Britomart and walking to the Ferry Terminal and commencing from there would make a great starting point if you were making use of public transport.

Walk Time 2 – 2.5 hours (approx 8.5km)
SurfacePaved
Difficulty2 – hills from downtown to the pink pathway
Buggies/WheelchairsSuitable
FacilitiesToilets, Cafe’s, Drinking Fountains, Dedicated cycleway/walkways
HighlightsWaterfront, Pink Pathway, City Sites

Link to open Google Map in a separate tab or tap the icon in the top right of this map.

Download a printable version of the Downtown and Pink Pathway Loop Walkway Map.

Downtown and Pink Pathway Loop Description

Auckland Historic Ferry Building

We commenced our walk by the Spark Arena due to better parking but quickly made our way past the historic Auckland Ferry Terminal as we enjoyed the views of Auckland’s waterfront and harbour.

This is always a busy and bustling part of town as people come and go from the Britomart Bus & Train Terminal and Auckland’s Ferries.

At the Ferry Terminal are a range of cafe’s and restaurants, including the Island Gilato ice cream cafe. If you want to make a whole day of it, perhaps take a trip to Devonport also on a Fullers ferry. As you pass the wharf, maybe there will be a cruise ship to admire or just enjoy the sparkling Waitemata Harbour.

Check out Devonport walks here.

Cruise Ship in Auckland

Continue your journey heading to Wynyard Quarter, including a view of the historic vehicle lighter-basin draw-bridge before crossing the newer pedestrian draw-bridge. Take in the views of the large launches and yachts moored at the wharves. Wynyard Quarter and Tank Farm have been extensively redeveloped over the past few years and often have a variety of interesting entertainment and feature events.

Downtown Drawbridge

Next, head to ‘greener pastures’ as you leave the Wynyard Quarter via Beaumont St and enjoy the open spaces of Victoria Park, home of Grafton Cricket Club. There are also toilets and water, as well as playgrounds and a skate park. Enjoy the many beautiful large trees that inhabit this Downtown Auckland park. You may also want to take a small detour to Victoria Park Market, the most famous of Auckland’s markets.

Its now time to start your ascent which will eventually get you to the famous Pink Pathway. You have a choice of walking via Fanshawe St or Victoria St, both options include a steep climb and arrive on Nelson St, just a block away from the Sky Tower. This part of the walk includes plenty of road crossing and traffic lights but is safe and easy to navigate.

At the top of Nelson St, you are greeted with the entrance to Aucklands Pink Pathway, constructed to efficiently join the west side of the city center with the eastern side over the top of Auckland’s busy motorway spaghetti junction. It enables direct access to Grafton Gully and Auckland University, while also joining the Western bikeway. The Pink Pathway is well illuminated at night, making it a safe option even in the dark. Experience the hum of the city as you walk on top of the motorway and the views from the transparent sides.

As you leave the pink walkway, you head to Upper Queen St and follow the signs to the Grafton Gully bike-path/walkway. Follow this path downhill all the way back towards the bottom of Parnell. On your left is Auckland University and on your right is the Auckland Domain, Its a beautiful walkway and all the better enjoying it heading downwards! Once you return to near sea level, the path cuts through the base of Constitution Hill and along Beach Rd until making your way back to the Spark Arena or Ferry Terminal.

Buggies and Wheelchairs

The walk is suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. Just be prepared for some effort pushing them up Victoria and Nelson Streets,

History of Aucklands Ferry Terminal

Devonport Walks

Victoria Park Market

Pink Pathway

Mangere Bridge Walks

Mangere Bridge Village is a great little spot to start exploring Auckland’s Manukau Harbour area  on our loop walks. There is a rich variety of things to see – with over 10 volcanic craters and cones, as well as Ambury Park Farm, shore birds and the esplanade.

walks in auckland

You may wish to connect two or more of these four walks and make it a half day and/or full day walking experience. Or just do one walk at a time – it’s up to you.

 

Mangere Bridge loop walk in AucklandThe Mangere Esplanade Loop Walk follows the Manukau Harbour shore line where during the summer months you will be able to see the migratory birds.

 

 

Mangere Bridge to Onehunga Copyright 2014 Unleashed Ventures LimitedThe Mangere Bridge to Onehunga Loop Walk explores the historical parts of Onehunga. And you will be able to see the reclaimed beach “Onehunga Taumanu” and the progress being made of the old bridge replacement.

 

Ambury Park FarmAmbury Park Farm walks takes you through the farm paddocks and out to the wetlands and the harbour shore for bird sightings, and views looking up to Mangere Mountain.

 

Mangere Mountain © 2011-2013 Unleashed Ventures Limited All Rights ReservedThe Mangere Mountain Volcano Walk provides a birds eye view of the Manukau Harbour and the surrounding area, with views across to One Tree Hill and the Sky Tower, looking down on the explosion crater of Mangere Lagoon, and over to Ambury Park Farm.

Mangere Bridge ©2013 walksinauckland.comIf you are looking for a walk that is buggy friendly, then the Mangere Bridge Village loop walk  that starts (and ends, of course) at Mangere Bridge Village, and heads around the harbour edge, under the motorway bridge, partly through the industrial area, along the base of Mangere Mountain and returns along the Kiwi Esplanade will tick the box.

Nearby places to visit: Watercare Coastal walkwayAmbury Regional ParkVilla Maria Winery and cafeButterfly Creek,  Otuataua Stonefields historic reserve , Mangere Strawberry and Vegetable Farm @ 127 Kirkbride Road.

 

 

 

University of Auckland Walks – Tamaki Campus

Stage Four of the University of Auckland short walks project, with five walking circuits starting and ending from the Tamaki campus in Morrin Road.

If you would like free copies of these PDF brochures, please leave your request in the comment box below.

Stay on track…get other detailed guides with maps from our Walks Store

Maybury ReservePoint England Loop
This walk takes you through Glen Innes and Maybury Reserve (and its rows of feijoa trees) to the edge of Point England Reserve returning through a character-filled Glen Innes residential street.
Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.75 kms)

Maungarei Springs Wetlands Stonefields Loop
This walk winds through Stonefields to Maungarei Springs Wetlands.
Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.6 kms)

 

Apirana Reserve and view of Mount WellingtonApirana Reserve Loop
This walk takes you off the suburban streets into the countryside and horse paddocks, with views from the top of the hill of Eastern Beach and the Coromandel on a clear day, and Mount Wellington close by.
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 4.2 kms)

 

Eastview Reserve, Glen innes Eastview Reserve Loop
Refresh and revive amongst the trees in Taniwha and Eastview (mature oak trees) Reserves.
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 4.0 kms)

 

Stonefields, St JohnsThe Goldsbury Track Loops
Take in a Reserve before winding through Stonefields to the Gollan Road Pedestrian Trail. Snatch views of Mt Wellington, Mt Eden, Mt St John, Mt Hobson, One Tree Hill and the top of the Sky Tower.
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 4.19 kms)

Walks in Auckland City

While most of our walks are within urban Auckland, we would like to encourage you to explore Auckland city’s Central Business District (CBD). For visitors on short stays, walking around Auckland city is the best way to explore and discover the backstreets and character.

Many of these walks in Auckland City start from Britomart at the Auckland Harbour end of Queen Street.

The Auckland City CBD discovery walk – starts from Britomart. This walk brochure is free for people who download our FREE report ‘What to do and see in Auckland’. This walk takes you past historical buildings and through parks and reserves. We also take in lanes, arcades and courtyards.

Victoria Park and Markets – begins at Victoria Park Markets and takes you through the suburban streets of Freemans Bay up to Ponsonby Road via the well-hidden gem of Western Park.

Auckland Coast to Coast Walk – starts from Britomart and takes about 4 hours non-stop.  It is split into 4 stages, with directions on where to catch a bus to return to Britomart at the end of each stage. This walk is full of variety from kauri trees, to the Parnell shops and cafes, churches and cathedrals, views of the harbours, volcanoes and Waitekere Ranges and an art collection.

Karangahape Road and Parks – starts from BritomartWalk the back streets and parks of Auckland City.  This walk provides fine views of Mt Eden (down the side roads off Karangahape Road), the Harbour Bridge and the Sky Tower, and introduces you to the eclectic shopping strip of Ponsonby and Karangahape Road.

Auckland Harbour and Point Erin – starts from Victoria Park Market which is within an easy walk from Britomart. This Auckland walk not only has fabulous views, it is mostly flat (apart from the steep steps at Jacob’s Ladder ), Victoria Park has a great children’s playground and skate park, and there are beautiful old homes and moored yachts to enjoy. View the Auckland Harbour Bridge up close.

Wynyard Quarter Waterfront – starts from Britomart.  Explore the Viaduct Basin and Wynyard Quarter boating scene and cafes.  See where the America’s Cup yachts were based.  There is always something to see along the way…

Auckland Museum – starts from Britomart. This mini-tour walk takes in the Auckland Domain,Albert Park, Queen Street, Chancery Lane, Vulcan Lane, High Street, and old Government House.

Auckland Art Gallery – starts from Britomart. The route winds through parks, arcades and past historic buildings.

We have also put together 5 walks for the University of Auckland from their city-side Symonds Street campus.

If you have the time and wish to have a break from the City head to Devonport: Mount Victoria and North Head – start from Britomart and walk to the Ferry Building to catch the ferry to Devonport.  Explore the historic houses and buildings beneath Mount Victoria and/or walk up to North Head.  Stop in Devonport Village to browse the shops and refresh at cafes. Or catch a train or bus to Newmarket and spend the day walking and exploring.

University Of Auckland Walks – Symonds Street

We have just begun a new mini-project – creating shorter walks for the University of Auckland Sport and Recreation, to enable staff and students to enjoy a walk in their day.

The first of the mini series starts with five walks from the Recreation Centre in Symonds Street.  We will be adding these walks to the list of free guides currently available.

You can download  a free copy of the PDF brochure for each walk below.

Centennial Walkway, Auckland Domain

Auckland Domain Loop.
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: Auckland Domain, Kauri Trees, Historical Buildings, Auckland High Court
Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.94 kms)

Download brochure UA-S001 Auckland Domain

Greer Twiss Sculpture,
“Karangahape Rocks”

Karangahape Road Loop.
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: Symonds Street Cemetery, Historical Buildings, Albert Park, Auckland Art gallery, Khartoum Place, Myers Park
Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.67 kms)                                                        Download brochure UA-S002 Karangahape

Scarborough Terrace, Parnell, Auckland

Parnell Loop
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: Auckland Domain, Kauri Trees, Historical Buildings, Auckland High Court, Parnell Cottages
Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.65 kms)
Download brochure UA-S003 Parnell Loop

View of Auckland’s Sky Tower

Britomart Loop
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: Historical Buildings, Auckland High Court, Albert Park, Auckland Art Gallery, Britomart Time: approx. 40 minutes. (about 3.72 kms)
Download brochure UA-S004 Britomart

The Ferry Building, Quay Street Auckland

Quay Street Loop
Description: A mix of level paths, steps and slightly inclined paths. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility.
To see: Historical Buildings, Ferry Building, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Old NZ parliament building site
Time: approx. 45 minutes. (about 4.19 kms)

Download brochure UA-S005 Quay Street

 

Stay on track…get other detailed guides with maps from our Walks Store

Video: History of The University of Auckland Clock Tower

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”).

Karangahape Road and Parks

walks in Auckland

The weather did not look too promising this morning (it did improve), so we set out to walk the back streets and parks of Auckland City.  This walk provides fine views of Mt Eden (down the side roads off Karangahape Road), the Harbour Bridge and the Sky Tower.

walks in Auckland

We got our ‘out in nature’ hit in Myers and Western Parks (with children’s playgrounds and a dog friendly off-leash exercise area). The Children’s playground in Western Park has seven slides and a Flying Fox, making this a short family friendly walk.

Auckland doesn’t seem so big when we walk it – it seemed to take no time at all to walk from Aotea Square to Ponsonby!

This is a great walk for visitors to Auckland and for families.  Catch the train to Britomart to begin the mini adventure!

We walked up to the Art Gallery in Kitchener Street to try the Mojo Cafe on Level One of the Art Gallery for the first time.

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:  Views of Mount Eden, Auckland City, Auckland Harbour bridge, parks, K’Rd shops
Time: Loop approx. 60 minutes. (about 4 kms)
Parking: 1 hour meter parking off Queen Street (2 hours on Sundays)

Dog friendly walks in Auckland - part two


Stay on track…get your detailed guide and map over at our Walks Store (AC-036 Karangahape Road and Parks) and our Book Store (one of 12 walks featured in our book “Dog Friendly Walks part 2”).

Te Atatu Peninsula Walk

short walks in auckland

The Te Atatu Peninsula Walk provides wonderful views of Auckland harbour – the Chelsea sugar factory, the Sky Tower, Rangitoto Island and the Harbour Bridge. You could almost be on an island! And the water looks beautiful at both high and low tides, dotted with mangroves.

On the eastern side of the Peninsula, specially created salt marsh wetlands on the lower terrace at Harbourview – Orangihina provide natural habitat to an abundant wildlife (fern birds, New Zealand Dotterel, oystercatchers, herons, Caspina terns, godwit and varous gulls).

There are boardwalks and a picnic platform out over the water at Harbourview Beach Reserve.

The walking route is suitable for cyclists, prams/buggies and dog walkers (on leash only to help protect the bird life that lives around the foreshore).

Fans of the New Zealand TV series Nothing Trivial Season One may recognize Michelle’s house and her exercise path.

Description: 6.25km loop walk. Mainly level paths – a mixture of paved, loose metal and boardwalks . Caution: Puddles after rain. Suitable for most ages and levels of fitness and mobility, designed with flat shoes or running shoes in mind. Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Children’s Playground=Yes
To see : Waitemata Harbour views, natural habitat, shore birds MAP

Suggested Cafés: Luscious Food Store and Servo

Stay on track…find this walk’s map and directions guide (AW-019 Te Atatu Peninsula) and other walk self-guides at our Walks Store and our Book Store (“Coastal Part One” and “Best of the West“).