Leigh Harbour

Fishing Boats at Leigh Harbour

Start at the Leigh boat ramp and follow the track around the harbour. At high tide the start of the track may be wet and an alternative access is from Ferndale Avenue. The track passes the Jolly Fisherman’s Lodge, passes over a small bridge and through native bush. Good views over the harbour and wharf. Marked side tracks lead up through the bush. It finishes at a sandy beach which is good for swimming at high tide. Allow one hour return.

Goat Island Coastal Walk

Goat Island Walkway

This walkway begins just inside the Leigh Marine Laboratory gate, crosses farmland to the cliff edge and follows the fence line. There are spectacular views to Goat Island. The track descends into a valley of native bush and emerges at Tabletop Reef. Sit and enjoy views to Little Barrier Island. Allow two hours return.
The track is currently being upgraded and will eventually be a loop walk with various starting points.

Atiu Creek

View over the Kaipara Harbour

Another of Auckland's regional parks. This one is in the northern area out from Wellsford and past Port Albert. It's well signposted till you get to the gate. Chooks are quick to greet visitors. We started to the left walking past the first pou and around the perimeter of the park. Very up and down, gravelly road with views over the Kaipara Harbour. Another larger pou about half way and some friendly sheep to pass through, before returning to the start.

Kai Iwi Lakes

The beautiful Kai iwi Lakes are an easy walk that includes three freshwater lakes. There are some wetland areas with fernbirds, banded rail and shags roosting. The lakes are also good places to swim if you get too hot on your journey. It's around 10km total. To get there take the road through Dargaville and keep a look out for the signs as you travel north.

Reservoir Walk

Visited the Atiu Creek Regional Park out from Wellsford and on the way to Tapora. We parked and walked down the gravel road, past a few pou, through pine trees, across farmland and to the pretty little reservoir. Not suitable for swimming though as there are quite a few birds around. A little wharf with a few water lillies. Continue to do the loop walk. We will be visiting the park again as soon as we can and will be taking our mountain bikes next time. Plenty of tracks and roads to explore. Much of the area is quite open farm land with not so much shade. Check out the Auckland Council's Regional Parks for more information. http://www.arc.govt.nz/parks/our-parks/parks-in-the-region/atiu-creek//tracks.cfm?TrackID=218

Mangawhai

Walk along this beautiful beach at low tide and you'll reach the coast walk at the other end with a track that climbs up steeply. Worth the walk for the wonderful views.

Nelson Lakes

Nice easy walks near the Nelson Lakes. Listen for bellbirds as they sing above you.

Auckland Museum

You can spend hours browsing around the Auckland Museum. Plenty to keep you occupied and especially good for a wet day.

Cornwall Park

Plenty of places to walk and paths to take through Cornwall Park. Nice big trees and plants and open grass areas. Take a picnic, climb up one tree hill or meander under the trees.

One Tree Hill

Walk up One Tree Hill and admire the spectacular views over Auckland. Below see the grafitti made by rocks.

Ti Point

Park near the wharf and colourful dinghies then follow the track around the coast. Beautiful big pohutukawas and views of Omaha Beach, Tawharanui and Omaha Bay. Very easy walk and return by same track. Allow 2 hours.
At the end follow the hill to the fenceline for great views across to Leigh Harbour. Descend the other side of hill to a stile and take the track through the flax to the boulder beach. Good views of the rocky headland.

Auckland wintergardens

Walking into the glass houses of Auckland's wintergarden is like getting off a plane in Fiji and being hit by the heat and humidity. Inside there is a spectacular show of plants and flowers, depending on the season. A good place to visit when it's raining outside.