Explore and play in central Auckland
Finding things to do with kids over the summer can be a challenge. Exploring Auckland’s paths is a great opportunity to combine exercise with helping the kids burn off some energy and having some fun.
Here are five paths to check out in your part of Tāmaki Makaurau.
For more information or other paths to explore, head to aklpaths.co.nz
Albert to Myers Urban Ngahere Path
Starting at Alten Reserve across the road from the High Court, this path showcases Tāmaki Makaurau’s inner-city green spaces as you meander through the University of Auckland campus, Albert Park and finish off at Myers Park.
Along the route are fantastic examples of mature exotic trees. Myers Park has a great playground for the kids to enjoy and a splash pad open over summer.
Waterview Heritage Path
This path is a great way to explore Waterview, as you enjoy coastal views, playgrounds and unique close up views of motorway infrastructure. The path is a combination of concrete and gravel with some steps to negotiate.
Start and finish at the Waterview Reserve where there is plenty for the kids to enjoy, including the playground, water play area, a BMX track, skate park and basketball court.
Glendowie Park to Tahuna Torea Path
Enjoy meandering along this path as it weaves its way along the northern banks of the Tāmaki River to the Tahuna Torea nature park. Glendowie Park has great open spaces for kite flying and a fun playground.
The path is sealed until the start of Tahuna Torea where you’ll find plenty of birdlife. As you walk along, try and find the taniwha teeth in the path.
Grey Lynn Greenway Path
A new path from Grey Lynn Park to Cox’s Bay Reserve. For the toddlers there is a free outdoor paddling pool in Grey Lynn Park, while the older kids can enjoy the playground, flying fox and for the more adventurous, a half-pipe and an asphalt pump track.
Mostly flat, this path is a great way to explore one of Auckland’s inner suburbs.
Stonefields Path
This circuit around the Stonefields Heritage Trail takes in old quarry walls, wetlands and residential streets. Pou (landmarks) gifted by Ngāti Paoa, Ngā Tai Ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Te Ata are along the path to check out while the Mangarei wetlands are home to the Papango (Scaup), New Zealand’s only diving duck.
Finish the walk with a visit to the playground and sandpit just 50m from the path for the kids before heading to the Stonefields Market for a coffee and snack.
Keep our kauri standing
Kauri dieback in Auckland is a serious problem and it’s important we all play our part to prevent the spread of the disease.
To help keep our kauri standing for future generations, the forested areas of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park have been closed until further notice. Some higher-risk tracks in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park have also been closed as a proactive measure to prevent the introduction of kauri dieback disease into the park, where it has not yet been detected.
Controlled Area Notices (CANs) are in place across the currently open tracks within the forested area of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park and the whole of the native forested area of the Hunua Ranges regional parkland.
Aucklanders and visitors to the region are advised to find alternatives to get out and enjoy what our beautiful backyard has to offer.
If you enter or leave a forest/area with native trees anywhere across the region, here are three easy steps you need to remember:
- Scrub– clean all soil off your footwear and other gear.
- Spray– your footwear and gear at every cleaning station you encounter. Kauri dieback can be spread by just a pinhead of soil.
- Stay– on the designated open tracks.
Find out more about protecting our kauri trees.
