Us Aucklanders love a good walk. Whether it’s beach walks or flower walks, we can’t resist the pull of the fresh air, stellar scenery and buttocks burn (a solid combo, right?!). Walking is one of our favourite ways to clear the head and keep fighting fit but we can’t always squeeze in the time to drive to our fave waterfall or coastal walking spots.
Luckily, Auckland city provides the goods. There are some great urban walks in and around Auckland’s CBD waiting for you to tackle. From waterfront walkways to lush parks, here are six of the best urban walks in Auckland.
Westhaven Promenade
Aucklanders partial to walking in the city rejoiced when Westhaven Promenade popped up on our waterfront—and for good reason, too. This flat walkway and cycle path lets you weave along the water’s edge, taking in the gorgeous harbour and bopping yachts as you go. If you’re in the city you can start from Wynyard Quarter (post-dinner walkies, anyone?) or make use of the Jacobs Ladder pedestrian bridge which provides access to the promenade from Ponsonby.
Auckland Domain
Auckland Domain is the kinda place that will make you forget that you live in a city. Breathe in the fresh air as you walk through native bush, passing the Auckland War Memorial Museum and beautiful Winter Gardens along the way. It’s the city’s oldest park and Auckland wouldn’t be Auckland without it.
Nelson Street Cycleway
Urban walks don’t get more urban than the Nelson Street Cycleway. The old Nelson Street off-ramp is now a hot pink cycleway (and walkway) starting at Upper Queen Street and snaking along to Victoria Street West. This pretty spot is perfect for peeps wanting to get their walking fix without hopping in the car and hitting up the nature walks outside of the city. Plus, a snap of you strutting your stuff on it will look great on your Insta feed.
Auckland Town Loop
We’re oh-so lucky to have a parks in the CBD, especially when it comes to lunch breaks or uni procrastination sessions in the sunshine. Start from the top of Karangahape Road and weave your way through Myers Park and down Queen Street (or vice versa), stopping at Albert Park along the way. If you’re starting from Queen Street, make sure you’re ready to feel the burn—that incline can be killer.
Tamaki Drive
Walking from the bustling city to the beach can be all sorts of scenic thanks to Tamaki Drive. Curving 10km along the water from downtown A-town to St Heliers, Tamaki Drive remains one of the best urban walks to do in Auckland. Not only does is offer epic views of the city, Rangitoto Island and the beaut Waitemata Harbour, there’s plenty of eateries and fish ’n’ chip shops to treat yourself to once you hit Mission Bay.
Auckland’s Original Shoreline Walk
Our fine city is rich in history and there’s no better way to soak it all up than with a heritage walk. Put together by Auckland City, the Auckland’s Original Shoreline walk takes approximately three hours depending on your fitness level and how many coffees and doughnuts you stop for along the way. You’ll get to see where the shoreline used to sit and a solid workout while you’re at it. All the deets are here.
Want to hike further afield? Check out Auckland’s best walks