In hindsight, I should have planned this walk a bit better and checked the tides first. Looking at mud flats isn’t the greatest sight along this scenic path, although the many mangroves looked very healthy. It’s an excellent easy walk along The Coastal Walkway, with lovely sea views everywhere. On the same day, I also went to Herald Island and did the loop track there too. It was a short 10 minute drive away.
I decided to drive out to Hobsonville Point and found a park right outside the Information Centre on Hasting St. There was plenty of parking at the back. Attached to the visitors centre was Catalina Cafe, which of course I stopped in for a great coffee before I started my walk straight out the front door.
This walk has something for everybody, whether that’s the coastal views, bush, art, architecture, history, parks for kids and families or interesting food.
Hobsonville Point is an old Air Force community that is now an urban environment that’s worth the drive or the ferry ride! The place is full of new buildings and plenty more are being built. It’s a busy place.
You can just as easily start this walk straight off the ferry. It also doesn’t matter which way round you choose to walk. The ferry from Auckland CBD disembarks at ‘The Landing’, named as such because it was the launching and landing place for flying boats, including Catalina planes for which Catalina Bay was named. You’ll need to check the ferry timetable from Auckland to Hobsonville Point, especially at the weekends and public holidays as ferries can be limited.
You’ll also find the farmer’s market at Catalina Bay on the weekends. A mixture of artisan foods and live music, it is a perfect place to spend time before or after your walk.
Making your way along the circuit (anti-clockwise), you will walk through native bush and see the skeleton of the old Sunderland hangar. Further on, you will come across Hobsonville Point Park, which is a unique children’s playground: it is made from sustainable sourced materials.
Artists have been commissioned for all sorts of work along the walk, including sculpture inspired by traditional Māori hīnaki (eel traps).
Hobsonville Point is a decommissioned military base which has become a thriving community of more than 6,500 people since 2010. Development is still very much ongoing with housing transforming Catalina Bay into a vibrant, world-class waterfront precinct and wonderful place to visit.
The Hobsonville Point Walk is just over 5 kilometres long and takes around an hour and a half to complete. Along the way, you'll learn about the rich history of this once-busy farming area, as well as enjoy stunning views of Auckland Harbour, Greenhithe Bridge and the North Shore.
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One Response
The photo doesn’t match the walk. Nice and majority is flat or moderate incline.