Lovely beaches including Mission Bay, Okahu Bay and Kohimarama beaches are the best

Plan your trip, so you reach Mission Bay at lunchtime, there is a fantastic selection of cafes and restaurants there. Walk on further to St Heliers to the cute little shopping centre. The Hospice shop here is one of the best in Auckland with lots of cheap designer clothes!

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: Mission Bay, St Heliers Bay, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
  • Distance: 9.70 km
  • Time needed: 2 hours one way
  • Difficulty: Very Easy
  • Wheelchair Access: No
  • Elevation: Flat as a pancake!
  • Wet Feet: No, unless you plan on a swim along the way
  • Toilets: Yes
  • Dogs: Leash only
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes

How To Bike To Mission Bay

Even though this walk is straightforward, you might prefer to ride a bike instead of walking.  Imagine sitting on a blanket in Mission Bay while you enjoy your picnic lunch while taking in the scenic views.  

After you pass the container wharf there has been a great upgrade with a new two-way bike lane.

Here is the latest photo I took just a couple of days ago

New two way bike lane on the Auckland waterfront in 2021 (1)

Here is the new extension to the bridge with the 2 way bike lane along the Auckland waterfront.

New extension to the bridge for the two way bike lane on the Auckland waterfront in 2021 (1)

Summary points about this walk

Points of interest along the walk​ and my detailed description

Start of the walk from the ferry building

On one of Auckland’s sunny days, we decided to walk from downtown Auckland ferry wharf to St Heliers Bay via Mission Bay for a light lunch then catch the bus back into town.

Our little walk took us half a day, we stopped to look at things of interest along the way, and we sat down on every beach we came to. 

From the bottom of Queen Street in downtown Auckland, walk along Quay Street with the harbour on your left shoulder, there is not a lot to see till you walk past the main container shipping wharf which will take you 15 minutes. Keep to the left-hand side of the road. 

The walkway has a new two-way cycle lane and a walking path.  So plenty of room for you and the bikes.

Hobson Point

Halfway across the first bridge at Hobson Bay, I looked over the side expecting to see fish swimming by, but all I saw was a small penguin also looking for fish.  And at the end of the bridge, there was a shag drying out his wings after a quick dive into the water; he also was looking for fish, but alas we all missed out.

Okahu Bay – time for a pit stop.

The toilets are in the middle of the bay, right next to the footpath, quite old and a bit shabby now. The tide goes out at least 100 metres in this bay, so it doesn’t look so pretty when it’s all the way out.

To walk out, so the water is up to your waist you will need to walk another 100 metres further. The bay is made up of sand with a little mud and shells for good measure.  

You’ll get a great view looking back to Auckland city from Okahu Bay; you can even see the Sky Tower. A good spot for that night photo.

A little further along the walk and you’ll pass Kelly Tarlton’s underwater Aquarium, if you haven’t been in for a look, this is a great opportunity to do so. Skip the queue and book your ticket for  Kelly Tarlton’s here.

From the Orakei wharf, you walk past Briddicks Bay then around Bastion Point and along to Mission Bay

About 1.3 km.  In Mission Bay, there are several restaurants for your dining pleasure. They range from fine sliver service to fish and chips wrapped up in white paper.

There is a wonderful big fountain in Selwyn Domain in the middle of Mission Bay, simply fantastic on a hot summer day. 

St Heliers Bay and beach at the end of this walk

Only another 2.4 km from Mission Bay to St Heliers Bay; follow the walkway along the bays to Kohimarama Beach, around Gower Point and into St Heliers Bay. 

There is a small but unique shopping centre here – worth the walk around.  The bus leaves from across St Heliers Bay Beach to take you back into town regularly. Or take a city sightseeing bus tour, which goes all the way along the waterfront too, with a guide to explain the history and points of interest.

See more of my walks in central Auckland

Orakei Basin Walk & Loop Path

3 km • 45 mins • Easy • Start at Meadowbank Rd/Train station and walk in either direction around Orakei Basin. Lovely wide track with ...
Walk details →
Westhaven path walk in Auckland

Westhaven Path Loop Walk

7.8 km • 1 hour 45 minutes • Very Easy • Walk past luxury boats, then under the Auckland harbour bridge
Walk details →
Families walking in Western Springs and Meola Reef

Western Springs and Meola Reef

7 km • 1 hour 30 mins • Easy • It was great to see so many people, with their children and their dogs, out ...
Walk details →
Walking through the CBD of Auckland

Auckland CBD Discovery Walk

The Auckland CBD discovery walk is free for people who download my FREE report ‘What to do and see in Auckland’.
Walk details →
Cornwall Park One Tree Hill with daffodils

University of Auckland Walks – Epsom Campus

Stage Three of the University of Auckland short walks project, with five walking circuits starting and ending from the Epsom campus in Epsom Avenue.
Walk details →
Meyer Park Path near the University of Auckland Grafton Campus

University of Auckland Walks – Grafton Campus

Stage Two of the University of Auckland short walks project, with five walking circuits starting and ending from the Grafton campus in Park Road.
Walk details →
Pond at Point England near Auckland University Tamaki Campus

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.
Walk details →
Big Kauri Tree in St Johns Bush in Auckland

St Johns Bush

Today was my first visit to St Johns Bush. This little gem of a nature walk is in a reserve of beautiful native trees and ...
Walk details →
View from Kepa Bush Reserve looking at the 2 Auckland Volcanos

Kepa Bush

30 Minutes • Very Easy • Kepa Bush is another short walk in Auckland treasure that contains bush trails and native trees, flora and fauna ...
Walk details →
View of Pah Homestead near Greenwoods Corner

Greenwoods Corner Walks

5 km • 1 hours • Easy • These short Auckland walks start from Greenwoods Corner and include One tree hill and Pah Homestead.
Walk details →
Seat overlooking the pond at Auckland Domain

5 University of Auckland Walks – Symonds Street

5 shorter walks for the University of Auckland Sport and Recreation staff and students, to enable them to enjoy a walk in their day.
Walk details →
mission Bay fountain

Mission Bay – Walking in the rain

It was a big decision today, do we do the Mission Bay walk this morning, this afternoon or tomorrow due to possible rain?
Walk details →
Cruise ship leaving Auckland Harbour

Walks in Auckland from your Cruise Ship Dock

14 short walks you can do right from the cruise ship dock in downtown Auckland right next to Britomart Transport hub.
Walk details →
Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz||||||||Main Gate|Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz|Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz|Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz|Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz|Auckland City Domain walk - Copyright Freewalks.nz

Auckland Domain Heritage Walk

4 km • 2 Hours • Very Easy • It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day in Auckland, time for a relaxing heritage ...
Walk details →
Native tree along westmere Loop walk

Westmere Loop Walk

5.5 km • 75 Minutes • Easy with steps • This Westmere Loop walk explores the gems of Wellpark Reserve and Jaggers Bush Reserve beside ...
Walk details →
Walkers on the track to One Tree Hill in Auckland

Walks in Auckland – One Tree Hill

5.14 km • 60 Minutes • Easy with a few steps • One of my “most-walked” walks in Auckland is the loop of Cornwall Park ...
Walk details →
bench under the tree with great city view

Three Kings – Walks in Auckland

3.45 km • 45 Minutes • Easy with steps • Big King is all that remains of the Three Kings volcano cones after the others ...
Walk details →
Parnell Rose Gardens

Parnell Roses, Trains and Cranes

5 km • 60 Minutes • Easy with steps • There is so much to discover when you take a walk in Parnell!
Walk details →
Walking track through urgan bush in Auckland near Parnell Markets (1)

Parnell Markets and Urban Bush Walk in Auckland

3.92 km • 60 Minutes • Easy with steps • Another beautiful day and todays walk in Auckland Central is one of contrasts – from ...
Walk details →
Sculptures in Western Park, Auckland

Walks in Auckland – Victoria Park and Western Park

60 Minutes • Easy with steps • Today’s walk begins at Victoria Park Markets in downtown Auckland
Walk details →
Beach and wharf at Judges Bay in Auckland - Walk by Freewalks.nz

Judges Bay Path Walk in Auckland

1.7 km • 30 minutes • Easy loop walk around Dove Meyer Robinson Park down to Judges Bay beach then through the cemetery, onto a ...
Walk details →
Remuera to Hobson Bay walk in Auckland

Remuera and Hobson Bay Walkway Circuit

60-90 Minutes • Easy with steep paths • I really enjoy the diversity of Auckland at large and it is also a pleasure to find ...
Walk details →
The fountain at Mission Bay in Auckland

Mission Bay to Okahu Bay Loop

4.55 km • 50 Minutes • Easy with steps • The loop walk in Auckland from Mission Bay to Okahu Bay takes in the views ...
Walk details →
Views across to Auckland city from MJ Savage Park

MJ Savage Memorial Park

60 Minutes • Medium with stairs • Despite the low grey clouds we set off on a new walk above Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay around ...
Walk details →
Mt Albert looking out to Auckland city with the Sky Tower

Mt Albert and Meola Creek Circuit

5.4 km • 1 hour 15 mins • Easy with some steps • Today I was shown an interesting waterway – Meola Creek in Mt ...
Walk details →
Looking out over Hobson Bay near Parnell

Hobson Bay Walkway and Parnell

1 hour • Easy • This walk in Auckland is a low tide walk around Hobson Bay and Parnell
Walk details →
Statue in Myer Park off Karangahape Road in Auckland CBD

Karangahape Road and Parks

4 km • 1 hour • Easy • The weather did not look too promising this morning (it did improve), so we set out to ...
Walk details →
Small beach on the Point Erin Walk in Auckland

Point Erin and Auckland Harbour Walk

5.4 km • 1 hour • Easy • Enjoy awesome views along the Point Erin and Auckland Harbour walk
Walk details →
View of the Auckland Harbour bridge from the Wynyard Quarter

Wynyard Quarter Waterfront Loop

3.89 km • 45 minutes • Mainly level path • The harbour water was dazzling as we walked along the Wynyard Quarter waterfront and the ...
Walk details →
Family Walk around Panmure Basin

Family Walk around Panmure Basin

4 km • 45 minutes • Easy • It takes only 30 minutes to walk around the Panmure Basin – another Auckland volcanic crater walk.
Walk details →
Walking up Fort St in Auckland central

Auckland Art Gallery Loop Walk

4 km • 1 hour • Easy • If you are a visitor to Auckland you will find this art gallery walk will help you ...
Walk details →
Auckland Museum in the Auckland Domain

Britomart to Auckland Museum Loop

5.6 km • 1 hour • Easy • The mini-tour museum walk takes in the Auckland Domain, Albert Park, Queen Street, Chancery Lane, Vulcan Lane, High ...
Walk details →
Views out to Mt St John walking from Newmarket

5 Short Walks from Newmarket

The 5 walks from Newmarket include Mt Eden Loop, Hobson Bay Walkway, Mt St John, Auckland Museum & the Parnell Loop
Walk details →
Looking at the creek at Hobson Bay

Hobson Bay Walkway Loop

4.7 km • 1 hour • Easy • Catch a train from Britomart to Orakei, and enjoy a walk along the Hobson Bay Walkway with ...
Walk details →
View of the stadium on the Kingsland Mt Eden Loop walk

Kingsland Mt Eden Loop

7 km • 1.5 hours • Easy • This Auckland walk takes you from Kingsland Train Station (with views of Mt Albert), touches the city ...
Walk details →
residential along the way Kingsland Explorer

Kingsland Explorer

5 km • 1 hour • Easy • Today we explored Kinglsland, an Auckland walk that we have driven past many times on the North ...
Walk details →
Walking track throug Grey Lynn Park

Grey Lynn Explorer

5.58 km • 1 hour 10 mins • Easy • This walk explores both Cox’s Bay Reserve and Grey Lynn Park.
Walk details →
Views while walking up Mount Roskill in Auckland

Mt Roskill Explorer

7.5 km • 1.5 hours • Easy • We had overlooked Mt Roskill as a place to walk and explore… until today.
Walk details →
Lovely view of the Sky Tower from Ponsonby

Sunday walk in Ponsonby

4.5 km • 40 minutes • Easy walk • Ponsonby and Freemans Bay are great places for a Sunday walk in Auckland. Take the whole ...
Walk details →
Hobson Bay Circuit

Hobson Bay Circuit

9 km • 1 hour 45 minutes • Easy • We made the most of today’s fine weather and walked the circumference of Hobson Bay.
Walk details →
Walking through the bush in Dingle Dell

Dingle Dell and St Heliers Circuit

One of my favourite short bush walks in Auckland is the Dingle Dell Reserve and St Heliers circuit.
Walk details →
Seats looking out over St Heliers beach on a lovely sunny day

St Heliers and Glover Park

4.5 kms • 1 hour • Easy • What a fabulous day for a walk in St Heliers & Glover Park – warm, sunny, no ...
Walk details →
Bush track with tree sign through St Johns in Auckland Central

Saint Johns Explorer

We have previously explored St Johns Bush and wanted to incorporate the beautiful nature reserve into one of our longer circular walks.
Walk details →

Apirana St Johns Loop

The Apirana St Johns walk makes use of the reserves within walking distance of Glen Innes Train Station.
Walk details →

Coast to Coast Walk

This weekend we embarked on an alternative Auckland coast to coast walk – from Waitemata Harbour to Manukau Harbour with less road and more parks
Walk details →
Free Mt Eden Volcano Walk - Auckland - New Zealand - Arial view from the crater of Mt Eden

Mt Eden Volcano Walk

Mt Eden is one of the most popular places to visit in Auckland. Today’s walk around Mt Eden in the autumn sunshine and clear skies ...
Walk details →
Stunning Roses

Parnell Rose Gardens Loop with Views and Beautiful Scents

Beautiful gardens, huge Pohutukawa trees, history, sculptures, monuments, swimming and wonderful harbour views ensure the Parnell Rose Gardens Loop is a walk for all to ...
Walk details →
Watching the lifting bridge in the Auckland Viaduct waiting to cross while a boat passes under

Downtown and Pink Pathway Loop

Discover why I enjoyed the Downtown and Pink Pathway Loop in Auckland CBD so much.
Walk details →

Karangahape Road to Queens Wharf Art Path

5 km • 1.25 hours • Very easy
Walk details →
One Tree Hill Walk - Auckland - Copyright Freewalks.nz

One Tree Hill Walk

3.50 kms • 2 Hours • Easy
Walk details →