The walk took us up and over the Park and down to the waterfront.  We were rewarded with wonderful views over the Hauraki Gulf/Tamaki Strait and were able to cool off in the snippets of native bush. 

Man taking his dog for a walk in Macleans Park

This is a dog owners paradise -a very dog friendly walk with an off-leash area throughout the park. Dogs are allowed on the beach area from 7 pm to 9 am. The Auckland Council dog laws are:

Dogs are permitted off leash in ALL parks and reserves except those adjoining beaches with the above mentioned restrictions on times dogs are allowed on the beach. (See other Dog Friendly Walks)

Quick facts about this walk

Walk time: approx. 60 minutes
Distance: about 4 kms
Elevation: Max 58m
Track: A mix of level paths, steps and steep paths. Dirt/Gravel, Grass, Paved Surface
Difficulty: Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility. May require boots in wet weather, running shoes suitable in dry weather. 2 – some hills but excellent track
Buggies/Wheelchairs: Some hills are steep and there are some stairs
Dog Friendly: Yes – Off leash Area
Facilities: Toilets, Playground, Flying Fox
Highlights: Beautiful native bush & birds, Flying Fox, Spectacular sea views, variety
FREE Map: Download your FREE map of this walk
The Hobbiton Movie Set Day Tour - Ex Auckland

The Hobbiton Movie Set Day Tour - From Auckland

The beach area is set up for picnics and there are children’s playgrounds.

Macleans Park is 36 ha in size. The gully areas and stream restoration plantings have helped to provide roosting and foraging habitat for kingfisher, fantail, pigeon, silver eye, tui and grey warbler native birds.

Photos from my walk along Macleans Park and Eastern Beach Walk

Comments on Macleans Park and Eastern Beach Walk

Sam

Dogs are allowed on the beach area from 7 pm to 9 am.
Many people including dog owners are not aware that the council dog laws are:
Dogs are permitted off leash in ALL parks and reserves except those adjoining beaches with the above mentioned restrictions on times dogs are allowed on the beach.
Please people be aware of this. I’d like more people to be aware that also dogs are permitted on the pakuranga rotary walkway demo the Panmure bridge end at Kerswill Place all the way to the Wakaaranga reserve OFF leash. Council do not wish to make the signs more clear but I have been in contact with them about this. If anyone is not sure see the sign at Kerswill Place. This is a huge off leash walk but most people do not know about it.

Raewyn

Thank you Sam, that’s great to know.
I’ve just moved here and couldn’t find a sign on the beach yet noticed leashed dogs on the beach. Then was told by a few people i approached when/where the dogs can go unleashed 🙂

Marnie Devereux

Hi there. Have recently been hearing that East Auckland beaches are changing their dog walking restrictions and that dogs must be ‘on leash’ during the day in winter months and we’ll be given an extra hour during the summer months. My understanding is that this translates to SUMMER – ‘off leash’ 7pm-10am and prohibited the rest of the day, WINTER ‘off leash’ 7pm-10am and ‘on leash’ the rest of the day. I don’t believe that the rules for walking in Macleans reserve are changing at all. Does anyone know when this bylaw will come into effect and if these rules are correct? I can’t find any changes on the council website and the signage on Eastern Beach has always been practically non-existent, but as I do this walk most days and know the dog control people are passionate in their duty, I’d really like to make sure I’m up to date.

Heather

Hi Marnie. I no longer reside in Auckland.
I think the best thing to do would be to contact the Council directly so that you can obtain up-to-date information.
You can fill in an online form here: http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/Forms/Pages/contactusonline.aspx
Helen

Heather

A wonderful park for dogs and their owners! Dogs of all ages and sizes having fun.

brian curtis

Whilst Macleans Park is a wonderful place for walking, the tracks have deteriorated due to lack of maintenance. Be prepared for mud, puddles and uneven tracks in places.

Helen

Thanks for the update Brian. May I suggest that you contact Auckland Council – in most cases they will send in a maintenance team. Here is the link https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/report-problem/Pages/default.aspx

Brian Curtis

Thanks for the advice Helen but I’ve been contacting the Council for years and the have ignored me. However, The Council has recently made some (in the long term, inadequate) repairs to the tracks, so I wish to retract my comments of July 18, 2018.

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