About Helen
This project began in 2011. My friend Grace was the walk creator – with her knowledge of Auckland, she could “see” circular routes, and then it was up to me to map out, photograph, research and document the routes.
At first, I relied upon my voice recorder and Google maps but then with the advancement of technology, the smart phone became a best friend and I was able to track our route. The best fun was when we were both pleasantly surprised by what there was to see. Beautiful wetlands, views and bush kept us inspired to explore more.
With over 100 walking routes, it is too difficult to say what our favourite walks are because of the diversity and uniqueness of each locality. I will leave it you to decide what your favourites are.
My two children were at high school age in 2011 when this project started, and unfortunately missed out on the discoveries. A highlight for me was when our daughter was studying Occupational Therapy at AUT, as she had a project that required two walks to be mapped out locally. I was very happy to help.
The last seven years of Short Walks in Auckland have been very rewarding. It was encouraging to get an email from The Women’s Bookshop in Ponsonby asking to meet me and then supplying them with our books. It was exciting to put together a bunch of walks for the University of Auckland Recreation Manager as well as having a common goal with Sports Waitakere.
I was contacted by Frank Goldingham who gave me the opportunity to make regular contributions to the Walking NZ magazine. Every two months one of our walks was printed in the beautifully presented, richly coloured monthly magazine, with walks from not only New Zealand, but all around the world. Our walks reached even more people over the years. (See the January 2019 issue for another of our short walks in Auckland.)
Thank you to everyone who has done a Short Walk in Auckland. Your support has been very much appreciated. Now it’s time for fresh eyes and renewed energy.
Wishing you all lots more walking and exploring.
Helen Wenley (last seen ebiking around Hawkes Bay)
Helen's walks in New Zealand
Martha Goldmine Pit Rim Walkway
3.9 km • 1 Hour • Easy Loop Walk • Time for an out-of-Auckland walk. The Martha Goldmine Pit Rim Walkway in Waihi is an ...
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Weekend in The Coromandel from Auckland
As much as I enjoy going for walks in Auckland, it is also refreshing to head out of town.
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Walking with Children on Bikes and scooters in Auckland
Recently a friend enquired about doing walks in Auckland with young children who like to ride bikes and scooters.
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Things to do in Auckland
There are many outdoor activities and things to do in Auckland, and I would like to share with you one thing that won’t cost you ...
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Walks for Teens in Auckland
If you have been out walking around Auckland with your family as you have been growing up, being set free to go walking on your ...
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Spring Walks in Auckland
Winter in Auckland can be very wet and sometimes very cold. So to lift your spirits we have listed suggested walks where you can enjoy ...
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Summer Walks in Auckland
December is a beautiful time of year to get out walking when hopefully the weather starts becoming more stable and before it gets too hot.
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Explore the Shore
“Explore the Shore” is a series of three books each containing 10 main walks and compiled by Margaret Scrymgeour. The walks cover a large area ...
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Winter Walks in Auckland
Grab your rain jacket, hat and gloves and head outside to warm up with a winter walk! Even though the weather may not appeal, walking ...
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Dog Friendly Walks in Auckland
Our self-guides indicate if there are any dog friendly off-leash exercise areas and/or are suitable for dog friendly walks in Auckland.
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Walks in Auckland with Children
When children are age 5 or 6, they may be ready to get out walking to discover things to do in Auckland that are low-cost ...
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Dog Walks in Auckland – Dog Off-leash Areas
Our self-guides indicate if there are any dog friendly off-leash areas and/or are suitable for dog friendly walks in Auckland.
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Raglan 3 Bridges Loop
9 km • 1 hour 40 minutes • Very Easy • The Wallis Wharf to Lily Street Loop Walk begins its at the wharf and ...
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Pram Friendly Walks in Auckland
Auckland’s terrain is mainly hilly so it can be difficult to find flat walks that are buggy and pram friendly. Here is my list of ...
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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 ...
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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’.
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Olympic Park, New Lynn
I have driven past Olympic Park New Lynn many times thinking it was only a children’s playground. Yesterday we decided to stop and explore.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Maraetai and Omana Loop Walk
5 km • Medium • Today was our first walk around the 3 km perimeter of Omana Regional Park near Maraetai (pronounced my-right-eye).
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Tiritiri Matangi Island Walk
It’s been a long time since I last visited Tiritiri Matangi Island. It's changed a lot, in a good way. Lots of bird life and ...
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Murphys Bush Scenic Reserve
There is a variety of walks through the mature native bush at Murphys Bush with stands of Kahikatea, Puriri, Totara and Rimu, as well as ...
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Barry Curtis Park
Sir Barry Curtis Park in Flatbush was farmland and some of the farm’s old stone walls remain.
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Seaside Park Otahuhu
2 km • Less than 1 hour • Easy • Seaside Park at Otahuhu is a small and delightful park.
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Greenwoods Corner Walks
5 km • 1 hours • Easy • These short Auckland walks start from Greenwoods Corner and include One tree hill and Pah Homestead.
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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.
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Mangemangeroa Reserve Walking Track
5 km • 1 hour • Very Easy • The Mangemangeroa Shelly Park Beach Path walk was a totally new discovery for us today.
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Albany Massey Loop
7.5 km • 1 hour 30 minutes • Medium with steps • Today was our first walking exploration in the Albany area of Auckland.
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Wades Walkway Whitford
3.36 km • 60-70 minutes • Medium with stairs • Wades Walkway at Whitford is a little gem that we hope will be developed further ...
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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?
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Mangere Bridge Walks
Mangere Bridge Village is a great little spot to start exploring Auckland’s Manukau Harbour area. Here are our 5 loop walks.
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Manukau Harbour Coastal Walks
Manukau Harbour has many nooks and crannies to explore. Here are 10 places where you can walk beside Auckland’s Manukau Harbour and enjoy the diverse ...
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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.
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Eskadale Reserve Bush Walk
If you fancy a bush walk without travelling out of Auckland, then Eskdale Reserve and Birkenhead Domain are it.
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Hillsborough Cemetery to the Bays
60 Minutes • Easy with steps • The Hillsborough Cemetery to the Bays walk is one of the few walks in Auckland that does not ...
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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!
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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 ...
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Walks in Auckland – Victoria Park and Western Park
60 Minutes • Easy with steps • Today’s walk begins at Victoria Park Markets in downtown Auckland
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Blockhouse Bay Circuit
45 Minutes • Easy with steps • Have you ever wondered what a “Block House” is? Well, today I found out. Blockhouse Bay walk includes ...
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