You can walk or bike along the Westhaven walkway via the Auckland Viaduct and St Marys Bay, I walked it. There is so much to see with the history and charm on Auckland’s waterfront. From massive luxury boats, stunning harbour bridge views, Erin Point park, a pedestrian bridge crossing the motorway, and everything in between.
I’ve also done a shorter walk if you are tight on time, it doesn’t go around the viaduct part and saves a couple of kms. It’s the Point Erin and Auckland Harbour Walk.
The Auckland summer weather did not disappoint today, it was perfect. I started my morning from Devonport and caught the 8.30am ferry to downtown Auckland, then hung a right and walked along to the viaduct, the official start of this walk.
Walk straight ahead towards the draw bridges. You’ll walk over the old bridge that no longer works, then onto the pretty newer white bridge which does work. Listen out for the bells telling you to get off the bridge it’s about to go up and let a boat or two through.
As you exit the drawbridge you’ll be in Karanga Plaza where you can dip your toes in the water and admire the city view. At the kiosk there’s even a bike fix-it stand on hand if you to do any repairs. Carry on walking straight ahead past the many, many restaurants and bars lining the waterfront. Silo Park is a hub of events: markets, outdoor movies, festivals and more.
The official Westhaven Path map detailed by the Auckland council website doesn’t mention walking to Silo Marina, I don’t know why, it should be part of the walk. Just walk straight to the end for great views out to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
These are “Love Locks”. Love locks appeared all over the fence at downtown Auckland’s Silo Park. Some of the padlocks have the names of couples engraved on them and have dates on them too.
In other countries, couples attach the padlocks as a sign of their love. The Silo Park fence sits along the harbour’s edge with views of the harbour bridge and the Waitemata.
To your left walk past more silos, past more lovely boats then turn left into Jellicoe St. Follow the road and take the first right into Beaumont St. Poke your head into the boat stacker parking shed, it’s really cool.
You can walk all the way to the end of Beaumont St then hang a right or cut the corner and take a right at Westhaven Dr, this is what I did.
You’ll walk past the footbridge over the motorway, along Westhaven Dr, past Pier Q and onto the start of the new Westhaven promenade walkway. Follow the boardwalk past Sails Restaurant, past even more boats in the marina until you get to the end at Buoy Cafe under the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Turn left and walk under the bridge along Curran St, past the smelly fisherman, following the waterfront and up the hill. Turn left at the first crossroad at the corner of Pt Erin Park.
The Auckland Harbour Bridge was officially opened on the 30th of May 1959 and almost 5 million vehicles crossed the bridge in the first year. Vehicles paid a toll to cross the bridge until 1984.
Turn left into Pt Erin Park, continue along the nice track keeping straight ahead and up the hill. You’ll be following along the edge of the park then around the back of the now dated Pt Erin Pools.
I walked right to the end then turned left and started walking downhill. Follow the track down the steps onto the wide path at the bottom, this is Shelly Bay. Follow the wide track all the way to the footbridge over the motorway. Walk over the bridge and down the steps on the other side.
Before the construction of the Auckland Harbour bridge, the headland at Pt Erin and the beach below were sites of great cultural significance for local Maori. After European settlement, the area also became a popular place for swimming and picnicking. Located at the base of the headland and reached by footbridge from the beach, the Shelly beach saltwater baths were officially opened in November 1912. The baths and a number of small boatyards nearby were demolished in the 1950s to make way for the Auckland Harbour Bridge and its motorway approaches.
At the base of the footbridge turn left into Westhaven Drive, then follow the road to the left until you get back onto Beaumont Street. Turn left at Beaumont Street take the first right into Pakenham Street West and follow this until you get to the end. Turn left into Halsey Street. Walk along a bit until you can turn right at the corner of the big apartment building and follow the path to the end. You’ll turn right again now you’re following the Viaduct Harbour marina waterfront. Follow the path all the way around the waterfront, passing the wind statues until you get back to the start of the walk at the Viaduct Basin, where all the restaurants, bars and cafes are.
The iconic Auckland Dockline Tram performs its well versed 1.5km loop of Wynyard Quarter every weekend. The tram operates on Sundays, public holidays and Saturdays over long weekends from 10 am – 4 pm.
Passengers will enjoy the tram ride along Jellicoe, Halsey, Gaunt and Daldy streets whilst providing live commentary on the sights, attractions and history of the area.
The cost of travelling on the tram is deliberately kept low, with all-day tickets priced at $2 for an adult and $1 for a child. Seniors with a SuperGold Card and under-five-year-olds will ride for free.
As the tram is considered a tourist attraction and not public transport, payment for the tram must be made by card or cash and AT HOP cards will not be accepted.
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