North Shore Coastal Walk

Average rating: 5
  • Walking
Difficulty
Medium
Length
31.4 km
Journey Time
6–7 hours
Region
Auckland
Sub-Region
North Shore
Part of Collections
Wenderholm to DevenportTe Araroa - New Zealand's TrailTe Araroa - North Island
Track maintained by
Te Araroa Trail Trust

Te Araroa trail section: This walk from Long Bay to Devonport never strays far from the coastline.

All-tide route follows cliff top tracks, pedestrian shortcuts, steps and footpaths. After heavy weather events, some areas can be affected so follow marked alternatives or self-navigate the streets.

You will need to take careful note of the time of low tide, as there are several points where you can be cut off by the rising water. If you want to walk the whole way during one low tide, prepare to do some wading. Alternatively, break the walk partway, and complete it at low tide the following day. At low tide only: check tide times

It is possible to walk almost all the way on the shoreline, but Auckland Council does not recommend this route. Rocks may be very slippery and unstable underfoot. Because high sandstone cliffs are subject to sudden rockfalls, please keep at least 10m out from the cliffs. 

Long Bay to Torbay

From Long Bay, near Marine Education Recreation Centre at the bottom of Beach Road, head up the Oneroa Track to Cliff Road. Go down Cliff Road to Rewi Street, turn left into Rock Isle Road, right into Waiake Street, left onto Beach Road and head down to Waiake Beach (Torbay).

Torbay to Browns Bay

Walk along the Waiake beachfront at Torbay, go up Beach Road for a short while and turn left into Sharon Road. At the end of Sharon Road, follow the Lotus Walk down to Manly Esplanade and Browns Bay Beach.

Browns Bay to Rothesay Bay

At the southern end of Browns Bay Beach follow the concrete path to the footbridge, which leads round onto the North Shore City Cliff Top Walkway, up the steps to Beechwood Road, past Dan Jones Bluff and down to Rothesay Bay.

Rothesay Bay to Murrays Bay

Coming out of the Cliff Top Walkway at Rothesay Bay, follow the path across the footbridge, through the reserve, and up into Rothesay Bay Road. From there turn left into Churchill Road, and just before the road curves right, head down Gumdiggers Trail and onto the Cliff Top Walkway, to emerge on Murrays Bay Reserve.

Murrays Bay to Mairangi Bay

From the reserve at the northern end of Murrays Bay, walk along the beachfront and then up the steps to the Cliff Top Walkway at the southern end of the beach. This leads up and over to come out on Mairangi Bay beachfront.

Mairangi Bay to Campbells Bay

From Mairangi Bay Beach head up Forde Way to Whitby Crescent. Turn left into Whitby and a little way along find Te Araroa signs pointing up Sea Dog Alley to View Road. Head left down View Road until you reach the Possum Ladder track on the left. This will take you down to Campbells Bay.

Campbells Bay to Castor Bay

Walk along Campbells Bay Beach, and up Huntly Road to Beach Road. Stay on Beach Road as far as JF Kennedy Memorial Park. Go through the park to the eastern edge and follow the track through to Rahopara Historic Reserve. From here take the path down to Castor Bay Reserve.

Castor Bay to Milford

From The Esplanade at Castor Bay there is no access, at any time of the tide, around the beach to Milford. Wairau Creek cannot be safely forded.

At the southern end of Castor Bay Esplanade, turn right along the concrete path and follow it left to climb the steps between the houses, emerging on Beach Road at the top of the hill. From there go down to Inga Road, and across the footbridge over Wairau Creek, through the reserve and onto Milford beach.

Milford to Takapuna 

You can walk all the way along the beach and rocks from the northern end of Milford Beach to the southern end of Takapuna Beach. Between Milford Beach and Takapuna Beach the route follows the North Shore City heritage trail Takapuna – Milford Walk and crosses private property thanks to the owners’ goodwill. Please respect the environment and the privacy of local residents, and do not trespass on private property outside the described route.

Note: The pathway in this area is not properly constructed, so please take care. Neither North Shore City Council, Te Araroa Trust, nor the private property owners accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or injury to you or your property arising from your use of this walkway.

Takapuna to Devonport

From the southern end of Takapuna Beach, head up Clifton Road to Lake Road. Walk down past Takapuna Grammar School and Belmont Intermediate School, turn left into Winscombe Road, and then right along Seacliffe Avenue and Hamana Street. At Old Lake Road, turn left to reach Narrow Neck Beach. At low tide it is possible to walk along the beach from Takapuna to Narrow Neck Beach.

From the southern end of the beach follow Vauxhall Road up and over, down to Bath Street on your left. At Bath Street turn left to reach Cheltenham Beach and walk along the sand as far as Cheltenham Road. 

Here, there are two options:

  • You may leave the beach at Cheltenham Road, and walk straight through to Devonport.

Or

  • You may go to the end of the beach and up North Head to come down Takarunga Road. Then head left along King Edward Parade to finish at Devonport Wharf.

From Devonport Wharf, you can catch a Fullers ferry to link with the next stage of Te Araroa, Auckland’s coast to coast walk.

These is a printable map of the route.

Conditions

The trail is a mix of suburban footpaths, steep paths and steps, with some slippery and uneven surfaces and unstable rocks. Wear comfortable clothes and strong walking shoes, carry water, snacks, raincoat, sunscreen and a hat.

Caution: Parts of the signed route are very steep. There are steps and narrow grassy tracks which may become slippery in wet weather.

Potential hazards

  • Vehicles on road or track take care when walking in urban areas
  • Tides, waves and rivers safer at low tide
  • Track exposed to sun, wind or cold

Dog restrictions apply on the beaches.

How to get here

Northern Start: Long Bay Regional Park, North Shore
Southern End: Devonport

Transport

North Shore

For bus transport to/from Long Bay Regional Park 

    • Auckland Transport for bus or train information - P: 0800 103 080 freephone or 09 366 6400.  All public transport, buses, trains and ferries operated by Auckland Transport uses an AT HOP card for payment.  Cash payments are not accepted onboard buses, trains or ferries.
    • Pre-pay AT HOP cards can be purchased and topped up at many small shops in Auckland and from vending machines at some terminals. $5 card purchase, plus transport credit as required.  It is highly recommended to download the free AT Mobile app for planning any trip in Auckland, whether by public transport or on foot as the app calculates route maps to any address
  • North Shore Taxis - P: 09 488 8000
  • Fullers Ferries - passenger ferry runs between Devonport Wharf and Auckland CBD. The trip takes 12 mins and generally departs every half hour - check the timetable. P: 09 367 9111. There is no ticket office at Devonport Wharf, but passengers without an AT HOP card can pay at the booth at the city terminal. 

Accommodation

North Shore

Also, throughout this section, there is a wide range of a variety of accommodation available.

Karin's Villa - 27 Clarence St, Devonport - P: 09 4458689 - E: stay@karinsvilla.com

B&B accommodation with free internet and laundry.

Food And Supply

Short detour to Browns Bay Village

A range of shops including supermarket, cafes, banks and a pharmacy

Short detour to Mairangi Bay Village

A range of shops including supermarket, cafes, banks and a pharmacy

Short detour to Milford township

A range of shops including supermarket, cafes, banks and a pharmacy

Short detour to Takapuna township

A range of shops including supermarkets, cafes, banks and pharmacies.

Short detour to Devonport township

A range of shops including supermarkets, cafes, banks and pharmacies. Includes Devonport i-SITE Visitor Information Centre - Devonport Wharf, Devonport P: 09 3659906

Track Elevation and Map

More information

General information 

  • Long Bay Regional Park, 2000 Beach Road, Long Bay. Duty Ranger 24/7. Pedestrian access - Open 24 hours,
  • Summer gate opening times: 6am to 9pm (Daylight saving time), Winter gate opening times: 6am to 9pm (non-daylight saving time)
  • For further information contact Auckland Council on P: 09 301 0101
  • For local assistance (in/around Campbells Bay), please contact Rob Howe 027 6922674.
  • Rob has walked most of the Trail between Cape Reinga and Hamilton and is happy to advise/assist as he can.

Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.


We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.

We recommend trying these online learning tools:

Trip Planning

Tramping/field Skills

Basic Navigation

River Safety

Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.

Mountain Safety Council Plan My Trip
Page last updated: Aug 30, 2023, 11:38 AM