North Shore Coastal Walk

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

The track block at km 587.5 has been removed.  There is temporary detour away from the coastal path at km 587.5. A land owner is in dispute with the City Council and has blocked the short section of path that crossed private land.  For southbound follow the steps up the hill away from the coast, walks a short part of Kitchener Road before turning left to a path back to the coast. Depending on the tide and personal agility it is quite possible to get past the blockage by scrambling around the rocks.  Please do not trespass onto the private land.

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. There are multiple pathways through the North Head Historic Reserve, with varying signage.  In general take the path nearest to the coast to exit onto Jubilee Avenue. Continue on King Edward Parade to Devonport

From Devonport Wharf, you can catch a Fullers ferry to link with the next stage of Te Araroa, Auckland’s coast to coast walk.  The ferry trip requires an AT HOP card which can be purchased in small shops and dairies in Auckland, or in the Take Home shop at Auckland Airport.  If you don't have an AT HOP card you can pay cash at the booth in the city terminal. There is no ticket office at Devonport Wharf.  

UPDATE 18th November 2024. The AT public transport network has been updated to accept credit and debit cards to tag on and off buses trains and ferries. HOP cards still work 

These is a printable map of the route.