The coldest months of the year are upon us, and curling up on the couch to binge-watch a new series is tempting. But before you do, try getting outside and experiencing a winter walk to lift the spirits.
You don’t need to go full Arctic explorer and do a six-hour tramp (although feel free!) you can embrace the elements with many short walks and boardwalks scattered across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
1. Rain just smells so good
When rain falls on dry soil, plants release compounds like geosmin, ozone and plant oils. This earthy smell was named petrichor by Australian scientists in the 1960s, and geosmin has even been used as a perfume ingredient. The next time it rains, consider your nearest bush track as a natural perfumery.
Smiths Bush Path in Northcote’s Onewa Domain is a great option, and it takes just 25 minutes to walk along the elevated boardwalk.
Take a moment during the colder months to stroll through the native beauty of Smiths Bush Reserve.
Or breathe in the scent of tōtara in the rain (now there’s a name for a Kiwiana scent!) at Tōtara Puhinui Creek Path in Manurewa. With two playgrounds, the kids will be eager to join you, and dogs will love the off-leash dog area whatever the weather.
Tōtara Park.
2. Everchanging vistas
Rain or shine, boardwalks and mountainside views are all available at Shakespear Regional Park.
Clear blue skies are definitely uplifting, but fine weather can be overrated. Overcast, wet weather can alter familiar views, creating an air of mystery. Head to Shakespear Regional Park on a rainy day and watch the central city drifting in and out of view in the distance while you enjoy a wild walk across farmland on the tip of Whangaparāoa Peninsula.
Or enjoy watching the waves in Manukau Harbour, looking across to the Coromandel Peninsula and back to Auckland city from the lookout on Āwhitu Hatton Road Path.
3. Get positive with negative ions
Putting on your winter jacket and walking in wet weather is a good boost because colliding water droplets produce more negative ions in the air, which improves our sense of wellbeing.
If you think this sounds a bit “woo woo”, the US government’s National Library of Medicine did a review of research on the topic and found that while there is still more to learn, negative ions have been associated with improving sleep, reducing stress and boosting immunity.
4. Blow away the cobwebs
Musick Point.
The Dutch expression uitwaaien means “outblowing” but refers to walking in the wind, based on the idea that experiencing windy weather is a great way to reduce stress. One great spot in Auckland to practise uitwaaien and blow away the cobwebs is Musick Point Path, which treats you to stunning views of Rangitoto, Motukorea / Browns, Motuihe and Waiheke islands.
5. Unmissable boardwalks
It's time to tread the boards! When rain clouds are on the horizon or a deluge has left puddles in your favourite park, there’s no need to let the weather stop you from enjoying the best of the region’s outdoor environments. Auckland has many great walking trails designed to adapt to our rainy climate.
Boardwalks also improve accessibility, allowing wheelchair and pram access to parts of our parks, meaning more Aucklanders can enjoy nature. Boardwalks also protect our vulnerable environments to diseases such as kauri dieback. We encourage visitors to enjoy these walks but remember to respect te taiao (the environment) and staff at these locations.
Here’s a selection of beautiful boardwalks that will keep your shoes dry:
Walk among giants in Kauri Glen Reserve
Kauri Glen Reserve boardwalk.
Just 10km north of Auckland’s city centre (or a 20-minute journey on public transport from the Sky Tower), you can leave the skyscrapers behind and walk in the canopy of some precious tree giants. The new 60m-long treetop boardwalk and three-span glulam (laminated timber) bridge at Kauri Glen Reserve is 18m above the ground, allowing a birds-eye view of this pocket of the North Shore.
The reserve features mature kauri and tānekaha, including some trees that are between 300 and 400 years old. The canopy walk showcases these natural treasures and reduces the risk of spreading kauri dieback, a fungal disease affecting trees through their root systems.
There are also shoe cleaning stations at the walk entrances to combat kauri dieback.
Please note that there is limited street parking and no toilet facilities.
The boardwalk at Āwhitu Regional Park
The protected wetlands and salt marshes at Āwhitu Regional Park in southwest Auckland are one of the region’s biodiversity treasures. The two wetland areas, which transition from freshwater to saltwater, are home to the largest population of mātātā (fernbird) within Manukau Harbour, as well as mioweka (banded rail), pūweto (spotless crake) and the camera shy and vulnerable matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern).
Enjoy this unique environment as part of the 45-minute Brook Homestead Walk, which also passes Kauritūtahi Beach and the historic Brook Homestead.
A nature wonder tucked behind suburbia
If you want to hear birdsong right in the heart of the ‘burbs, try the Weona-Westmere Path. This 30-minute walk runs along the edge of Western Springs Creek estuary and meanders through magnificently tall mangroves as well as pōhutukawa-lined foreshore and a bush track with nīkau, kōwhai and cabbage trees.
The southern portion has a boardwalk which runs beside the Western Springs Creek through the mangroves. The southern section features a grand boardwalk, which is particularly impressive at high tide.
Meander through the mangroves at Patuone Reserve Walkway
Patuone walkway.
Explore the unique mangrove environment of Auckland’s North Shore on the newly improved $2.6 million Patuone Reserve Walkway. The project features an extensive boardwalk as well as concrete paths. It also involved significant replanting of more than 1500 native trees and plants to support birds and other wildlife.
This gentle walk is a cycleway too, starting at Esmonde Road and following the edge of the estuary north to Auburn Reserve.
Escape to a blue lagoon at Ōrākei Basin Path
Another boardwalk wonder in Tāmaki Makaurau is Ōrākei Basin, a tidal lagoon and extinct volcanic crater which is a hub for watersports such as waterskiing (check the flushing schedule). The Ōrākei Basin Path is a 45-minute walk around the basin with views of the city. The impressive boardwalk section snakes its way to the Meadowbank stream bridge, a great spot for a selfie.
When on the The Path of Land and Sea /Te Ara ki Uta ki Tai which is the boardwalk, always keep left and be aware that it’s is popular with cyclists.
A note on accessibility:
This path does feature some steep stairs, including the entrance near Lucerne Road behind the Auckland Water Ski Club. This may be a challenge to some less experienced walkers and is not accessible to wheelchairs.
So don’t let a showery day put you off. Get out on our city’s paths, boardwalks and beaches and breathe in the negative ions.