Enjoy the seaside by walking part, or all, of our beautiful coastline.
This 23 km urban walk takes you from Long Bay in the north, to Devonport in the south, where you can catch a Fullers ferry to Downtown Auckland and link with Auckland’s coast to coast walk.
About the walk
Te Araroa logos, markers on posts, and small fingerboards on poles mark the all-tide route.
This route follows cliff top tracks, pedestrian shortcuts, steps and footpaths.
At low tide only, it is possible to walk almost all the way on the shoreline, but your council does not recommend this route. Rocks may be very slippery and unstable underfoot, and there are high unstable cliffs above you.
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 part way, and complete it at low tide the following day.
All walkers must come inshore between Castor Bay Esplanade and Milford Beach to cross Wairau Creek on the Inga Road bridge. There is no foreshore route between these two beaches.
Wairau Creek cannot be safely forded at any stage of the tide.
Route description (all-tide route)
Length |
Twenty-three kilometres from Long Bay to Devonport |
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Walking time |
Seven hours |
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Track standard |
A mix of suburban footpath, steep paths and steps, with some slippery and uneven surfaces and unstable rocks. |
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Equipment |
Wear comfortable clothes and strong walking shoes, carry water, snacks, raincoat, sunscreen and hat. There are cafes and dairies en route |
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Caution |
Parts of the signed route are very steep. There are steps and narrow grassy tracks which may become slippery in wet weather
On the coastal route many sections involve boulder-hopping. Rocks may be unstable or slippery, and there is the danger of falling rocks from the cliffs above
It is easy to be cut off by the rising tide without any way up the cliffs. If you are unsure of the state of the tide, please follow the signed all-tide route |
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Report damage |
Please report any track hazards or damage to signs |
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Management |
Auckland Transport |
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Te Araroa Trust
Te Araroa Trust was formed by a small group of enthusiasts to pursue the goal of a New Zealand hiking trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff - a total distance of 2,920 km.
Te Araroa Trust has:
Designed the trail route
Won the support of 14 district, city and regional councils
Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Conservation
Signed up five regional trusts to administer the trail in their regions.
Te Araroa will traverse 10 cities en-route. The North Shore Coastal Walk is Te Araroa’s first fully marked up urban section.