Auckland Short Walk: Henderson Creek

The previous Waitakere City Council has spent a great deal of ratepayers’ money on providing walkways and cycle-ways throughout the district. It was heartening to see people make the most of them as we walked alongside the Creek. Hopefully the “International Walk

way of Trees” section will become a wonderful legacy as many of the trees were gifted and planted for future generations by representatives of the ethnic communities living in Waitakere City as at October 2000.

We did enjoy our 4.5km walk - the sun was shining, the birds were singing, we were sheltered from the cool breeze and this was a part of Auckland that was new to us. To top it all off, we had a delicious coffee at The Falls Restaurant - sitting outside in the sunny courtyard.

Henderson Creek was once a hive of activity for traders, vintners, farmers, orchardists and families, and the area was also known for its timber milling industry.

There are off leash dog exercise areas within the reserves and parks – look out for signs.

Description: Mostly level paths.Suitable for most ages and levels of fitness and mobility, designed with flat shoes or running shoes in mind. Suitable for pushchairs.

To see: Henderson Creek, historical sites.

Time: approx. 60 minutes (about 4.5kms). Cafés: The Falls Restaurant Public toilets: Tui Glen Reserve Children’s playgrounds: Tui Glen Reserve (includes a flying fox)

Dogs: Off leash exercise areas: within reserves and parks.

Picnic Sites: Take your own rugs and picnic gear. Directions: Start from the corner of Edmonton Road and Alderman Drive.

Enter Falls Park via the entrance in front of The Falls Restaurant.

Cross the yellow bridge to the right > to Tui Glen Reserve.

Follow the walkway alongside the creek.

Take the next left < to enter the “International Walkway of Trees”.

Veer right > (do not turn left under the road bridge), to exit on the footpath of Central Park Drive. Turn left < and cross over the bridge. Take the very next road to the left < and after the business sign, turn left < onto walkway to Epping Esplanade (not sign posted).

Exit straight ahead into Epping Road and continue along Buscomb Avenue. Turn left < into Millstream Drive. Turn right > just before #37 Millstream Drive onto pathway leading to Falls Park.

Take the next path to the left < and continue around the circumference of Falls Park to continue alongside Henderson Creek (keep on your left, do not cross the yellow bridge) to return to the start.