Auckland Short Walk: Explore Grey Lynn’s short walks
This walk explores both Cox’s Bay Reserve and Grey Lynn Park around Grey Lynn in Central Auckland.
Cox’s Bay Reserve is made up of three parks - Hukanui Reserve where the new boardwalk (opened 15th June 2013) is, Bayfield Park where you may wish to have your picnic, and the sports fields of Cox’s Bay Park. It is a mini-paradise for dog owners with off-leash dog exercise areas.
And it is family friendly too, with a selection of children’s playgrounds and picnic sites. It is a great place for joggers and people who like to use the outdoor fitness stations.
The wide open spaces, sculptures, playing fields, the creek, mangrove swamps, gullies, the bay itself, a field with cattle and tall mature trees surrounded by interesting residential housing, make this another walk that is full of variety. Also of interest is the Kelmarna Gardens Nature Trail off Hukanui Crescent - A self-directed nature trail will show you chickens, vegetable gardens, a pony and young cattle, an organic orchard, beehives, worm farm, compost making, native trees and flax.
The trail winds its way through the gardens, across paddocks and links to Cox’s Creek Walkway. The gardens were established in 1981 and have been organically managed for 32 years. The land is owned by Auckland Council for the benefit of the whole community. For history information visit “Meanderings about Cox’s Creek”. Nearby Walks: Western Springs and Meola Creek
Description: Paved walkways, steps, inclines and board walks. Suitable for users of average fitness and mobility.
To see: Sculptures, playing fields, the creek, mangrove swamps, gullies, the bay itself, a field with cattle and tall mature trees surrounded by interesting residential housing. Time: approx. 70 minutes. (about 5.58 kms) Start: Westmoreland Street West off Richmond Road, Grey Lynn. Cafés: Bread & Butter, 34 Westmoreland St. West Public toilets: Grey Lynn Park Children’s playgrounds: Cox’s Bay Reserve and Grey Lynn Park
Dogs: Off leash areas in Cox’s Bay Reserve and Grey Lynn Park —check signage for rules.
Picnic sites: Cox’s Bay Reserve and Grey Lynn Park Directions:
Start from Westmoreland Street West, Grey Lynn (off Richmond Road).
1. Cross Richmond Road, turn right > and turn left < to enter the Cox’s Creek Walkway opposite Westmoreland Street West.
2. Continue straight ahead until you reach a cross path junction.
3. Turn left < and follow the path around the playing field of Cox’s Bay Park, past the changing sheds and toilets.
4. Turn right > alongside West End Road with a view of Cox’s Bay.
5. Follow the walkway straight ahead back around the other side of the playing fields.
6. At the cross path junction turn left < and cross the bridge into Bayfield Park. 7. Turn right > at the next junction and cross another bridge. 8. Continue straight ahead into Hukanui Crescent. 9. Continue straight ahead along Parawai Crescent. 10. Take the next left < into Tawariki Street (signposted to Moira Reserve).
11. At the very end of Tawariki Street, turn right > into the walkway beside #41. 12. Cross over Moira Street, continue straight ahead. 13. Turn left < into Richmond Road, then cross over at the pedestrian crossing, continue left <.
14. Turn right > into Farrar Street. Cross Jessel and Cockburn Streets. 15. Enter Grey Lynn Park at the very end of Farrar Street. 16. Continue straight ahead until you reach a 4 way junction and the entrance to “The Grey Lynn Sculpture Park”.
17. Enter the gully “Sculptura”, and continue straight ahead.
18. Take the left < path to Rose Road and follow the road around the corner to the right > into Arnold Street. 19. Re-enter Grey Lynn Park via the Arnold Street entrance. 20. Continue straight ahead at the junction and follow the path past the basketball hoops and public toilets. 21. Turn right > into Dryden Street. 22. Turn left < into Cockburn Street, cross the road, turn left <.
23. Turn right > into the Cox’s Creek Walkway (between #58 & #33).
24. Take the left < fork, cross Sackville Street, turn left < along Sackville Street.
25. Turn right > into walkway between #27a and the pensioner flats.
26. Turn left < into Westmoreland Street West and follow the road to the right > to return to the start.