How awesome is it that in a few hours you can walk from one side of NZ to the other?
It may be a hack of sorts thanks to Auckland’s geography, but it’s fun all the same.
The Coast to Coast walk Auckland (not the Coast to Coast down south) is a 16km route starting from CBD (Waitemata Harbour) and finishing in Onehunga Harbour (or vice versa).
Along the way, you’ll see some of the cities famous attractions and glimpses of suburban life. If you’re really keen, you can complete the walk return, but taking the train back to the start is the most popular option.
Looking a bit scruffy on the Coast to Coast walk (the photos get better…I promise).
I’ve completed this walk several times (in both directions) and will share my experience along with useful information to help you max out your enjoyment on the trail.
Note: I’ll be talking about the walk starting from the CBD.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Details About The Auckland Coast To Coast Walk
2. Auckland Coast To Coast Walk Map
3. How To Get To The Start
4. My Experience On The Coast to Coast Walkway
1. DETAILS ABOUT THE COAST TO COAST WALK AUCKLAND
When1: Last completed in October 2020 (I’ve done it about 5 times)
Walk Distance2: According to DOC the walk is 16km (one way), but my Google Map has it at 17km so it’s there or there abouts. You can add another few hundred metres to get to Onehunga Train Station too.
Difficulty3: Medium.
Incline: I can’t get a good official number and haven’t tracked it on Strava yet. But you do climb the 196 metre Mount Eden summit, and the 183 metre high One Tree Hill.
Walk Duration4: It takes me about 3.5 hours to complete. Google Maps has it at 3 hours 46 minutes, but you could happily spend 5-6 hours on the walkway, with a picnic in Cornwall Park or Mount Eden.
2. AUCKLAND COAST TO COAST WALK MAP
You can save this Google map of the Coast to Coast, Aucklands awesome walkway to your device (click on the star).
Note: You don’t need to follow this map step for step as you might want to walk through Albert Park, or take another route up Mount Eden.
3. HOW TO GET TO THE START
You’ll find the yellow signs keep you going in the right direction.
These to/from directions are based on starting from the viaduct/CBD (here).
Getting to The viaduct: If you’re staying in the CBD, the easiest thing to do is walk to the viaduct.
Not a fan of walking? Then taking public transport will be your best bet, with the goal of getting to Britomart and starting there (use the Journey Planner for transport to Britomart).
From Onehunga: After you’ve finished the walk the Onehunga railway station is not far away and will take you back to Britomart in the CBD via Newmarket and Ellerslie.
The trains run every 20-30 mins throughout the day, so you’ll never wait too long (timetable).
4. MY EXPERIENCE ON THE COAST TO COAST WALKWAY
The Auckland skyline as seen from the summit of Mount Eden is one of the iconic views of Auckland
The viaduct is gorgeous, making this ‘trailhead’ a nice place to start. You’ll be walking through the CBD to start but the scenes quickly change when you reach Auckland University, the countries largest uni.
The official Coast to Coast walk Auckland doesn’t take you through Albert Park which is close to the Uni, but I like it with its large trees, a statue of Queen Victoria, and fountain.
A moody Albert Park (how cool is the sky!)
Once you exit the university, you’re close to Auckland Domain which is where Auckland Museum is. The Domain is massive, with a few short trails, a duck pond, and plenty of rugby fields where you might catch a game in action.
The impressive Auckland Museum building.
After walking through Auckland Domain, you walk on the outskirts of the upscale suburb, Newmarket, before beginning the Mount Eden ascent. There are several routes to the top. Take whichever one looks good to you.
The views from Mount Eden are epic, as is the crater (I wish you could enter). From here you’ll be able to see One Tree Hill, and Onehunga Harbour in the distance. You’ll be at both of these soon enough.
Make sure you take the right route leaving Mount Eden to avoid spending time rerouting. After wandering through the affluent Epsom you’ll enter Alexandra Park, the gateway to Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill.
You’re going to love this spot (I hope).
Cornwall Park is stunning! I love all the trees and flowers here and find myself getting lost in thought on the way to One Tree Hill.
Feel free to take the route up the hill that suits your eye (there’s a road leading to the top which is the easiest) and say hello to the sheep for me.
Sheep + One Tree Hill = Quality photo.
Once again, you’ve got awesome views from up here and you’ll be grateful it’s all downhill from here!
After saying goodbye to the sheep and Cornwall Park, you’re in the suburb of Royal Hill (which has a shopping mall) before walking into Onehunga for the finish.
Wooo, we made it!
Not all of you will be a fan of spending time in Auckland, but this walk might help you see the city in a different light. It did for me!
At worst, it’s a good starting point to consider where to walk in Auckland (I recommend the North Shore coastal walk too).
As always you can email me jub@churnewzealand.com about anything. Or comment below about your thoughts on the Coast to Coast walk Auckland.
RECOMMENDED READING
12+ Things to do in Auckland
What to do in this city beyond the Coast to Coast walkway
Touring the Chelsea Sugar Factory
Take a tour of the iconic factory
Taking a tour of Eden Park
An Eden Park tour review
Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.