- 5.5km loop, about 75 minutes at an easy walking pace
- Mostly formed track with some steps and inclines, plus a stretch of bush track that gets muddy when wet
- Loops through Wellpark Reserve and Jaggers Bush Reserve beside the creek, then out along the harbour edge at Westmere Park before returning to Garnet Road
- Starts and finishes on Garnet Road, Westmere, close to the Warwick Avenue bus stop
- Part of the Auckland Central walks collection
Quick facts
Getting to the Westmere Loop Walk
We started outside the old Garnet Station Cafe building on Garnet Road, the community minded cafe that anchored this end of Westmere for years. That building is now Taco Loco, a Mexican restaurant with more of an evening and weekend focus than the daytime coffee trade the old cafe did, so check current opening hours if you are planning to grab something before or after the walk. Either way, Garnet Road is still the easiest place to park and start from, and it is a short walk from the Warwick Avenue bus stop.
The walk through Wellpark and Jaggers Bush Reserves
From Garnet Road the loop drops into Wellpark Reserve and then Jaggers Bush Reserve, following the line of a small creek under good native cover. There are steps and a few short, sharp inclines, and the track turns muddy quickly once it has been raining, so proper shoes are worth it even on a fine day. Despite grey clouds and rain forecast on the day we walked it, we set off anyway and were glad we did.
The bush section gives way to streets again before the walk touches the harbour edge at Westmere Park. It is interesting to see the mix of housing along the way, old villas next to newer builds, all within a couple of streets of the water. At low tide you can take a short cut along the harbour edge here rather than following the formed path the whole way, which is a nice option if the tide is out when you come through.
What you will see on the Westmere Park side
Once you are out of the bush and onto the harbour edge at Westmere Park, the walk opens up. There are views across Auckland Harbour, a fair bit of birdlife around the reserve margins including the usual wood pigeons and fantails in the bush sections, and a real sense of the harbour side character that makes Westmere popular. It is a good spot to slow down for a few minutes before heading back up to Garnet Road.
Who this walk is for
This suits anyone with average fitness and mobility who does not mind a few steps and a bit of mud after rain. It is a good after work or weekend loop for locals, and an easy way for visitors to see a different side of Westmere beyond the main road. Not the best choice for a buggy given the steps in Jaggers Bush Reserve, but older kids will manage it fine.
When to go
Go on a dry day if you can, since the bush track through Jaggers Bush Reserve gets slippery in wet weather. If you want the harbour edge short cut at Westmere Park, time your walk around low tide. Early morning or late afternoon are good for birdlife in the reserves.
Important stuff
Both Jaggers Bush Reserve and Westmere Park have their own dog rules, and these can differ from what you might have heard locally, so check the current dog rules on the Auckland Council website before you let your dog off leash in either reserve. The track through the bush sections has steps and can be muddy and slippery when wet, so wear shoes with some grip. Westmere Park has no dedicated car park, so you will be parking on the surrounding streets.
My honest take
I have walked this loop a few times now and it is one of those Westmere walks that locals use constantly but visitors rarely find. The mix of bush, creek and harbour in one 75 minute loop is hard to beat for the effort involved. My only real gripe is the mud after rain through Jaggers Bush Reserve, so I would not recommend it in your good shoes straight after a downpour.
Common questions
Where does the Westmere Loop Walk start?
It starts on Garnet Road in Westmere, outside the building that used to house Garnet Station Cafe and is now Taco Loco. Check current opening hours for the restaurant if you want food or coffee around your walk.
Is there parking at Westmere Park?
No, Westmere Park has no dedicated car park. Park on the surrounding streets and walk in.
Can I let my dog off leash on this walk?
Check the current dog rules on the Auckland Council website for both Jaggers Bush Reserve and Westmere Park before you go, since the rules can differ from what people assume locally.
How long does the Westmere Loop Walk take?
About 75 minutes to cover the full 5.5km loop at an easy pace.
Is the track suitable for a buggy?
Not really. The steps and inclines through Jaggers Bush Reserve make it awkward with a buggy, though older kids on foot will be fine.
Other walks nearby
See more Auckland Central walks.
