- Flat, paved paths through Flat Bush, easy going for prams, scooters and bikes, but there is no single signposted loop
- Dogs must be on leash at all times, there is no off leash area
- Paths off the paved sections turn to mud quickly after rain
- The Wetlands Building now has public toilets, shelter and seating right next to the destination playground
- Part of the Manukau Walks network in Auckland
Quick facts
| Location | Flat Bush, Manukau, Auckland |
| Distance | No set loop, a network of paths, walk as much or as little as you like |
| Time | 30 to 90 minutes depending on the route you pick |
| Difficulty | Easy and flat, paved sections are buggy and wheelchair friendly |
| Dog policy | On leash at all times, no off leash area |
| Parking | Free, separate car parks off Chapel Road, Stancombe Road and Flat Bush School Road |
| Gate hours | 7am to 6.30pm in winter, 7am to 8.30pm during daylight saving |
| Toilets | Yes, at the Wetlands Building next to the destination playground |
| Cost | Free |
Getting there
Barry Curtis Park sits in Flat Bush, Manukau. The park has separate access points depending on what you are after. The car park for basketball and the skate ramp is off Chapel Road, the playgrounds are reached from Stancombe Road, and the sports fields are off Flat Bush School Road. Gates are open from 7am to 6.30pm in winter and 7am to 8.30pm during daylight saving, so time your visit around those hours.
The walk
This was once farmland and some of the old farm’s stone walls are still standing, a nice reminder of what Flat Bush looked like before the houses arrived. The walkways through Barry Curtis Park are extensive, but a lot of them come to a sudden dead end. There are also random hills with no paths up them at all, which feels like a missed opportunity given how much has clearly been spent on the structures and walkways here.
Stick to the paved paths if you can. Anything off them turns to mud fast after rain, we got splashed above the knees on one visit. However, the paths might be better now.
What you’ll see
The old stone walls are the most interesting historical feature, a leftover from the park’s farming days. There’s a pond, open grass areas, a children’s playground and a skate park. The Wetlands Building has been upgraded with new toilets, shelter, seating and an extended pavilion cover, and it is now open to the public right next to the destination playground.
A church sits near the park boundary, a useful landmark if you are trying to find your way back to Stancombe Road.
Who it’s for
Families with kids on bikes and scooters will get the most out of Barry Curtis Park, the paved paths are wide and flat and there is plenty of room to ride. It is also genuinely good for prams and buggies. If you are after a proper bush walk or a track with a real sense of destination, this is not it. There are no gardens and no cafe on site, so do not come expecting either.
When to go
Pick a dry day. The paved paths are fine in any weather but the grass and unpaved sections get muddy quickly after rain. Saturday mornings from 8am are busier than usual because of the local parkrun, so head there later in the day or on a weekday if you want the place quieter.
Important stuff
Dogs must be on leash at all times in Barry Curtis Park, there is no off leash exercise area here, so check the current Auckland Council rules if that changes your plans. Gates are open 7am to 6.30pm in winter and 7am to 8.30pm during daylight saving. Toilets are available at the newly upgraded Wetlands Building next to the destination playground.
My honest take
This was our first visit to Barry Curtis Park and it left us a bit puzzled. The walkways are extensive but many of them come to a sudden dead end, and there are random hills with no paths up them. It was extremely muddy after rain, we got mud splashed up above our knees. A great deal has clearly been spent on structures and walkways here, but apart from the children’s playground and skate park, there was not much to draw walkers in. We would have liked to see gardens and a cafe, and an off leash dog area would have been a nice touch too. That said, it is a genuinely fun place for kids to ride bikes and scooters, and the paths work well for prams and buggies.
Common questions
Can dogs be off leash at Barry Curtis Park?
No. Dogs must be on leash at all times, there is no off leash area in this park.
Is there a parkrun at Barry Curtis Park?
Yes. A free, weekly 5km parkrun event runs every Saturday at 8am, so expect more people and cars around then.
What are the gate hours?
7am to 6.30pm in winter and 7am to 8.30pm during daylight saving.
Is the playground upgrade finished?
Yes. The destination playground and Wetlands Building upgrade is complete, and it later won the 2026 Playspace of the Year award in the over $500,000 category from Auckland Council.
Is there a cafe at Barry Curtis Park?
No, there is no cafe or gardens on site.
Other walks nearby
Back to Manukau Walks.
