In hindsight, I should have planned this walk a bit better and checked the tides first. Looking at mud flats isn’t the greatest sight along this scenic path, although the many mangroves looked very healthy. It’s an excellent easy walk along The Coastal Walkway, with lovely sea views everywhere. On the same day, I also went to Herald Island and did the loop track there too. It was a short 10 minute drive away.

My Google interactive Map

  • Location: Hobsonville Point, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
  • Time needed: 1.5 hour walk
  • Distance: 5.5 km
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Bikes allowed: Yes
  • Route: Loop
  • Elevation: Flat
  • Wet Feet: No wet feet on this walk, you’ll be high and dry
  • Toilets: There are toilets along the walk
  • Dogs: Yes, on leash only with an off-leash area at Onekiritea Park.
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes, very good
  • Last Walked: June, 2022

I decided to drive out to Hobsonville Point and found a park right outside the Information Centre on Hasting St. There was plenty of parking at the back. Attached to the visitors centre was Catalina Cafe, which of course I stopped in for a great coffee before I started my walk straight out the front door.

Coffee & cake at Catalina Cafe on the Hobsonville Point Park Loop Walk in Auckland by Freewalks.nz
Coffee & cake at Catalina Cafe before setting off on my walk
Information Centre at the beginning of the Hobsonville Point Park Loop Walk in Auckland by Freewalks.nz
Information Centre at the beginning of the Hobsonville Point Park Loop Walk. The staff were very helpful and gave me a great map of the walk. There is plenty of car parking here.
Very start of the Hobsonville Point Park Loop Walk in Auckland by Freewalks.nz
Very start of the Hobsonville Point Park Loop Walk
Seat and great sea views on the Hobsonville Point Park Loop Walk in Auckland by Freewalks.nz
Seat and great sea views on the Hobsonville Point Park Loop Walk
Ferry coming into Hobsonville Point in Auckland by Freewalks.nz
Ferry from downtown Auckland coming into Hobsonville Point. Excellent boardwalk along the waterfront.
Boardwalk with Greenhithe Bridge in the background at Hobsonville Point in Auckland by Freewalks.nz
Boardwalk with Greenhithe Bridge in the background at Hobsonville Point

This walk has something for everybody, whether that’s the coastal views, bush, art, architecture, history, parks for kids and families or interesting food.

Hobsonville Point is an old Air Force community that is now an urban environment that’s worth the drive or the ferry ride! The place is full of new buildings and plenty more are being built. It’s a busy place.

Ferry from downtown Auckland to Hobsonville Point

You can just as easily start this walk straight off the ferry. It also doesn’t matter which way round you choose to walk. The ferry from Auckland CBD disembarks at ‘The Landing’, named as such because it was the launching and landing place for flying boats, including Catalina planes for which Catalina Bay was named. You’ll need to check the ferry timetable from Auckland to Hobsonville Point, especially at the weekends and public holidays as ferries can be limited.

You’ll also find the farmer’s market at Catalina Bay on the weekends. A mixture of artisan foods and live music, it is a perfect place to spend time before or after your walk.

Making your way along the circuit (anti-clockwise), you will walk through native bush and see the skeleton of the old Sunderland hangar. Further on, you will come across Hobsonville Point Park, which is a unique children’s playground: it is made from sustainable sourced materials. 

Artists have been commissioned for all sorts of work along the walk, including sculpture inspired by traditional Māori hīnaki (eel traps).