Keen walker David Mallowes offers suggestions about fun and interesting routes people can take to get some exercise and enjoy the area in his new column.
We’re very fortunate in east Auckland to have this peninsula with well-maintained beaches, coastal walks, and panoramic views of the Waitemata and Hauraki Gulf islands.
The eastern side of Musick Point has extraordinarily interesting geology, well worth reading up on before a walk, and there’s significant Māori history of being a pa site until 1821.
Eastern Beach is a popular, attractive, sandy and safe swimming beach with shade trees, free barbecues and cafes.
Bucklands Beach has cafes, toilets and an excellent boardwalk from Little Bucklands Beach to Half Moon Bay Marina. The views from Musick Point are stunningly beautiful.
Walking – coastal walking within 1.5 hours of high tide. Check tide times first.
On a sunny day, slippery areas dry out quickly and are less hazardous.
There’s a two-metre high sandstone slope with rough steps to negotiate. It’s easiest approaching from the Eastern Beach side and children usually find it easy.
The western side is an easy walk but be wary of slippery clay under the usually shallow mud.
- For a short easy pushchair walk, drive to the carpark at the top of Musick Point and walk back along the access road. Awesome views in all directions.
- 4.5km – a coastal loop walk – start from Eastern Beach near Rogers Park, continue up around the point, back to Hattaway Avenue and return.
- 7km – a bit more adventurous, start from the dairy at the corner of Eastern Beach Road, coastline around the point, along Bucklands Beach and back up and over the peninsula.
- 12km – one of our favourite walks – start from the southern end of Eastern Beach, follow the beach to and around the peninsula, along Bucklands beaches and the boardwalk to the marina, visit Kaniere Park and up and over the peninsula, choose the shaded zigzag track back down through Macleans Park to Eastern Beach.
I’ve uploaded many photos and a printable map with cafes, toilets, playgrounds, marked, and suggested walking options to https:/www.facebook.com/walksouteastauckland.
Also to an Alltrails map, see the link below. Enjoy!
Like to walk with others? Visit the meetup.com website, search for walking or hiking in the Auckland area.
A friendly group that welcomes new walkers and walks for 3 to 4 hours at a moderate speed is Intrepid Auckland Walking Adventures, there are many others.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/musick-pt-eastern-beach-half-moon-bay-macleans-1d936da
