Long Bay on the North Shore Coastal Walk
The North Shore Coastal Walk, also part of Te Araroa, is the main walking track through scenic Long Bay Regional Park, located on the North Shore of Auckland. This walk provides stunning views and a chance to explore diverse landscapes, from beaches to sea cliffs.
Trail Highlights and Route
The walk begins at the south end of Long Bay Beach, where you can enjoy the beautiful sandy beach before the path veers inland, south of the Vaughan Stream. As you ascend the hills behind the sea cliffs, you'll traverse the park's farm section, largely following the cliff tops. This section of the trail offers several excellent viewpoints, including one that provides a sweeping view back down the main beach.
The track extends to the Okura River, marking the end of the North Shore Coastal Walk. For those continuing on Te Araroa, the trail crosses the river and proceeds towards Stillwater, skirting the coast at Karepiro Bay. Along the way, you can access the shoreline at Pohutukawa Bay and return below the cliffs. Alternatively, at low tide, you can walk below the cliffs from the Okura River, offering opportunities to return via the shoreline.
How to Get There
To reach the start of the Long Bay Regional Park, you can walk in from Torbay to the south on the North Shore Coastal Walk or drive and park near the south end of the beach. From Downtown Auckland, take the northern motorway to the Oteha Valley off-ramp. Head northeast on Oteha Valley Road, then cross East Coast Road onto Carlisle Road. Continue on Carlisle Road and veer left onto Firth right, then turn north onto Deep Cove Road. This takes you to Beach Road, which goes into and ends in the regional park. The drive normally takes 26 minutes and is 26 km. Public transport options include buses from central Auckland to Long Bay.
While in the park, you can also check out the Vaughan Homestead and superb Long Bay Nature Trail, an easy loop track with some enormous puriri trees.
