Starts at 713 Whangaparāoa Road, Arkles Bay
Walk from Whangaparāoa town centre to Stanmore Bay Beach, via the peaceful Rata Road walkway.
The path is mostly paved, with small sections of gravel and boardwalk. You can do the walk with a pram, but be prepared for a fairly steep section between Whangaparāoa town centre and Rata Road Reserve. There are a few roads to cross, but the busy ones have pedestrian crossings.
Start at Whangaparāoa Library and check out the colourful artwork "Flora" (2013, Jeff Thomson) on the building facade facing Whangaparāoa Road. If you have little ones with you, the library has some great indoor and outdoor common spaces to relax with a book.
Cross Whangaparāoa Road at the lights, and follow the gravel path downhill past Whangaparāoa College, keeping to the left of the school grounds. There are great views over the Whangaparāoa Peninsula and stunning coastline.
Continue downhill until you emerge at Rata Road - it's steep in places. Turn right, walk along the footpath until the end of Rata Road then follow the signs to enter the path.
The Rata Road walkway crosses a few bridges and is fairly flat the rest of the way. Keep an eye out for pūkeko in the wetlands and ducks in the large pond.
You'll pass through Stanmore Bay Park, which features a beach volleyball court and small toddlers playground. Children and younger teens will love playing in the splash pad at Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre (open in summer, entry is free).
Cross Brightside Road at the pedestrian crossing and make your way past the sports fields to Stanmore Bay Park and beach.
Enjoy a swim at the popular beach, picnic under the shady trees or make a beeline for the children's playground. The beachfront playground is a favourite with local families and features a flying fox, large climbing web, rope log swing and a separate toddlers play area.
Public toilets are available at the library and Stanmore Bay Beach.
The walkway becomes very busy with schoolchildren from Whangaparāoa College around school start and finish times, so consider this when timing your walk.
