Coast to Coast Path (City to Pukekawa / Auckland Domain)

Wander from the city to Pukekawa / Auckland Domain. This path is one part of the Coast to Coast Walkway, which takes you from Waitematā Harbour through to Manukau Harbour. The path takes 50 minutes one way, and finishes close to the Grafton Train Station, so you can easily get public transport back to the city or home.

See if you can complete part two (Grafton to Maungakiekie) and part three (Cornwall Park to Manukau Harbour) over the next few weekends.

Start this path on Te Wero Bridge, next to the KZ1 Team New Zealand America's Cup Yacht. Look out across the beautiful Waitematā Harbour as you walk down Quay Street. You'll be able to see the ferries as they come in and out of the harbour.

Cross at the lights by the Downtown Ferry Terminal to get onto Queen Street. Continue down Queen Street before taking a left onto Customs Street East.

Experience the hustle and bustle of downtown Auckland as you move further into the city. Turn onto Emily Place where you’ll pass through Emily Place Reserve, which leads onto Princes Street.

On your right, you'll see Albert Park, the site of an old Māori papakāinga (village). Albert Park is the first of five volcanic fields you will pass if you also walk part two and part three of the Coast to Coast Walkway.

Cut through the University of Auckland campus between Alfred Nathan House and the University Library. Exit the campus on to Alfred Street. This street connects with Grafton Road, which you will follow until you go into Auckland Domain (Pukekawa), the oldest park in Auckland.

Auckland Domain (Pukekawa) will feel like an urban escape as you leave the city and begin walking through native bush.

If you have time, go and see the rare and eye-catching plants in the Wintergardens. The plants are housed in two Victorian-style glasshouses that face out onto a courtyard.

The path ends by Outhwaite Park, close to the Grafton Train Station. Keen explorers can venture into the park and try and spot some of the heritage trees. The Pukekawa Urban Ngahere Path has images and descriptions of these trees to help you find them.