Birkenhead
Heritage Walks
Birkenhead and the surrounding districts have a rich heritage.
On this page, we provide downloads and links to local heritage trails.
The Birkenhead Gateway Trail
This walk is a loop from the Birkenhead Wharf to 184 Hinemoa Street, and includes interesting heritage homes and places with cafes en route!, Click here to download printable .pdf document.
This walk is also included in the Auckland Council's free app, Walk Auckland, available for download from the Google Play Store.
The Cemeteries Trail
Coming Soon
Chelsea Heritage Path
This walk is a 30-minute, fairly easy terrain on formed paths and some grass areas through the Chelsea Estate Heritage Park, with the iconic Chelsea Sugar Refinery.
Click here to go to the Chelsea Heritage Path walk on the Auckland Council website.
You may also be interested in The Original Sugarworkers Walk. Click here to go to the Birkenhead Village website and download the Sugarcube Map.
Highbury History Walk
This walk will take about one hour covering a distance of 3.5 km. There is a steep descent to Chelsea Bay. As the track from Chelsea Bay to Telephone Road is currently inaccessible, you would need to retrace your steps back up Colonial Road. A shorter walk without steep hills is possible by including stops 1-11, 20 and 21.
This walk is included in the Auckland Council's free app, Walk Auckland, available for download from the Google Play Store.
Shepherds Park, Beach Haven
Shepherds Park is a popular walk along boardwalks along the Oruamo/Hellyers Creek. Start near the carpark and children’s playground at 130 Beach Haven Road. Follow the path around the sports fields then into the regenerating bush. Enjoy the lovely views from the lookout over Oruamo/Hellyers Creek. You can just make out Hobsonville Point in the distance. See if you can spot any eels in the creek! At low tide, the mud flats support feeding birds.
Shepherds Park was a working farm. Below are links to excellent booklets produced by the Shepherds Park Management Commitee. These are an excellent resource providing historical information on Maori and early European settlement of the Shepherds Park environs.
Photo: Man & Horse at Hellyers Creek
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 2-V0641
The Original Sugarworkers Walk
New Zealand’s only sugar refinery was built in 1884 and at one point employed nearly all of the Village. The first walks were ‘etched’ out by sugar workers walking home to their cottages after the day's work.
The walk takes around 35-40 mins to complete. Starting from the roundabout (1) wander down Rawene Road. Use the information on the Map to discover the local history and points of interest.
Click here to go to the Birkenhead Village website and download the Sugarcube Map.
The Original Sugarworkers Walk
New Zealand’s only sugar refinery was built in 1884 and at one point employed nearly all of the Village. The first walks were ‘etched’ out by sugar workers walking home to their cottages after the day's work.
The walk takes around 35-40 mins to complete. Starting from the roundabout (1) wander down Rawene Road. Use the information on the Map to discover the local history and points of interest.
Click here to go to the Birkenhead Village website and download the Sugarcube Map.
Hammonds Highbury Heritage Walk
This walk is a 45-minute loop around Birkenhead Village on paved footpaths. It begins at Highbury's oldest Church, Zion Hill. Stroll past Hammond Place, and then on to the historic art deco buildings (1920-1950) located in and around Highbury Corner.
Click here to go to the Birkenhead Village website to view and download the Hammonds Highbury Heritage Walk
