The Grafton Gully Cycleway is a short, almost entirely off-road urban cycle path running from Upper Queen Street in Auckland’s central city through the Grafton motorway gully to Beach Road near the Britomart transport hub. At around 1.6–1.9km, it’s not a long ride on its own — but it’s a key link in the city’s cycling network, providing a protected route through a section of the city that would otherwise mean riding alongside heavy motorway traffic. It connects with the Northwestern Cycleway at the city end, making it a practical daily commute route for cyclists coming in from the west.
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~1.6–1.9km |
| Difficulty | Easy — flat, off-road concrete path |
| Start | Upper Queen Street, central Auckland CBD |
| Finish | Beach Road / Stanley Street, near Britomart |
| Surface | Concrete shared path, 3–4 metres wide |
| Opened | September 2014 |
| Connection | Northwestern Cycleway (city end); Tāmaki Drive waterfront (Beach Road end) |
| Suitable for | Commuter cyclists, all ages; shared with pedestrians |
About the Path
The Grafton Gully Cycleway was opened in September 2014 as an extension of the Northwestern Cycleway — completing a protected off-road cycling connection from the suburbs of West Auckland all the way through to the CBD waterfront. Before it existed, cyclists coming in from the Northwestern Cycleway faced the choice of navigating busy inner-city roads or following on-road lanes through high-traffic corridors. The gully path changed that.
The path follows the general alignment of State Highway 16 through the Grafton motorway gully — running alongside the motorway corridor but screened from it by vegetation and earthworks. It’s a 3–4 metre wide concrete shared path, meaning cyclists and pedestrians use it together, though in practice it’s primarily used by commuter cyclists. The surroundings are surprisingly green given the urban location — the gully has native planting alongside the path, and the experience is noticeably more pleasant than riding through the adjacent road network.
For leisure cyclists, the Grafton Gully path is most useful as a connector rather than a destination in itself. It links the city’s western suburbs — via the Northwestern Cycleway through Kingsland, Newton, and Morningside — directly to the Beach Road / Britomart area, from where riders can join Tāmaki Drive and the eastern waterfront. Used this way, it’s part of one of Auckland’s most complete cycling corridors: west to east across the central city without significant on-road exposure.
What Visitors Say
“I use the Grafton Gully path every day to commute into the CBD. It’s quick, quiet, and keeps you off the main roads at the busiest part of the route. The connection to the Northwestern at one end and Beach Road at the other makes the whole thing work.”
— Greater Auckland reader comment
“Surprised by how pleasant it is given it’s right next to the motorway. The native planting makes a real difference. Short path but it solves a gap in the network that was genuinely awkward before.”
— Metro Magazine, Auckland cycling routes
Where to Learn More
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency — Grafton Gully Cycleway
Official project page from the agency that built and manages the cycleway, with route details and background on the project.
Greater Auckland — The Completed Grafton Gully Cycleway
Analysis and overview of the cycleway at opening — useful background on how the path fits into Auckland’s cycling network.
Auckland Transport — AT Cycleways
Auckland Transport’s cycleway network overview, showing how the Grafton Gully path connects to the wider cycling network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Grafton Gully Cycleway off-road the whole way?
Almost entirely — it’s a dedicated concrete shared path through the motorway gully corridor. There are short on-road sections at each end to connect with the wider street network.
Is it safe at night?
The path is lit, but as with any urban path, take usual precautions at night. During morning and afternoon peak times it’s busy with commuter cyclists.
Where does it connect to the Northwestern Cycleway?
At the Upper Queen Street end. The Northwestern Cycleway continues west from there through Kingsland, Morningside, and beyond — one of Auckland’s longest off-road cycling corridors.
Can I use this to reach Tāmaki Drive?
Yes — exit at Beach Road and ride east along the waterfront to pick up Tāmaki Drive toward Mission Bay and St Heliers. It’s a practical connection between the west and the eastern waterfront.
Is the path shared with pedestrians?
Yes — it’s a shared path. Cyclists should give way to pedestrians and ride at an appropriate speed, particularly at peak commute times when the path can be busy.
Is this worth visiting as a leisure ride?
On its own, it’s too short for a leisure outing. As part of a longer route — Western Springs or Point Chevalier via the Northwestern Cycleway through to Britomart and then Tāmaki Drive — it’s a useful and pleasant segment.
Are there bike hire options nearby?
Several bike hire and e-scooter providers operate in central Auckland near the Beach Road end of the path. Check Auckland Transport’s current provider list for options.
To extend this route, pick up the Auckland waterfront ride from Westhaven to St Heliers at the Beach Road end. All Auckland cycling is listed on the Cycling Tracks in Auckland hub.