The stretch of Tāmaki Drive between Mission Bay and St Heliers is the most relaxed section of Auckland’s eastern coastal corridor — a 3.5km ride or walk between two popular beach suburbs, with Rangitoto Island sitting across the water and the suburbs of Kohimarama and St Heliers bookending the route. It’s a shared path popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists, and one of the best short waterfront outings in the city when you want a beach stop rather than a distance ride.
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~3.5km one-way (Mission Bay to St Heliers) |
| Difficulty | Easy — flat shared path and footpath |
| Start | Mission Bay beachfront, Tāmaki Drive |
| Finish | St Heliers Bay, St Heliers Bay Road |
| Surface | Sealed shared path with cycle lane on road in sections |
| Beaches en route | Mission Bay, Kohimarama, St Heliers |
| Toilets | Mission Bay, Kohimarama, St Heliers |
| Cafés | Mission Bay (several), St Heliers village |
| Parking | Mission Bay carpark (can fill on weekends); street parking in St Heliers |
About the Walk and Ride
Starting from the Mission Bay beachfront — with its fountain, palm trees, and busy café strip — the route heads east along Tāmaki Drive, hugging the coastline with views across to Rangitoto Island. Mission Bay itself is the most lively stop on the route: a proper swimming beach with lifeguards in summer, a children’s playground, and multiple cafés and ice cream shops along the beachfront. It’s the most popular beach on this coastline and can be busy on summer weekends.
Continuing east, the path passes through Kohimarama — a noticeably quieter, more neighbourhood-feeling beach suburb. The Kohimarama Yacht Club sits at the water’s edge, and the beach here tends to attract a local crowd rather than day-trippers. It’s a good swimming spot with calmer conditions and a more relaxed atmosphere than Mission Bay. A couple of neighbourhood cafés are close by if you want a coffee mid-route.
The section finishes at St Heliers Bay — a small, sheltered beach with a grassy reserve and the St Heliers village café strip a short walk back from the waterfront. The village has a good selection of lunch and coffee options, making it a natural turnaround point before heading back to Mission Bay. The return walk or ride takes in the same coastal views, but with Rangitoto now ahead of you rather than to the side.
Along the Way
| Stop | What’s There |
|---|---|
| Mission Bay | Main swimming beach, fountain, cafés, playground — the busy social hub |
| Kohimarama | Quieter local beach, yacht club, good swimming, neighbourhood cafés |
| St Heliers Bay | Sheltered bay, grassy reserve, village café strip — natural endpoint |
What Visitors Say
“Parked at Mission Bay, walked to St Heliers and back with the kids. The whole thing is easy, flat, and the views of Rangitoto are constant the whole way. Kohimarama is the underrated stop — much quieter than Mission Bay. Will definitely do this again.”
— TripAdvisor review, Tāmaki Drive
“Cycled it early on a Saturday morning before the crowds arrived at Mission Bay. Perfect flat ride with a coffee stop at St Heliers before turning back. Rangitoto in the morning light is something else.”
— AllTrails review, Tāmaki Drive Cycleway
Where to Learn More
New Zealand Tourism — Tāmaki Drive & Eastern Beaches
Overview of Tāmaki Drive’s beaches, character, and what to do along the coastal route from the CBD to St Heliers.
Auckland NZ — Best Cycle Tracks and Trails
Auckland’s official tourism guide to cycling routes including Tāmaki Drive, with practical visitor information.
TripAdvisor — Tāmaki Drive
Visitor reviews of Tāmaki Drive covering experiences on the coastal walk and cycle route between Mission Bay and St Heliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Mission Bay to St Heliers?
Approximately 3.5km one-way, making it a 7km return trip. Allow 45–60 minutes walking each way, or 20–25 minutes cycling.
Can I swim at all three beaches?
Yes — Mission Bay, Kohimarama, and St Heliers Bay all have swimming beaches. Mission Bay has lifeguards in summer. Water quality is generally good but check Auckland Council’s water quality monitoring for current conditions.
Is this route suitable for young children?
Yes — it’s flat, easy, and passes three beaches with toilet facilities. Mission Bay has a playground. The main consideration for cycling is that parts of the route share road space with traffic, so younger children should ride with adult supervision.
Which is the best beach to stop at?
Mission Bay is the busiest and has the best facilities. Kohimarama is the quietest and best for a relaxed swim. St Heliers has the most sheltered bay and is best for a café stop.
Where should I park?
Mission Bay has a carpark (can fill quickly on summer weekends — arrive early). Street parking is also available along Tāmaki Drive. St Heliers has easier parking if you want to start from the quieter end.
Can I extend this route further?
Yes — heading west from Mission Bay, Tāmaki Drive continues to Ōrākei, Okahu Bay, and then to the CBD waterfront. The full route from Quay Street to St Heliers is approximately 9.6km one-way.
Is there a bus back if I don’t want to return on foot?
Yes — several bus routes run along Tāmaki Drive. Check Auckland Transport’s Journey Planner for current routes and timetables from St Heliers back toward the CBD or Mission Bay.
For the full Tāmaki Drive cycling route from Quay Street to St Heliers, see cycling Tāmaki Drive and the Eastern Bays. All Auckland cycling routes are on the Cycling Tracks in Auckland hub.