Last updated November 2026
Le Roys Bush and Kauri Glen are two bush reserves close together in Birkenhead and Northcote on Auckland’s North Shore, where tracks wind through native forest with kauri, some of them hundreds of years old.
The Le Roys Bush Path runs from Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay Reserve at Northcote Point up through the valley to Hinemoa Street, opposite the Birkenhead Library, and Auckland Council gives it about 60 minutes.
Nearby, the Kauri Glen Path is a 1.5 km out-and-back walk of about 20 minutes, with a boardwalk that rises 18 m above the ground. Some tracks in Kauri Glen Reserve are closed to prevent the spread of kauri dieback, so check the council’s track map before you go.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check with Auckland Council for updates on Le Roys Bush and Kauri Glen on the day you walk.
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Practical Information
- Start (Le Roys Bush Path)
- Wai Manawa / Little Shoal Bay Reserve, Council Terrace, Northcote Point
- Finish (Le Roys Bush Path)
- Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, opposite the Birkenhead Library and Civic Centre
- Start (Kauri Glen Path)
- Tui Glen Road, Birkenhead
- Distance from the city
- About 5 km from Auckland
- Walking time
- Le Roys Bush Path about 60 minutes; Kauri Glen Path about 20 minutes
- Track length
- Kauri Glen Path 1.5 km out and back
- Surface
- Gravel tracks, steps and boardwalks, some of them narrow
- Dogs
- On a leash in both reserves
- Managed by
- Auckland Council
- Status
- Check Auckland Council’s open and closed tracks map before you go.
About Le Roys Bush and Kauri Glen
Wai Manawa / Le Roys Bush Reserve is a bush reserve that links the Highbury Shopping Centre in Birkenhead with Little Shoal Bay on the harbour. Its tracks are a mix of gravel paths, steps and boardwalks, and the council lists a waterfall, a wetland, the stream and its valley, and big kauri, tōtara and nīkau among the highlights, along with native birdlife.
Walking from the bay, you start on a large, flat seaside reserve with close views of the Auckland Harbour Bridge and finish on Hinemoa Street, where Birkenhead’s shops and cafés are close by and the library balcony looks out to sea.
On Birkenhead Avenue, the Kaimataara ō Wai Manawa viewing platform looks over the reserve to the city and Rangitoto Island.
Kauri Glen Reserve, a short distance away, is known for its mature kauri and tānekaha, some of them thought to be 300 to 400 years old. Its centrepiece is a 60 m boardwalk raised 18 m above the ground on three glulam timber bridges, which gives a view at canopy level and, the council says, reduces the risk of spreading kauri dieback.
Both reserves suit a short walk close to the city, though the steps and narrow boardwalks in Le Roys Bush mean it isn’t a flat stroll.
Protecting the Kauri
Parts of these reserves are closed to help stop the spread of kauri dieback. Stay on the open tracks and use the boot and shoe cleaning stations at the entrances. In Kauri Glen, the council asks you to check which tracks are open before you visit.
The Friends of Le Roys Bush Reserve look after the bush and hold a working bee on Wednesdays from 9am to 11am, if you’d like to help.
Getting There
Le Roys Bush has several entrances. Steps lead down from the path between 133 and 135 Hinemoa Street, and a step-free gravel path starts between 10 and 12 Le Roy Terrace, where the council notes plenty of on-street parking. You can also come in from the end of Glade Place, from Valley Road, or from Little Shoal Bay Reserve.
For Kauri Glen, street parking is limited, so you may have to walk a little way, and the number 25 bus stops on Onewa Road. The nearest toilets to Kauri Glen are at Highbury Birkenhead shopping mall and Te Kaitaka / Greenslade Reserve.
Where to Learn More
Auckland Council: Le Roys Bush Path: the route from Little Shoal Bay to Hinemoa Street, with highlights and dog rules.
Auckland Council: Kauri Glen Reserve: the treetop boardwalk, track closures for kauri dieback, parking and buses.
Auckland Council: Wai Manawa / Le Roys Bush Reserve: entrances, access and reserve rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Le Roys Bush walk take?
Auckland Council gives about 60 minutes for the Le Roys Bush Path from Little Shoal Bay to Hinemoa Street.
How long is the Kauri Glen Path?
It’s a 1.5 km out-and-back walk from Tui Glen Road, taking about 20 minutes.
Where can I check if the track is open?
Check Auckland Council’s open and closed tracks map before you go.
Can I take my dog?
Yes, on a leash. There’s an off-leash area at the Little Shoal Bay end (check the signs there), and dogs aren’t allowed on or near the playground.
Is there a step-free way in?
Yes. The gravel path between 10 and 12 Le Roy Terrace gives step-free access to Le Roys Bush.
What is the Kauri Glen boardwalk?
A 60 m boardwalk that sits 18 m above the ground, giving a canopy-level view of the old kauri.
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Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track line and facts: Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, Outdoor Access Commission, from LINZ and DOC data (CC BY 4.0). Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.