Last updated October 2026
The Hellyers Creek Path is a coastal loop in Beach Haven on Auckland’s North Shore, starting from Shepherds Park at 120 Beach Haven Road. Auckland Council gives it as 6 km and about 60 minutes, with an undulating route through regenerating bush, some stairs and a few exposed tree roots.
The highlight is a lookout over Oruamo/Hellyers Creek, with Hobsonville Point just visible in the distance. For a shorter outing, a cut-through via Paragon Avenue and Melba Street brings you back to Shepherds Park.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check with Auckland Council for updates on Hellyers Creek Path on the day you walk.
More from Auckland Council
Practical Information
- Start
- Shepherds Park, 120 Beach Haven Road, Beach Haven (near the children’s playground)
- Distance from the city
- About 10 km from Auckland
- Walking time
- About 60 minutes
- Track length
- 6 km
- Terrain
- Undulating, with some stairs and exposed tree roots
- Dogs
- On a leash in council parks unless the dog rules say otherwise; there’s a dog off-leash area near the path
- Facilities
- Toilets (including accessible toilets), drinking fountain, playground, barbecue and picnic tables at Shepherds Park
- Managed by
- Auckland Council
- Status
- Check Auckland Council’s open and closed tracks map before you go.
About Hellyers Creek Path
The walk begins beside the playground in Shepherds Park, a park named after the Shepherd family, who farmed the land for several generations. There’s a fitness trail at the start if you want to fit in a workout before or after your walk.
From the park the path loops past the sports fields and heads into regenerating bush along the edge of Oruamo/Hellyers Creek. The ground rises and falls, with stairs in places and tree roots to step over, so it’s a walk for steady feet rather than a flat stroll.
The lookout over the creek is the place to pause. From here you can just make out Hobsonville Point across the water. Down in the creek, look out for eels, and at low tide the mudflats fill with feeding birds. Freewalks.nz also mentions boardwalk sections that take you right into the mangroves, and warns they can be slippery when wet.
The path then carries on around the coast and comes back out onto Beach Haven Road, making a loop back towards the park.
Shorter Options
If you don’t have a full hour, Auckland Council suggests cutting through Paragon Avenue and Melba Street to return to Shepherds Park.
Freewalks.nz describes a Beach Haven Coastal Walk loop along Hellyers Creek from Shepherds Park of about 4 km, taking about an hour. It says the first kilometre or so suits prams and wheelchairs, so families with a buggy can still enjoy the opening stretch and turn back.
Getting There and Parking
Shepherds Park’s car park is reached from Beach Haven Road, and there are accessible parking spaces in the Melba Street car park.
The council lists the park’s address as 31-35 Cresta Avenue, though the Hellyers Creek Path page gives the walk’s start as 120 Beach Haven Road. The park gates are open from 6am to 8.30pm in summer and 6am to 6.30pm in winter.
Where to Learn More
Auckland Council: Hellyers Creek Path: route, time, start point and the shorter cut-through.
Auckland Council: Shepherds Park: facilities, parking, gate hours and dog rules at the start of the walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Hellyers Creek Path start?
At Shepherds Park, 120 Beach Haven Road, near the children’s playground. The car park is reached from Beach Haven Road.
How long is the walk?
Auckland Council gives it as 6 km and about 60 minutes.
Is there a shorter version?
Yes. Cut through Paragon Avenue and Melba Street to return to Shepherds Park, or try the roughly 4 km loop that freewalks.nz describes.
Is it suitable for prams or wheelchairs?
Only the first kilometre or so, according to freewalks.nz. Beyond that the path is undulating, with stairs and exposed roots.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs must be on a leash in council parks unless the dog rules say otherwise. There’s a dog off-leash area near the path.
Are there toilets?
Yes, at Shepherds Park, including accessible toilets, along with a drinking fountain and playground.
What will I see?
Regenerating bush, mangroves, mudflats with feeding birds at low tide, eels in the creek, and a lookout over Oruamo/Hellyers Creek towards Hobsonville Point.
Where can I check if the track is open?
Check Auckland Council’s open and closed tracks map before you go.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
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.