This article is a recommendation of a place for kids and beginners to ride a bike safely, from a Bike Auckland volunteer. Last updated October 2020.
The Westhaven Boardwalk is a great place for an easy, flat ride for little riders, with plenty of places to park, many toilets and a selection of cafés as well!
We like to start at the Harbour Bridge end, and when arriving by car, almost always find a spot to park close to Buoy Cafe. If that’s all full, there’s plenty of parking just a little way around towards the city (see the map below – the parking is around the “You are here” sign).
The path starts as a completely off-road boardwalk, very wide and plenty of space for all.
Then it turns into a shared path alongside Westhaven Drive.
Its a good width, and the speed limit for the road is 30 kph, so it feels safe even for pre-schoolers. There are driveways along here and the next section of shared path to keep an eye out for.
Then its off-road again, at the tiny Westhaven Beach where the next section of boardwalk starts.
There is lots of see and do along here, with trees to climb, seats to enjoy, interesting art embedded in the concrete path and old buoys to climb. Along the entire boardwalk there are a number of signs with interesting information as well.
After the second section of boardwalk, it’s back to a shared path that takes you to Jacob’s Ladder (the pedestrian overbridge across the motorway), Swashbucklers restaurant (which is a destination in itself with an array of aquariums and other interesting items), and a couple of cafes overlooking the water across the carpark (this carpark is a pay & display).
Then it’s back the way you came, checking out all the boats again as you head back, till you’re back to the Harbour Bridge end.
A fun outing for those who like boats as much as bikes – and you can tell your kids that one day, they’ll be able to bike over that bridge!
You can find other places that are suitable for kids and beginners to ride bikes, as recommended by Bike Auckland volunteers at the link below:
https://www.bikeauckland.org.nz/rides-for-kids/
Ride details
Suitable for
- Learner (balance bike, trainer wheels)
- Confident child (pedal bike - no trainer wheels)
- Scooter
- Adults
Time
1 hour
Steep sections
None
Infrastructure
Amenities
- Toilets
Parking
There are lots of carparks off Westhaven Drive - by Buoy Cafe close to under the Harbour Bridge, in one of the Westhaven Marina carparks (check you're in right type of parking space) and near Swashbucklers restaurant (this one is pay & display).
Other
Cafes at both ends of the ride
Location
Area
North Auckland
Getting there
- Bike
- Drive
Weather dependent
No
Kids visible at all times?
No
Outing type
Great for when you're looking for an easy ride and cafes on hand for food and coffees.
Suitable for multiple kids
No
Watch out for
Commuters on bikes who are often whizzing along at high speed! Everyone is friendly, just can get busy at commuting times and lunch time.
Map marker
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