Le Roy's Bush is a reserve in Birkenhead on the North Shore in Auckland.
Right in the heart of the city, you would never know this gem is here.
I regularly go for a walk through Le Roy's after work, finding a sense of calm in nature.
Just a short 15 minute walk soothes me.
It feels like being miles from the city!
I decided it was worth sharing about.
Where Is Le Roy's Bush?
Le Roy's Bush is located between Hinemoa Street and Onewa Road in Birkenhead.
Click here for a digital map of Le Roys Bush.
The bush can be accessed from Little Shoal Bay and from the surrounding streets.
If you're visiting for the first time, I suggest parking at Little Shoal Bay and entering from the car park. However, it doesn't really matter as all entrances lead into the bush!
The longest possible track from Little Shoal Bay to Hinemoa Street would be about 20-25 minutes walking. If you were coming back the same way, then it would be about 45 minutes.
The path winds through beautiful native bush and has a little stream running through it. During heavy rainfall that little stream becomes quite fast flowing!!
Most of the path is boardwalk, making it an easy walk.
There are many native birds tweeting and flying through the bush.
Today I saw a Wood Pigeon.
The path did go all the way up to the Birkenhead shops. However, during the 2023 January floods, part of the track was destroyed and is currently inaccessible. However, the rest of the path is open.
As you are walking through the bush you can exit via Glade Place or further up the valley onto Le Roy's Terrace / Hinemoa Street.
Walking further up the valley gives you an extra 5-10 minute walk and you can see tall Kauri trees rising high into the sky.
I love looking at the strong uprightness of the Kauri.
Even though many residential houses back onto the reserve they are hidden by the dense bush.
It's like being in a mini-oasis.
The path exits into the residential area of Le Roy's Terrace or Hinemoa Street. From here you could do the same walk in reverse or you could walk along Hinemoa Street and come down Maritime Terrace back to Little Shoal Bay, which is also a nice walk.
After the walk, you could treat yourself to a coffee ☕ in one of the very good cafes on Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead!
More information on Le Roys Bush Reserve is available on the Kaipatiki website by clicking here.
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