A Hidden Pocket of Native Forest in Auckland
Tucked away beside the Takapuna Cricket Club on Auckland’s North Shore is the peaceful and surprisingly significant Smiths Bush Scenic Reserve.
This small but important remnant of native forest offers a short, accessible boardwalk experience beneath towering trees, a rare opportunity to experience mature bush so close to the city.
A Forest With Deep History
Back in 1849, Alexander Mackay purchased this land from the Crown to establish a small dairy farm. He quickly recognised the value of the mature pūriri forest on the site and protected it by fencing stock out and planting shelter belts around the edges.
This area was once known as Mackay’s Pūriri Bush.
Pūriri is a strong native timber, closely related to teak, and the forest here represents a small remnant of what was once a much larger coastal forest system stretching across Shoal Bay and Takapuna.
Entering the Bush
The entrance is located beside the Takapuna cricket clubrooms within Onewa Domain on Northcote Road.
From here, the boardwalk quickly draws you into the bush canopy; the city fades almost immediately.
One of the highlights is the “Five Sisters,” a group of five pūriri trees that grew from the fallen trunk of a giant ancient tree believed to have come down around 500 years ago.
The loop continues left and takes around 630 metres, returning you to the entrance at roughly 1 kilometre total.
What You’ll See Along the Way
The boardwalk passes through a rich mix of native species, including pūriri, taraire, karaka, māpou, māhoe, kahikatea, mataī, and tōtara.
Ferns are also abundant, including ponga (silver fern), mamaku (black tree fern), and several species of Asplenium and Blechnum.
Some trees are labelled along the route, which adds a nice educational layer to the walk.
Birdlife in the Bush
This small forest remnant supports a surprising range of native birds.
You may hear or see kererū, tūī, pīwakawaka (fantail), riroriro (grey warbler), tauhou (silvereye), and pipiwharauroa (shining cuckoo). In the evening, ruru (morepork) may also be heard.
Accessibility on the Boardwalk
From an accessibility perspective, the boardwalk is approximately 800–1000mm wide.
Unlike some accessible boardwalks, it does not have raised edging along the sides. Raised edging can act as both a visual and tactile guide, helping wheelchair users stay centred on the path, and providing orientation support for blind or low vision visitors using a cane.
Because this edging is not present, wheelchair and mobility device users do need to stay aware, particularly when passing others or navigating narrower sections.
What Makes This Walk Stand Out
It’s worth stepping back and recognising what Smiths Bush actually offers.
We don’t often get boardwalks like this that allow people to move through mature native forest in such an accessible way, especially on Auckland’s North Shore.
While there are design elements that could be improved over time, the ability to experience this living forest remnant at all in a wheelchair-accessible format is what makes this walk so special.
A Small Bush With a Big Impact
Smiths Bush may be small, but it carries a strong sense of history and ecological importance.
It’s an easy walk to return to, a peaceful escape from the surrounding suburb, and one of those places that quietly reminds you how much native forest once shaped this landscape.
QUICK FACTS (Accessibility & Walk Summary)
Location: Onewa Domain, Northcote Road, North Shore, Auckland
Walk Type: Elevated boardwalk loop
Distance: Approx. 630m loop (about 1km return)
Surface: Timber boardwalk
Width: Approx. 800–1000mm
Gradient: Flat / gently undulating
Mobility Access: Wheelchair accessible (with awareness needed due to no raised edging)
Toilets: Not on-site (check nearby parks)
Parking: Nearby sealed parking with mobility spaces available
Best Feature: Mature native forest canopy experience
Dogs: On leash required (signage at entrance)