Grafton Valley: A Hidden Green Walk in Central Auckland

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Surrounded by lush green trees and less than 15 mins away from the office
blocks, Grafton Valley is one of Auckland’s best-kept secrets. Tucked right in the
heart of Auckland CBD and nestled within Symonds Street Cemetery, one of the oldest cemeteries in Auckland, most people rush past it every day, on the southern motorway or bus across Grafton Bridge, unaware of the peaceful escape beneath them.

A winding dirt path through a dense, lush green forest or native bush.
Grafton Valley Walkway

The valley can be accessed from Symonds St by the motorway ramp or from. St. Martins Lane. It is easy to reach by public transport, with plenty of buses running from Waitematā (formerly Britomart) and Newmarket, as the area is part of Auckland Transport’s Central Connector.

If you enter through the Symonds Street entrance by the motorway ramp, you will come across the grave of William Hobson, the first Governor of New Zealand. From there, the walk continues gently through the cemetery and surrounding trees, where calm is occasionally broken by the distant hum of traffic.

New Zealand National Symbol: Koru

Along the path, you may spot native Koru unfurling in the undergrowth. The area is rich in history, with highlights including Symonds Street Cemetery and the Grafton Bridge. The walk is calm, easy and family-friendly, combining both nature and heritage in a way that feels uniquely Auckland. As you wander through the Grafton valley, you can reach out and touch the historic arch of Grafton Bridge as you walk beneath it, offering a tangible connection to the city’s engineering history.

Gravel path passing underneath massive concrete bridge supports covered in graffiti, surrounded by lush green foliage
Walking past the concrete canopy of the Grafton Bridge

Grafton Valley was once the forested valley carved by the Waiparuru Stream, which divided the upper parts of Auckland, until the first walking bridge was built in 1884. The reinforced concrete arch that we see today was completed in 1910. At the time, the Grafton was the largest reinforced concrete arch bridge in the world. It was a pioneering structure and a significant engineering achievement. The main arch spans 87.6 meters (320 feet). It was the largest of its kind in the world.

View from a dense forest looking up at a large concrete bridge spanning a valley, with a modern building visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
Looking at the complete span of the Grafton Bridge from the valley

Arthur Myers, then the Mayor of Auckland who pushed the construction of Grafton Bridge, which was built during his term. At that time, some people called it “Myers Folly” because they thought it was too costly. Myers had predicted that Auckland’s population would grow, and he was right. Sometimes the best lessons in marketing come from unexpected places. This beautiful gem shows how vision, planning and attention overlooked the details to create a lasting impact. Just as Arthur Myers looked ahead to the future of Auckland, digital marketers must anticipate trends and plan for growth. Small, overlooked opportunities like a hidden city walk can offer big returns when discovered and promoted. Staying curious, observant and forward-focused is the key to success in any field.


A view beneath a large concrete overpass, showing several old, weathered gravestones surrounded by grass and a large, gnarled tree trunk

Today, the bridge is recognised as an important achievement, completed in 1910. This is something we should learn from the visionary leaders; people thought the bridge was too expensive, but he had big ideas. He even planned for four lanes which didn’t happen. But thinking ahead is something we can all learn from even today.


Low-angle shot looking straight up at the underside of a large, geometric concrete bridge structure, framed by dense green foliage and trees on either side."
From below the bridge, looking up the curve of the Grafton Bridge

 

From the valley, you can look up at the elegant curves and imagine the generations of Aucklanders who have crossed it, unaware of the quiet green space below and admire the beautiful engineering marvel.

 

Symonds Street Cemetery and Grafton Gully are beautiful inner-city green haven and home to a variety of plants and animals. The gully is an important urban forest, featuring exotic deciduous trees and native species. Many graves are also surrounded by heritage roses.

 

If you need a break from the office hustle and bustle, you can catch a bus to Grafton Gully in Auckland for a short walk through peaceful greenery, historic sites, and a refreshing escape in the heart of the city.


References:

  1. Karangahape Road. (n.d.). Grafton Bridge. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://www.karangahaperoad.com/grafton-bridge

  2. Stqry. (n.d.). Grafton Bridge history list. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://ssc.stqry.app/en/list/2989

  3. Stqry. (n.d.). Another Grafton site list. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://ssc.stqry.app/en/1/list/2987

  4. Te Ara. (1966). Hobson, William. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/hobson-william

  5. Village Square. (n.d.). Grafton history. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://villagesquare.org.nz/hw-grafton


Location: Grafton Bridge, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

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