Welcome to Auckland City – Nau Mai ki Tāmaki Makaurau
Auckland City, also known as the city of sails, surrounded by two large harbors on the North Island of New Zealand you will find about 1.5 million people call Auckland home. Even though Auckland is a big city, unlike many cities, you can easily get amongst nature and enjoy this magnificent city for Free. I called Auckland my home until 2005. Hence I am very proud and very biased. hehe
Many visitors to Auckland make a mistake of thinking Auckland is a concrete jungle, crazy busy, rat race, etc., so they don’t spend any time in Auckland, they use this as a stopover and miss out of all the amazing things Auckland has to offer. I am inviting you to join me and let me show you around Auckland City.
Let’s get started
First Stop – 🙂
MISSION BAY AND ST HELIERS – AUCKLAND CITY
These are two of my favorite beaches, a vibrant beachfront, enjoy the cafe culture, every time I visit I have to stop over at Starbucks for my favorite – Chai Latte. Relax on the beach, walk, swim (water temperatures are a bit challenging outside the summer months, well it is challenging for me even during summer months) – I will leave it for you to decide 🙂
Next Stop – 🙂 not far from Mission Bay
MICHAEL JOSEPH SAVAGE MEMORIAL PARK – AUCKLAND CITY
You will find this park just off Tamaki Drive, near Mission Bay. This park holds fond memories for me. I have enjoyed many family picnics and running after butterflies here. The whole 49 hectares of land offers impressive views of Waitemata harbor and Rangitoto Island.
Third Stop – 🙂 in Parnel
DOVE MYER ROBINSON PARK – AUCKLAND CITY
Also, know as Parnel Rose gardens. Walking through these beautiful colors, taking in the fragrance and admiring the nature and flowers. There are a few different walking tracks that you can enjoy. Or you can just do what I do, sit and admire the roses, after taking millions of photos.
Next Stop – 🙂 Downtown
CIRCULAR KEY AND VIADUCT HARBOUR – AUCKLAND CITY
Circular key and viaduct are known as the entertainment hub: The home of one of New Zealand’s greatest yachting and sporting achievements The Americas Cup. Full of cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops. You can indulge in a nice lunch overlooking the water, or you can wander around taking in the high energy vibes.
Next stop -:) Northshore
DEVONPORT – AUCKLAND CITY
Best way to get to Devonport, in my opinion, is hop aboard the ferry at downtown Auckland and in less than 15 mins you will be in Devonport. Enjoy the ferry ride and see the City from the water. Devonport is known for its cafe culture, pristine beachfront but my favorite is the underground tunnels. You have to explore these tunnels, gun emplacements, and fortifications at the North Heads. Take time to enjoy the 360-degree views over the Hauraki Gulf.
Next Stop – 🙂 Grafton
AUCKLAND DOMAIN AND WINTER GARDENS – AUCKLAND CITY
This is the oldest and largest park in the City, established in the 1880s. This park occupies 75 hectares of land with an awesome duck pond, winter gardens, and native forest. Enjoy the whole day with family, friends or just on your lonesome. I love wandering around the gardens, walking the trails and feeding the ducks. Back in Uni days, this was my place to go for a little RandR or a hot date hehe.
Next Stop – 🙂
MOUNT EDEN – AUCKLAND CITY
Just 5km from downtown Auckland you will find the highest volcano in Auckland – Mt Eden. The adventurous can walk up this 4.8 km track to the top, from the base to the top is only 196 meters. No big deal right? If you said – yea right, no way, you can drive up, park about 7/8 of the way and walk for 8 to 10 minutes to get to the lookout. The city views will leave you speechless.
Next stop – 🙂 – in Greenlane
ONE TREE HILL AND CROMWELL PARK – AUCKLAND CITY
Best time to visit is at Sunset, I love watching the sunset on the horizon, and the city of sails comes to life. It is almost time watching the magic of natural light and the bling of man-made lights entertaining me. Allow yourself time to enjoy Cromwell park. There are heaps of tracks for hikers and people who love to be active.
Next stop – 🙂 South Auckland
HUNUA RANGES REGIONAL PARK – AUCKLAND CITY
The Hunua falls are on the Wairoa River. You will love this park. You can easily spend the whole day here, take a picnic, explore the pristine native forest on foot, admire the beautiful Hunua falls and swim in the swimming hole. Relax and take in the energizing vibes from the nature surrounding you. As teenagers, we used to jump off the top of the waterfall into the swimming hole- man that was fun. Please don’t do that – I am sure you are NOT allowed to do that anymore.
last but not least – 🙂 Mangere
VILLA MARIA VINEYARD
One of my all-time favorite wines is Villa Maria. Every time I open a bottle of Villa Maria, I remember home and fun times with family. The best thing about this it is one of New Zealand’s largest and most loved family-owned wineries. The vineyard is like a little hidden treasure in Mangere waiting for you to find it. Not far from the Auckland International Airport this can be your last stop before you leave the City of Sails. You can take a tour of the Vineyard, do some wine tasting and have a nice lunch at a cost or you can just wander around and taking in the atmosphere.
#Travelquote: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”― Mark Twain
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