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You can get around city center and the suburbs close to the harbor like Ponsonby, Devonport, and Parnell, on foot, by bus, and by ferry. Elsewhere, Auckland is not as easy to explore. The neighborhoods and suburbs sprawl from the Waitemata and Manukau harbors to rural areas, and complicated roads, frequent construction, and heav
You can get around city center and the suburbs close to the harbor like Ponsonby, Devonport, and Parnell, on foot, by bus, and by ferry. Elsewhere, Auckland is not as easy to explore. The neighborhoods and suburbs sprawl from the Waitemata and Manukau harbors to rural a
You can get around city center and the suburbs close to the harbor like Ponsonby, Devonport, and Parnell, on foot, by bu
You can get around city center and the suburbs close to the harbor like Ponsonby, Devonport, and Parnell, on foot, by bus, and by ferry. Elsewhere, Auckland is not as easy to explore. The neighborhoods and suburbs sprawl from the Waitemata and Manukau harbors to rural areas, and complicated roads, frequent construction, and heavy traffic can make road travel a challenge. Still it's best to have a car for getting between neighborhoods and some city center sights. What might look like an easy walking distance on a map can turn out to be a 20- to 30-minute hilly trek, and stringing a few of those together can get frustrating.
If you're nervous about driving on the left, especially when you first arrive, purchase a one-day Link Bus Pass that covers the inner-city neighborhoods and central business district (CBD) or, for a circuit of the main sights, a Discovery Pass. Take a bus to get acquainted with the city layout. Getting around Auckland by bus is easy and inexpensive. The region's bus services are coordinated through the Auckland Transport. You can buy electronic Hop cards which can be used on buses, trains and ferries and its website can provide door-to-door information, including bus route numbers, to most places in the greater Auckland area. Timetables are available at most information centers.
These 15 acres of formal gardens contain a mix of established and seasonal plantings, a fountain, and statue- and sculpture-studded lawns. They are a favorite of Aucklanders, who pour out of nearby office buildings and two adjacent universities to eat lunch and lounge under trees on sunny days. Good cafés at the universities serve well-priced takeout food and coffee. The park is built on the site of an 1840s–50s garrison, which kept settlers apart from neighboring Māori tribes. On the park's east side, behind Auckland University's general library, are remnants of stone walls with rifle slits. The park is home to festivals throughout the summer and the Auckland Art Gallery is on its edge.
Bounded by Wellesley St. W., Kitchener St., Waterloo Quad, Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Saturday cricketers, Sunday picnickers, and any-day runners are some of the Aucklanders who enjoy this rolling, 340-acre park—not to mention loads of walkers, often with dogs. Running trails range from easy to challenging, and organized 10-km (6-mile) runs occur throughout the year. The Domain contains some magnificent sculpture as well as the domed Wintergardens (open daily 10–4), which houses tropical and seasonally displayed hothouse plants. In summer, watch the local paper for free weekend-evening concerts, which usually include opera and fireworks. There are superb views of the city and harbor from the top of the park. Take a bottle of wine and a basket of goodies and join the locals—up to 300,000 per show. While the Domain is safe during the day it is not a place to be at night unless you're there for a concert with a big crowd.
Entrances at Stanley St., Park Rd., Carlton Gore Rd., and Maunsell Rd., Auckland, Auckland, 1052, New Zealand
Film buffs will recognize KareKare and its black sand from the dramatic opening scenes of The Piano. Its size means you will never feel hemmed in, even in the peak summer months when it attracts big visitor numbers despite the steep road access. You'll need to pack a lunch as there are no shops. The pounding waves make for great swimming and surfing, but again, go in only when the surf patrol is operating as there are strong rips and undertows. Fit walkers should explore the southern end of the beach. You can venture past the point but only go at low tide because getting back is difficult when the tide comes in. The sunsets are spectacular anytime of year. Amenities: lifeguards in summer; parking (free); toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.
KareKare Rd., Auckland, Auckland, 0772, New Zealand
About 10 minutes' drive from the central city, Mission Bay off Tamaki Drive draws the crowds year-round and summertime can see families and community groups from all of Auckland picnicking side by side. Dining options run the gamut from fast food to formal-ish restaurants. Three extremely good ice cream parlors and an abundance of good coffee round out the culinary options, and it's not uncommon to see long lines at each joint and then people eating sitting on the seawall. Be aware though it can get very busy in summer and finding a place to park can be a nightmare. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming.
Long before European settlement, this ancient volcano was the site of a Māori pā (fortified village) of the local Kawerau tribe. On the northern and eastern flanks of the hill you can still see traces of the terraces once protected by palisades of sharpened stakes. Don't be put off by its name—this is more molehill than mountain. The climb is easy and the views are outstanding. Mt. Victoria is signposted on Victoria Road, a few minutes' walk from the Esplanade Hotel.
The black sand of Muriwai Beach is a must for those exploring the West Coast. Combine a trip here with a visit to any of the many wineries in the area. The beach is great for surfing, kitesurfing, walking, and swimming, but don't venture into the water if the surf patrol is not operating, and always swim between the red and yellow flags. It is a great spot for a long walk and in summer it draws huge crowds. In winter you may be accompanied by wild winds, but it's still enjoyable if you're warmly dressed. Alternatively, get up-close-and-personal with the local gannet colony from the DOC viewing platforms; you can see the chicks in December and January. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards in summer; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.
Motutara Rd., Auckland, Auckland, 0881, New Zealand
Jutting out from Devonport into Auckland's harbor, the position of an ancient Māori defense site was enough to convince European settlers that they, too, should use North Head for strategic purposes. Rumor has it that veteran aircraft are still stored in the dark, twisting tunnels under the Head, but plenty of curious explorers have not found any. You can still get into most tunnels (they're safe), climb all over the abandoned antiaircraft guns, and get great views of Auckland and the islands to the east. It's one of the best places to watch yacht racing on the harbor. North Head is a 20-minute walk east of the ferry terminal on King Edward Parade, left onto Cheltenham Street, and then out Takarunga Road. The visitor information center can say when the local folk-music club will have events in one of the old bunkers.
Takarunga Rd., Devonport, Auckland, 0624, New Zealand
The largest of Auckland's extinct volcanoes and one of the best lookout points, One Tree Hill, or Maungakiekie, was the site of three Māori pā (fortifications). It used to have a single pine tree on its summit, but that was attacked several times by activists who saw it as a symbol of colonialism, and in 2000 it was taken down. Sir John Logan Campbell, the European founding father of the city, is buried on the summit. There is fantastic walking and running in the surrounding acreage known as Cornwall Park, with avenues of oaks, a kauri plantation, and an old olive grove. Or just take a mat and read under an old tree. Free electric barbecue sites are also available. Because the park is a working farm of sheep and cattle, you'll need to be wary of cows with their calves along the paths. There's also a cricket club with old-style seating, where you can watch a game in summer, and a pavilion where you can buy refreshments.
Greenlane Rd. W, Auckland, Auckland, 1051, New Zealand
This Gothic Revival wooden church was built in 1886 by the early Anglican missionary Bishop Selwyn. The craftsmanship inside the kauri church is remarkable, down to the hand-finished columns. One of the carpenters left his trademark, an owl, sitting in the beams to the right of the pulpit. If you stand in the pulpit and clasp the lectern, you'll feel something lumpy under your left hand—a mouse, the trademark of another of the craftsmen who made the lectern, the so-called Mouse Man of Kilburn. The story of the church's relocation is also remarkable. St. Mary's originally stood on the other side of Parnell Road, and in 1982 the entire structure was moved across the street to be next to the new church, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.
Parnell Rd. and St. Stephen's Ave., Auckland, Auckland, 1052, New Zealand
You'll see some of New Zealand's most expensive houses along Takapuna Beach on Auckland's North Shore. If architecture (or being nosey) isn't your thing, it's a safe swimming beach in summer and there are many picnic areas, but be sure to check the water quality signs at its entrances first; after heavy rains, the water can be polluted with rain run-off. It's good for walking and in the mornings and evenings it's where the well-sneakered walk their pooches. Sailors, kayakers, and triathletes all use this beach for training. Stand-up paddle boarding is also very popular here. The many cafés in Takapuna township are two minutes away from the sand. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.
The Promenade, Auckland, Auckland, 0622, New Zealand
The role of New Zealand's navy is recognized in this small museum. Also known as Te Waka Huia O Te Taua Moana O Aoteoroa, or Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, it holds a trove of material that reflects the country from a naval perspective. You'll see not only predictable naval material like firearms, swords, and militaria but also memorabilia from those connected to the Navy.
64 King Edward Parade, Devonport, Auckland, 0624, New Zealand
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