The best Auckland parks (pks) are:
Central Ak pks -
The best Auckland parks start near the CBD. N.B. Sorry I've got to abbreviate to pk to search engine optimise this page. Central Ak pks -Ak Domain -Surrounds the War Memorial Museum.
After visiting the museum walk down the hill to the Winter gardens,where there are glasshouses and exotic plant displays.
Below these are ponds with ducks you can feed.
Domain Drive, Central Ak.
Cornwall pk - One Tree Hill Domain -
Features an Arboretum ( exotic trees planted throughout the grounds), Bedding Displays,Glasshouse and Cottage.
You can enter from either Green Lane or Manukau Road.Then drive through sheep grazed pasture to the top of One Tree Hill, (currently there is no tree on One Tree Hill, because the last one was cut down by a Moari protester.) The local Moari tribe won't allow another to be planted until their grievances, with the government have been settled.
The view from the top of One Tree Hill is one of the best in the city.
Stardome Observatory
is also in the domain near the Manukau Road entrance.
Northern Ak Pks -
Northern Ak Pks -
North Head -
A prominent land mark on the North Shore side of the Waitemamta Harbour in Devonport, is public land and has military fortifications that the public can walk through.With good views around the Harbour.
Chelsea Estate -An oasis in the suburbs close to central Ak.
Construction of the refinery started in 1883. It still operates as a commercial sugar refinery. The estate has old cottages and ponds throughout the grounds.
The 54 hectares of Chelsea Estate Refinery have native bush and walking tracks, providing a sanctuary to many endangered and rare species.
Chelsea Estate, Colonial Rd, Birkenhead, North Shore City.
Long Bay -A busy beach side grounds on the North Shore. This space is a popular setting for group events. Long Bay is a great place to bring the family for fun at the beach, and is less than half an hour from the city.This public land acts as a green buffer zone for the 1 km long beach and is adjacent Long Bay - Okura Marine Reserve. It includes the historic Vaughan Homestead and extends up to the cliff tops above the Okura River about a 2 hour return walk north. You can walk along the beach and slippery rocks when the tide is below about halfway in or out, and along the cliff top track at high tide.
Mahurangi Regional Pk -
Is made up of Mahurangi West, Scott Point and Mahurangi East,which are separated by two arms of the Mahurangi Harbour.Expanses of open pasture are fringed with coastal forest and remnants of mature native forest dominated by pohutukawa, puriri and taraire.
Mahurangi West -
Includes the beautiful Sullivans Bay and remote Te Muri beach.
Scott Point -
Has the historic Scott homestead.With two boat ramps.
Mahurangi East -
Is accessible only by boat.
Scandrett Regional Pk -
Perched on the north-east tip of the Mahurangi Peninsula, Scandrett Regional Prk offers great views of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, a safe sheltered beach and regenerating coastal forest.
Shakespear Regional Pk -
Is located on the scenic Whangaparaoa Peninsula and offers stunning views of the city and the inner Hauraki Gulf. Birds from nearby Tiritiri Matangi Island sanctuary have flown across to the regenerating native forest on Whangaparaoa Peninsula. You can hear bellbirds and see the occasional kakariki.Enjoy the expansive rural pastoral setting and the new-born lambs in the spring.At Te Haruhi Bay the resident peacocks display. White-faced herons, dotterels and stilts inhabit the foreshore of Okoromai Bay , and tui and native pigeons flourish in the regenerating forest of Waterfall Gully. The first steps have been taken towards establishing an Open Sanctuary here at Shakespear.
Tawharanui Regional Pk -
Is an Open Sanctuary with a predator proof fence separating the peninsular from predators.
There is a beautiful mix of farm and forest, complemented by a wonderful coastline part of which is protected as a Marine Pk.
When the sea swell approaches from the best angle ( north east ), there is a few surfable breaks off the beaches. Mature native bush in the area contains puriri, kauri and nikau palms. Large stands of maturing kanuka and manuka are evidence of a major regeneration programme.
The New Zealand dotterel nests in dunes on the northern coast.
This area is surrounded by sea on all but one side and offers panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf, Kawau and Little Barrier islands.
Southern Ak Pks -
Ambury Pk -
Ambury welcomes urban visitors to experience a working farm, with its variety of sheep and cattle breeds, and a changing assortment of chickens, goats, kune kune pigs and a horse or two.
It is a volcanic area and its numerous stonewalls,mounds, house sites and midden bear testament to how rich the land was during early Maori occupation.
The coastal reefs and inlets on the pk's Manukau Harbour foreshore are home to more than 86 species of birds.
During big autumn tides more than 20,000 migratory birds from the Arctic and the South Island have been observed in the air.Awhitu Regional Pk -
In the southern part of the region on the Awhitu peninsula, is rich in natural history, including regenerating wetlands with fernbirds, and the culturally significant Brook Homestead.
This area has two long sandy beaches separated by a headland of soft sandstone created from the ancient wind blown sand dunes of the Awhitu Peninsula. Wetlands lie behind both beaches providing a wonderful habitat for fern birds and banded rails. At low tide bird watchers can enjoy a variety of wading birds inhabiting the mud flats. Inland from the coast with its fringe of pohutukawa, much of the area is farmed grassland and home to several fine historic trees.
Awhitu Regional Pk is a great day out. Combine your visit to the park with visits to the historic Waiuku township or the steam museum at Glenbrook. Duder Regional Pk -
Is the place for unparalleled views of the Hauraki Gulf. Put on your tramping boots or saddle up your mountain bike - your horse too if you have a permit - and discover Duder. The area is situated on the pohutukawa-lined Whakakaiwhara Peninsula, that protrudes out into the Tamaki Strait.
The grounds provide breathtaking views of land and sea - see how many islands you can spot from Whakakaiwhara Point.To the south of the pk, there is extensive salt marsh and shell banks where the Dotterel birds nest.
As the Dotterel is an endangered bird, you are asked that you please stay off the shell banks to help protect them.
The Hunua Ranges Regional Pk -
Is the place to be if you are into action and adventure. From remote experience tracks to test your bush skills,through to mountain bike tracks to test your fitness, Hunua has it all.You can also just relax with a picnic by Hunua Falls and let the world pass you by.
The Hunua Ranges covers some 16,000 hectares and contains the largest block of forest on the mainland of the region. Although many large stands of native trees like kauri, mate, kahikatea, taw, rata, and rimu were logged last century, they are now regenerating successfully.
Mutukaroa-Hamlins Hill Regional Pk -
Offers a pastoral landscape in the middle of the city. It is surrounded by industry but is visible from the Southern Motorway. The pk is accessible from Great South Road near the junction with Sylvia Pk Road in Mt Wellington.
Omana Regional Pk -
Is the ideal place to enjoy a family day out. There is a safe swimming beach, rock pools to explore, pet animals to feed, a children's playground, large flat grass areas for organised games and plenty of picnic and barbecue sites.
The 40 hectares of land consists of regenerating forest, open farmland, pohutukawa-fringed cliff tops, mangrove mudflats, rocky seashore and a sandy beach.
Western Ak pks.
Arataki Centre -
Travel west to the Arataki Centre, gateway to the Waitakere, take in the broad panoramic views extending from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea. See some of the area's history and admire the impressive traditional Maori carvings that stand guard there.
Then continue west to New Zealand's wild and rugged West Coast where you get to experience the power of nature. Feel the black sand beneath your feet as you stroll along we-inspiring beaches. Unwind by a spectacular cascading waterfall or swim beneath it. A short journey brings you to the luxuriant, rain forest where you can have an easy bush walk along tracks amongst New Zealand's giant tree ferns and hear native birds. Visit a magnificent specimen of New Zealand's famous Kauri trees.
Cascade Kauri, Lake Wainamu and Fairy Falls -
Are located in the northern part of the Waitakere Ranges and offer great places to explore. See giant Kauri trees, huge sand dunes and spectacular waterfalls. Walk through ancient forests and along picturesque streams. Muriwai Regional Prk -
A dramatic weather-beaten coastline with black sand beaches stretching 60 kilometres north, makes Muriwai one one the countries most magnificent surf beaches.One of New Zealands few mainland Gannet breeding colonies is at Otakamiro Point. This headland and the nearby offshore islands provide a habitat for Blue penguins, White fronted terns (Tara),and Fur seals (Kekeno). It is easily accessible along a 5 minute walking track from one of the two car parks.The Moari Bay car park provides a better coastal view and easier access.
Piha, Karekare and Anawhata -
Are three of the regions most spectacular beaches and wilderness areas. On the western side of the Waitakere Ranges, these areas are great places to visit. Remember these beaches are dangerous. Please take extra care when swimming and swim only between the flags when lifeguards are present.
Huia, Cornwallis and Whatipu -
Are situated in the southern Waitakere Ranges and are a great areas to visit, with beaches that range from the calm, safe Cornwallis to the wild surf of Whatipu.
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