Best parks when visiting Auckland
3 min read
Whether you're travelling from America to visit little Old New Zealand you've heard so much about, or you're a Kiwi that's found themselves in Auckland for a brief stint.. most first-time visitors get steered toward the waterfront and the Sky Tower, which is fine, but neither tells you much about this beautiful city you're actually visiting. Auckland sits on a volcanic field, backs onto a coastline and houses a surprising amount of green spaces.
These are four of the best parks/beaches to visit that don't need a rental car or a booking made in advance.
Where to go
A working farm inside the city limits: cattle graze right up to the summit path, and the climb to the obelisk takes about fifty minutes on foot, since cars stopped going up years ago. Locals treat sunrise here as a small ritual. No entry fee, no visitor centre, just a hill, a view of two harbours, and the cows. Closer in spirit to grazing land in wine country than any city park back home.
Full guide to One Tree Hill Domain (Maungakiekie)The volcano in the middle of every Auckland photo, and the only way there is by boat. No shops, patchy cell reception, and a lava field sharp enough that you'd need to pack a good pair of shoes. An hour gets you to the summit through the largest pōhutukawa forest in the world, with caves to duck through along the way. Think Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, minus the lava and the crowds.
Full guide to Rangitoto Island Scenic ReserveThe classic Auckland beach day: a crescent of sand, an art deco fountain, and ice cream across the road, with Rangitoto sitting right out front the whole time. Flat, sealed and busy in the best way, a bit like Santa Monica if it were half the size and considerably calmer.
Full guide to Mission Bay BeachA fortified headland riddled with Victorian tunnels and gun emplacements, dug in to guard the harbour mouth from an invasion that never came. The tunnels are properly dark, so bring a torch. Ferry across from downtown, wander the Devonport village first, then climb the hill for a view of Rangitoto across the water. A little like touring one of the old coastal forts back home, minus the crowds and the gift shop.
Full guide to North Head (Maungauika)
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