Winter Weekend Itinerary: ALL EYES SOUTH To rush through South Auckland in a hurry to the next stop would be a mistake. A myriad of experiences await all those who delve a little deeper.
FRIDAY: ACTIVE INDULGENCE Ease your way into a relaxed weekend with a morning High Tea at Fisher House in Highbrook, a 20-minute drive south of central Auckland. Available between 9am and 11am, pick at sweet pastries in the former grounds of Sir Woolf and Lady Fisher. Built in 1962 as a 71-hectare racing horse stud farm, it’s preened to perfection. With rounded bellies, drive a further 15 minutes west to Manukau Harbour, the larger of Auckland’s twin harbours and a spectacle of tidal flats and wading birds. The harbour’s inner reaches can be admired from Mangere Bridge, a bonny village bristling with community spirit. Six minutes from here is Ambury Regional Park, gateway to the Manukau Coastal Cycleway. Grazing the waterfront, this 14km return route is flat and easy. Follow the trail to Ōtuataua Stonefields with its resident large-scale archaeological remnants. TOP TIP: No bike? No worries. Hire your wheels from Torpedo7 in Manukau.
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Not solely an ancient volcano with impressive 360-degree views, Māngere Mountain encompasses an Education Centre and gardens. If you have energy left in the tank, guided 90-minute walks are available. With appetites rife once more, head to Pah Homestead in Hillsborough, a 10-minute drive north. Located in an impressive Italianate heritage building, the café sits atop a hill overlooking Monte Cecilia Park. Tuck into a light lunch before admiring some of the 9000-strong collection of contemporary artworks curated from the Wallace Arts Trust Collection, then pop into the shop, and an emporium of fantastic one-of-a-kind crafts. A walk around the sweeping park is equally hard to resist. Finish the day at Villa Maria Estate winery. The newly renamed Tasting Room combines wine tasting with small platters, served in the vineyard’s stately surroundings.
WINTER AUCKLAND – FREE OFFICIAL GUIDE
