HEADS
Central
Central Auckland
ā Waitemat la
Mission
Auck
nd
Harbour
Bay
Rotoroa
Parnell
Island
epsom
Ōrewa &
The Riverhead Experience Enjoy a 90-minute cruise under the bridge and up the upper harbour to The Riverhead, a 160-year-old historic tavern where you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch before ferrying back.
Grey Lynn
surrounds
Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise Come dusk, sail across attractive Waitematā Harbour. Guests are treated to welcome drinks, canapés, a threecourse meal and glittering skyline views that get better as darkness falls.
Onehunga
matakana
Auckland Harbour Bridge Carabiner-up and climb Auckland Harbour
K’ Rd
Bridge or bungy off its 40m ledge.
& beyond
Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari Skim along Auckland’s turquoise waters on-board a 20m catamaran, scouring for Bryde’s whales and common dolphins. Cruises run daily, departing Viaduct Harbour.
Westhaven Marina The Westhaven Promenade is a pretty waterside
hcoitstway ortwinding e from The Viaduct and under The Harbour Bridge to n boardwalk
Penrose
market Nebw irkenhea
Herne Bay, passing scores of boats. The route is peppered with wooden sun loungers, small but surprising green lawns and a lick of sand. Electric bikes are available to rent at Westhaven Marina from Flux, based on the ground floor of the Sails Restaurant building.
Ellerslie
Tāmaki Drive Seaside vibes
are all but a 10-minute drive (or a one-and-a-half hour walk) from downtown Auckland to Mission Bay. Tāmaki Drive offers a pictureperfect route from central Auckland to the beach, following the water’s edge with Rangitoto views.
Wynyard
TOP TIP The pathway along Tāmaki Drive is shared by pedestrians and cyclists. Bike hire is available in Mission Bay, or from Adventure Capital if you’re setting off from central Auckland.
Quarter
Parnell Baths An historic 60m
TOP TIP: Fergs in Ōkahu Bay offer guided island tours and kayak rental as well as roller skates for zipping along Tāmaki Drive pathway.
Bastion Point for Auckland’s best elevated views of Waitematā harbour, the city skyline and Rangitoto Island.
Mission Bay This bustling
free barbecues and a brilliant playground over the road, opposite the beach.
beachfront suburb bristles with beach goers and busy cafés. Restaurants and bars spill onto a large grassed area fronting the beach. The prom is always packed with walkers, cyclists, roller skaters and water-lovers offloading their kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
SEA LIFE Kelly Talton’s Families
Kohimārama This is the next
outdoor pools with sun loungers and a grassy picnic area. Open for summer.
Ōkahu Bay Beach Enjoy
rave about the underwater travelator rolling beneath sharks and stingrays, as well as the hilarious antics of penguins. How about snorkelling with sharks? Available Saturday and Sunday at 10am (book in advance).
Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park Head up to See Map Section - pages 66 to 71
d
&
Mission Bay Fountain © Adam Firth RIGHT: Auckland Harbour Bridge sunrise © Adobe Stock BELOW: Mt Eden © Auckland Unlimited Inc.
coastal community along the coastline from Mission Bay (1.4km further). The esplanade boasts an enticing mix of cafés, bars, restaurants and a golden beach.
St Heliers The next one after Kohimārama Beach, also with top eateries and, again, you’re just a hop from the sand.
Mount Eden
Mission Bay
epsom
Mt Eden Village Home to a
Maungawhau Boardwalk
genuinely interesting strip of shops and eateries mere minutes from the volcanic crater.
Encircling the crater and tihi (summit) of Maungawhau / Mt Eden volcano, the dashing boardwalk was built to protect the last remnants of a 1200AD pā.
Unique Cafés While away the hours with over 300 teas and romance novels at Chapter Book & Tea Shop; Circus Circus is a popular ‘Big Top’ inspired café and ordering the Smores at The Garden Shed is a must. Sandwich together biscuits, marshmallow and chocolate, then toast over a tiny flame served inside a plant pot!
Onehungatours, rooftop walks, overnight
Penrose
Eden Park Experiences Stadium
glamping and haka performances are all available at this iconic sporting venue. If ziplining appeals, leap off the stadium’s roofline and land a few exhilarating seconds later on the world-famous pitch.
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