2 minute read
Howick & Pakuranga Must-Do's
UXBRIDGE Arts & Culture - Enjoy an injection of culture at Uxbridge. Home to an art gallery, classes and workshops for art, language, ceramics and bone carving, as well as live theatre, music and dance. There’s also Uxbridge Café for pre-theatre food, including their raved-about platters.
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Pottery at UXBRIDGE © UXBRIDGE
Howick Village Market - It might be small but this one packs a lot of punch. Held every Saturday from 8am to 12.30pm, there are crafts, food items and even a town crier.
Howick Historical Village - A living museum with more than 30 original colonial buildings. Meander the recreated village and look out for ‘live days’ when locals don full costume.
Howick Historic Village © Chris McLennan
Beaches - There is no shortage of beautiful beaches in this part of Auckland. Bucklands Beach and Howick have grown around some of the loveliest sandy spots in the region, while others, such as Maraetai, are not built up at all.
Half Moon Bay Marina - Comprising a small shopping centre with shops, bars and alfresco restaurants, as well as a walkway that leads to delightful Little Bucklands Beach.
The Apothecary Licensed Eatery - Located in Howick, this original 1950s apothecary (traditional pharmacy) from Northern France has a retro interior. Open for allday breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mangemangeroa Reserve - Little-known but rich in wildlife, pack a picnic and walk three hours one way to Cockle Bay.
Ōmana Regional Park - Pull on your gumboots and stride out for a day of beach walks, farmland tramps and pā exploration. This large grassy knoll overlooks the inner Hauraki Gulf and features free barbecues and a playground. Winter gate access is 6am to 7pm; summer 6am to 9pm. Twenty minutes from Howick.
Pakuranga Night Market - Make sure you work up an appetite for this Saturday night food market which pops up under The Warehouse every weekend. Head on down from 5.30pm for mountains of food.
Pakuranga Rotary Path - A smooth, flat ride that skirts the edges of the Tāmaki Estuary and Wakaaranga Creek, passing boats, beach and mangrove. The route is 18km and mostly paved. Allow roughly two hours.
Te Tuhi Gallery - A contemporary art space with an innovative and experimental ethos. Exhibitions reflect and celebrates the region’s cultural diversity.
Want more? Visit https://aatraveller.co.nz/travel-guides and get planning.
Looking for a place to stay? Book accommodation at aa.travel.co.nz
IMAGE ABOVE: Howick Historic Village © Chris McLennan
