5 minute read
ROAD TRIP: A journey through Manukau
Auckland to Awhitu Peninsula via SH 1 from Central Auckland via South Auckland - 1hr 27min, 94.5km
Manukau to Waiuku via SH 1, SH 22 and Pukekohe - 49min, 51.6km
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Manukau to Hūnua Ranges Regional Park via SH 1 and Clevedon - 50min, 53km
Pukekohe to Tūākau via Tūākau Rd & Buckland Rd - 12min, 10km
Manukau to Clarks Beach via Linwood Rd - 35min, 36.7km
Leave the CBD high-rises in your rear-view mirror as you nose onto SH 1 and head south to Manukau. There are many diversions worth seeking out off the main highway, from the sprawling beauty of Cornwall Park to the time-warp of Howick Historical Village. Then turn off SH 1 at the Manukau off-ramp.
On arriving in South Auckland, you’re spoilt for choice. Manukau, Māngere, Ōtara and the area around Auckland Airport are packed with ways to experience Māori and Pacific Island culture, enjoy harbour views, and have quality family time. From Manukau, head east along Redoubt Rd and then Mill Rd, and you’re on the way to the Hūnua Ranges Regional Park, a rugged area of native forest and wildlife.
HIGHLIGHTS
MĀNGERE MOUNTAIN - One of Auckland’s largest volcanic cones with 360-degree views from the top. Guided walks are available, though you’re also free to wander around the dome and into the crater by yourself. Visit the education centre to learn about how the mountain was formed, and the lives of its Māori inhabitants from centuries past.
RAINBOW’S END - If you have kids on board, add this to your itinerary. Many wild rides are on offer at New Zealand’s premier theme park, including roller coasters, Dodgem cars, mini-golf and an indoor games area.
BUTTERFLY CREEK - Close to Auckland International Airport, this family-friendly attraction features a Kiwi Forest, huge life-like dinosaurs, a train ride, friendly farm animals and more than 700 free-flying exotic butterflies.
VECTOR WERO WHITEWATER PARK - Home to kayaking, white-water rafting and other aquatic adventures.
MANUKAU HEADS LIGHTHOUSE - Located on Āwhitu Peninsula, take in the view from the wraparound balcony. The lighthouse – a replica of the 1874 original that once stood nearby overlooks the Manukau Bar, site of New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster (the 1863 grounding of the HMS Orpheus).
Manakau Heads Lighthouse
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MĀNGERE ARTS CENTRE - Just 15 minutes from Manukau, the Māngere Arts Centre is a hub for Māori and Pacific visual and performing arts. Check out exhibitions in the two art gallery spaces, or catch a show in the theatre. The work here reflects the unique cultural character of this area.
GLENBROOK VINTAGE RAILWAY - This volunteer-run railway offers the chance to chug through gentle farmland on a steam locomotive. The ex-New Zealand Railways trains are from the late 19th and early 20th centuries,complete with refurbished livery and outdoor viewing balconies.
Glenbrook Vintage Railway
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ŌTARA MARKET - Māori and Pacifika arts, crafts and food are on offer at this iconic market behind the Ōtara town centre on Saturdays (6am to midday, except public holidays).
Otara Markets
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THINGS TO SEE & DO
A detour into east Auckland leads to HOWICK HISTORICAL VILLAGE, a recreated colonial New Zealand suburb using original houses and buildings. ‘Meet the Villagers’ days allow visitors to play old-fashioned games, attend school lessons and partake in theatrical court sessions.
Howick Historical Village, East Auckland
Howick Historical Village
Head to JELLICOE PARK in Ōnehunga for a sneak a peek at the replica 1850s Fencible Cottage (the Fencibles were retired soldiers tasked with defending Auckland from potential Māori war parties).
Don’t miss AUCKLAND BOTANIC GARDENS just of SH 1 for an impressive display of flora, lakes, the award winning Potter Children’s Garden and fabulous sculptures.
SIDE TRIP to the HŪNUA RANGES
The densely forested Hūnua Ranges offers walking and mountain-biking tracks, campgrounds, and plenty of opportunities to spot native wildlife. Pairs of kōkako have been released into the ranges, as well as North Island brown kiwi.
The steep valleys are a great place for reservoirs that provide Auckland with much of its water, and there’s great trout fishing to be had in the rivers too.
The terrain can be steep in places, so for an easy introduction, head for the Hūnua Falls Path, a 15-minute walk through native forest to a lookout platform, where you can see the water tumble down into a placid pool: swimming not recommended. Packing a picnic (perhaps sourced from the nearby Clevedon Farmers’ Market) is obligatory – and besides, why would you want to rush away from such natural beauty? Stretch your legs further on the 75-minute Hūnua Suspension Bridge Path.
Hūnua Falls
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SIDE TRIP to TŪĀKAU
You can walk just about everywhere in this sweet, small town. Attractions include the photogenic Tūākau bridge, bush-track walks, including a short, easy one to Vivian Falls, and Sugar Plum Kitchen for freshly made scones and doughnuts.
Tūākau bridge
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MANUKAU
Cultures collide in a congenial way in Manukau. In South Auckland, 20 minutes from the CBD, Māori, Pacific, Asian, Indian and European residents all rub shoulders. One translation of the name Manukau is ‘wading birds’: many mooch around the tidal flats of the Manukau Harbour. Cycle paths wind around the harbour’s edge and climbing Māngere Mountain is popular, too.
PUKEKOHE - Otherwise known as market garden central, Franklin Market is here and has been running on Saturdays for 19 years.
WAIUKU - Visit Tamakae Reserve, Glenbrook Vintage Railway and the Kentish Hotel which sells itself as New Zealand’s oldest licensed pub (licence continuously held since 1853).
BRACU - At the Simunovich Olive Estate is contemporary fine-dining restaurant Bracu.
WINERIES - Picnic at Āwhitu Wines and sip on their creations while enjoying views of Manukau Harbour. Vin Alto, Clevedon produces Italian-style drops and at the foot of Hūnua Ranges, John Hill Estate offers archery amidst the vines.
MANUKAU MUST-DO'S
Villa Maria Winery
Villa Maria Winery
> Ōtara Market
> Rainbows End
> Arts & Crafts
> Butterfly Creek
> Villa Maria Winery
> Ambury Farm Park
'Power Surge' ride
Rainbows End
SIDE TRIP to CLARKS BEACH
The sheltered tidal waters and mangroves mean Clarks Beach is popular with birdlife. Locals wander down here to gather scallops and fishing and kayaking are also popular.
Oystercatcher
Alan Cressier
