6 minute read
ROAD TRIP - Auckland to Waiuku - 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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SIDE TRIP - Manukau to Hūnua Ranges Regional Park via SH 1 and Clevedon 50min, 53km
SIDE TRIP - Manukau to Clarks Beach via Linwood Rd 35min, 36.7km
SIDE TRIP - Pukekohe to Tūākau via Tūākau Rd & Buckland Rd 12min, 10km
Leave the CBD high-rises in your rearview 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 andthen Mill Rd, and you’re on the way to the Hūnua Ranges Regional Park, a rugged area of native forest and wildlife.
Ōtara Markets TOP RIGHT: Manukau Heads
© Auckland Unlimited
HIGHLIGHTS
VECTOR WERO WHITEWATER PARK Career down two whitewater courses, including the world’s highest man-made waterfall. Hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and glide across the lake.
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 educationcentre to learn about how the mountain was formed, and its Māori inhabitants from centuries past.
RAINBOW’S END Many wild rides are on offer at New Zealand’s premier theme park, including roller coasters, dodgem cars, log flume, bumper-boats and arcade 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-flyingexotic butterflies.
MANUKAU HEADS LIGHTHOUSE Located on Āwhitu Peninsula, take in the view from the wraparound balcony. The lighthouse overlooks the Manukau Bar, site of New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster (the 1863 grounding of the HMS Orpheus).
Manukau Heads
© Auckland Unlimited
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.
GLENBROOK VINTAGE RAILWAY This volunteer-run railway caters to every whim. Get on board for a chug through gentle farmland on a vintage steam locomotive, or opt for a decadent high tea served in a first-class carriage.
ŌTARA MARKET Find Māori and Pasifika arts, crafts and food at this iconic market behind the Ōtara town centre on Saturdays (6am to midday, except public holidays).
VILLA MARIA VINEYARD Renowned for its wine tastings, fine dining and refined estate. The newly renamed Tasting Room combines wine tasting with small platters, served in the elegant surroundings.
THINGS TO SEE & DO
A detour into east Auckland leads to 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.
Head to ŌTUATAUA STONEFIELDS HISTORIC RESERVE in Māngere for large-scale volcanic remnants. Wander through the relics of this important archaeological sight.
Don’t miss AUCKLAND BOTANIC GARDENS just off SH 1 for an impressive display of flora, lakes, the award-winning Potter Children’s Garden and fabulous sculptures. Better yet, it’s free.
CASTAWAYS RESORT Perched on a wild cliffside overlooking Karioitahi Beach with luxury glamping tents, fire pits and bathtubs dug into the cliff bluff.
Sunset: Castaways, Karioitahi Beach
© Auckland Unlimited
MANUKAU
> Ambury Farm Park
> Butterfly Creek
> Ōtara Market
> Rainbows End
> Totara Park Bike Track
> Villa Maria Winery
PUKEKOHE Otherwise known as market garden central, Franklin Market is here and has been running on Saturdays for 20 years.
WAIUKU Visit black-sand Karioitahi Beach, Glenbrook Vintage Railway and the Kentish Hotel, pipped as New Zealand’s oldest licensed pub (licence continuously held since 1853).
BRACU At the Simunovich Olive Estate is contemporary finedining 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.
Villa Maria
© Villa Maria
SIDE TRIP - 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
© Getty Images
SIDE TRIP - CLARKS BEACH
The sheltered tidal waters and mangroves mean Clarks Beach is popular with birdlife,while it’s a top spot for locals to fish and kayak.
SIDE TRIP - 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 which 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
© Chris McLennan
