Summer is when Tāmaki Makaurau comes into its own, thanks to its stunning beaches, parks, walks, festivals and public spaces.
Get outdoors, try something new and make the most of summer in Auckland by heading out to one of these great locations:
Ōmana Regional Park
This huge 40ha park offers a wide range of attractions for families – a sandy beach, cycle tracks, large grassy areas for games, barbecue facilities, and sea views. It’s also the starting point for Te Ara Moana Kayak Trail, a self-guided paddle of up to five days along 50km of the coast, with stops at five regional parks.
Muriwai
Head west to this rugged, beautiful, black-sand beach and take a walk on the clifftop trails to the gannet colony.
Mahurangi Regional Park
Turn off State Highway 1 near Pūhoi and travel 20 minutes to find one of the most beautiful white-sand beaches in Auckland. Mahurangi offers a secluded, pōhutukawa-lined bay with calm, blue water and a plentiful supply of grassy land for picnics.
Auckland Botanic Gardens
The 64ha of native bush and gardens in Manurewa are free to enter and make for a perfect family day trip. This summer’s Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition is a must-do.
Waitawa Regional Park
This park, 50km south-east of the city centre, is made up of three small peninsulas and fronts onto four bays. The Kōtare track, which takes about 90 minutes to walk, leads you through parkland, regenerating coastal bush and wetland environments.
Looking for more inspiration?
Find more great day out locations on the Akl Paths website. Filter hundreds of walkways, cycle paths and accessible tracks across the region and make the most of your summer.
