Whether springtime kicks off for you on the first day of September, or with the spring equinox on 23 September, signs of the season are springing up all over Auckland.
Here are some thought-starters – an urban boardwalk stroll along the water’s edge, a camping holiday before the summer crowds, playtime with the kids in one of 4000 parks, lunch in a new spot where the art sings with you, a meeting with a barn owl at Auckland Zoo, the flourish of new roses and cherry blossoms, and the essence of spring itself – newborn lambs and calves.
1. Cityside spring experiences
Why not explore Auckland’s magnificent city centre waterfront? Roller skate along Tāmaki Drive, check out our newest squares and laneways where Queen Street meets the sea, play basketball or discover the fun of water play at Wynyard Quarter, take in the views from Silo Park’s gantry and then make your way to Westhaven Promenade.
2. Plan a mini spring break
If you really enjoy Auckland’s regional parks, why not make one of them your home for a short stay? Summer is not far away, so get a head start by taking a spring vacation. Many regional parks feature bookable baches and camping spots, try Te Kuiti Cottage on Umupuia Beach at Duder Regional Park. Most campgrounds reopen mid to late October.
3. Park life: Explore Auckland’s parks
Whether you’re after a playtime adventure with the kids, a place to eat your lunch while soaking up the sunshine, or a lengthier weekend hike, this region has it all. Some highlights:
Great lunch spot
Myers Park is an inner-city sanctuary nestled between Karangahape Road, Greys Ave and Queen Street - a great lunch spot. Enjoy new native trees, poetry by celebrated Auckland poet Hone Tuwhare, water play for the kids, and statues including a replica of Michelangelo’s Moses.
Don’t miss Waimahara at the northern end of the park created by artist Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hāua, Ngāti Manu) and a creative team. This light and sound installation responds to the pitch and rhythm of your voice when you sing a special waiata. Spot the sensor on the wooden boardwalk, sing your heart out and watch the magic unfold. Watch The how to use Waimahara video.
Great dog walk
Make a date with Waiatarua Reserve, a gem near Stonefields and Remuera. Follow a buggy-friendly walkway around a restored wetland area, where you’ll discover bird-watching lookout spots. There’s an off-leash area for dogs, but owners should be warned that this park can get muddy so don’t forget to bring a towel!
Great playground
David Lange Park in Māngere is colourful and packed with activities for kids of all ages, including a playground with a flying fox, a skate park, and courts for basketball, volleyball and netball.
Great weekend walk
Not many cities have one harbour, let alone two that you can walk between in one day. The 16km Coast to Coast Walkway takes you from Waitematā Harbour to Manukau Harbour, with Pukekawa / Auckland Domain, Outhwaite Park, Maungawhau / Mt Eden, Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill and Jellicoe Park along the way.
It’s a wonderful way to see Auckland’s treasures in one day, or split the walk into three parts and complete the mission over three weekends.
4. Spring animals
Come to Ambury Regional Park and you might see newborn lambs and calves. Please give the animals plenty of distance, as their mothers are naturally protective of their spring arrivals.
Remember this is a working farm so please be aware there are no dogs allowed. Let’s all enjoy this precious time together, and please leave gates as you find them.
While you’re there, do a little bird-watching on the Foreshore Walk. It’s nesting season for many of New Zealand’s native birds, and there are more than 80 species of birds in the area.
Another place to get up close to native species is at Auckland Zoo, where you can meet a ruru. Experience ruru within Te Wao Nui (in Te Pō / The Night) and also at the zoo’s daily Hidden New Zealand keeper talk. The ruru, or morepork, is Aotearoa’s longest established native owl and is a wee cutie - weighing only 175 grams on average.
Zoo visitors also have the opportunity to experience another stunning bird of prey, the barn owl (which colonised New Zealand from Australia) – either at Hidden New Zealand or by opting for a special personal experience.
5. Flowering Auckland
For every month of the year, there’s a flower that’s in bloom in Auckland. But in spring, the blossoms and flowers are abundant. While nature can sometimes be unpredictable, here’s what you’re likely to see in flower this spring:
Magnolias – July - September
Magnolias are some of the earliest blooming flowers, popping up in late winter and early spring. Many streets in Auckland feature spectacular magnolias, and the Magnolia Garden in the Auckland Botanic Gardens will be a shower of pink in August and September.
Tulips and daffodils – September
If you’d like to tiptoe through the tulips, check out the displays at the Auckland Domain Wintergardens, and while you’re there, check out the darling daffodils growing around Pukekawa / Auckland Domain.
Cherry blossoms and kōwhai – September and October
In September, Spring Blossom Valley at the Auckland Botanic Gardens is an eruption of colour with stunning pink sakura, the white pom pom blooms of tree rhododendrons, yellow daffodils and golden kōwhai. Nectar-loving birds such as tūī love the blossoms and the valley echoes with their calls at this time of year. Pro-tip: Plant nectar-rich plants in your own backyard to bring the birds to your place.
Roses – November to summer and early autumn
The best time to enjoy roses in Tāmaki Makaurau is late spring or early summer. The Parnell Rose Gardens at Dove-Myer Robinson Park contain more than 5000 rose bushes, and it’s a delightful spot for a late-spring outing. If you need inspiration for your own garden, visit the Rose Garden at Auckland Botanic Gardens.
All the roses featured there are trialled for three years to prove they are suitable for growing in Auckland and resistant to disease. They also hold regular workshops and supply brochures [279KB] for budding rose growers.
