In a prime waterfront location on the Waitematā Harbour, The Landing on Tāmaki Drive is a spectacular spot to appreciate water sports from dry ground or even launch your own boat.
This seaside park is a favourite for Ōrākei Local Board chair Scott Milne, who has been a regular visitor for 50 years!
What do you like about it?
It is the city’s best land/sea interface for thousands of small boat sailors, kite surfers, foilers, those learning water skills and hundreds of trailer boat owners.
Who would you recommend it to?
Any Aucklander who wants a deep breath of fresh sea air and wants to watch 10,000 people a month getting on the water, learning to sail, going fishing or enjoying one of many events and regattas launch from The Landing. It is a fabulous “people watching” place.
Describe some of its best features:
The Landing is a big, safe, open, sealed space with plenty of parking, two boat jetties, Ferg’s Kayaks and the Hyundai Marine Centre which is home to dozens of sailing, kayaking and waka ama clubs as well as the Royal Akarana Yacht Club. It boasts a fabulous restaurant and rooms for hire overlooking the sparkling Waitematā Harbour.
Tell us a memory you have from this park?
Fifty years ago, I enjoyed maintaining boats here and have launched my boat here many times since. Back in the day, launches would be parked up there for months or years on end and it attracted some interesting old sea dogs who made it their home as a sort of trailer park for live-aboard boats. At sixteen, I departed from here on my first serious ocean race to Fiji.
Splash Landing.
Do you know of any community events or activities that take place in this park?
There is always something on. The Landing is the premiere small boat regatta launchpad having recently hosted the Optimist Champs and other international regattas of 49’ers, lasers and foiling events.
The local board has also started hosting an annual family event in partnership with Akarana Marine Sports Charitable Trust called “Splash Landing”. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the announcement of the 2026 edition.
What would you recommend visitors take with them?
Bring a lifejacket because you never know who might give you the chance to “have a go”.
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