In New Zealand is Manukau City, the 3rd largest agglomeration in the country located nearby the capital Auckland. Manukau is an original Maori suburb and a thrilling place, home to many parks and activities for visitors. Here, you’ll enjoy accessing a vast range of natural sights, cultural and entertainment attractions and parks for a nice getaway from the Auckland rush and craziness. In this article, we’ll focus on 10 of the best things to do to fully enjoy your experience of the place.
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1. Mangere Mountain
If you’re looking for an interesting and lively insight into the Māori culture, the geology and the archaeology of the island, then, the Mangere Mountain is for you! In this ancient volcano area, you’ll enjoy a vast panel of educational and entertaining activities through guided walks on the lava dome, visiting some craters, archeological sites and awesome gardens, and get awesome panoramic views from the mountain top. Well, surrounded and welcomed by the warm staff of The Mangere Mountain Education Centre, you’ll find yourself in one of the best museums in all the area.
Mangere Mountain
Address: 100 Coronation Rd, Mangere, Auckland 2022, New Zealand
Website: Mangere Mountain
2. Auckland Botanic Gardens
Housing an amazing range of plants (more than 10,000) the Auckland Botanic Gardens is a huge botanical garden located in Manurewa. Opened in 1982, the thrilling spot features some incredible areas such as the Camellia Garden, Conifer Garden, Gondwana Arboretum, Magnolia Garden, Native Forest and much, much more! Walking and exploring the place is a relaxing and delightful time in a space where everything is just “beauty and quietness”. A top place to go for a leisure walk and a great breath of fresh air.
Auckland Botanic Gardens
Address: 102 Hill Rd, The Gardens, Auckland 2105, New Zealand
Website: Auckland Botanic Gardens
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3. Howick Historical Village
Another great point of interest in the area is the Howick Historical Village; a living history museum that features Auckland’s colonial period history (1840 to 1880) in an interactive, funny and interesting way. Here, people are living as they were in the old times and exploring this re-creation of the past is a unique opportunity to experience the history of the country walking through this 3 hectare (7 acre) site with its historic schools, villages, church, etc. This is definitely the perfect place for great family days-out and funny attraction times!!
Howick Historical Village
Address: Lloyd Elsmore Park Bells Rd, Pakuranga, Auckland 2010, New Zealand
Website: Howick Historical Village
4. Otuataua Stonefields
Based in the thrilling Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve, nearby Auckland and Manukau, Otuataua is an impressive 64 meter (210 feet) high volcanic cone, one of the most iconic features of the area. Providing a fortified village to the original inhabitants (including Māori stone garden mounds), the volcanic soils extends all the way to the sandy beaches of Manukau. Walking over the historic and natural reserve, you’ll learn about the history of human presence in Auckland from initial Maori settlement to the arrival of Europeans in the mid-1800s.
Otuataua Stonefields
Address: 56 Ihumatao Quarry Rd, Mangere, Auckland 2022, New Zealand
Website: Otuataua Stonefields
5. Stardome Observatory
Another great thing you’ll enjoy doing is star gazing at the open to public Stardome Observatory, situated in Cornwall Park near Auckland. Here you’ll have an opportunity to watch the southern hemisphere night sky a completely different way to spot a new constellation and stars. A unique experience for nature lovers!
Stardome Observatory
Address: 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland 1345, New Zealand
Website: Stardome Observatory
6. Vodafone Event Centre
Vodafone Events Centre is an amazing and very complete event center located in Manukau. Featuring a huge range of different activities and attractions (including an indoor arena, theatre, community, cultural entertainment and sports events of all kind), Auckland’s most iconic Pacific themed venue will just blow your expectations! Exhibits, concerts, conferences, conventions, seminars, festivals, fairs, fashion shows, graduations, performances, plays, weddings, community activities, workshops, and every event conceivable: this mammoth building of 5,000 square meters (53,800 square feet) is one of the liveliest places you’ll go in the area.
Vodafone Event Centre
Address: 770 Great South Rd, Wiri, Manukau 2104, New Zealand
Website: Vodafone Event Centre
7. Rainbows End Park
Another great theme park in the area is Rainbow’s End, a big family entertainment center of 9.3 hectares (23 acres). Perfect place for a seaside holiday, here, you’ll be both at a stone’s throw away from the sea and in a beautiful and tranquil grassland where you’ll enjoy a peaceful retreat!
Rainbows End Park
Website: Rainbows End Park
8. Ambury Regional Park
The Ambury Regional Park is a great place for campers and hikers: a beautiful natural farm park where you’ll enjoy being close to nature and wildlife in a wonderful and peaceful place (featuring some lava fields nearby the Manukau harbor). A great place for a great break in nature!
Ambury Regional Park
Address: 43 Ambury Rd, Mangere Bridge, Auckland 2022, New Zealand
Website: Ambury Regional Park
9. Ayrlies Gardens
One of the most outstanding New Zealand gardens, Ayrlies Garden is a big 5 hectare (12 acre) area featuring lawns, ponds, waterways, heavily planted areas and much more. Here you’ll love strolling across the different plantations and open spaces in a romantic and harmonious atmosphere, experiencing another face (and what a beautiful one!) of the area.
Ayrlies Gardens
Address: 125 Potts Rd, Whitford, Auckland 2571, New Zealand
Website: Ayrlies Gardens
10. Pasifika Festival Auckland
The Pasifika Festival is a thrilling Pacific Islands-themed festival held annually in Auckland. Featuring a huge panel of traditional and cultural diversity from several Pacific Island nations (Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu and Aotearoa) this unique event is one not to miss in the country. An ultimate family and group experience for a memorable time and a great insight into the Pacific culture!
Pasifika Festival Auckland
Address: Western Spring Park, 731 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Western Springs, Auckland, NZ
Website: Pasifika Festival Auckland
Discover a new world
With these 10 great activities around the area of Manukau in New Zealand, you’ll discover a new world of culture, nature and enjoyment! New Zealand will blow your mind!
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