Ambury Regional Park is situated 15 kilometres south of Auckland city on the shore of Manukau Harbour. The park is actually a working farm, making it a great park for families. Children will enjoy seeing sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, goats, and peacocks. Lanes between the animal enclosures allow visitors to get up close to the animals.

Birdwatchers will be kept busy with 86 species identified to date including knots, godwits, wrybills, little shags, and white-faced herons.

Sitting on ash-covered lava flows deposited by the eruption of Mangere Mountain18,000 years ago, the park provides visitors with views across to Manukau Heads and the Waitakere Ranges. The Maori originally had a large fortified pa on Mangere Mountain and used the area now known as Ambury Regional Park for gardening and an access point to seafood and launching canoes.

Ambury farm park lies among the southern suburbs fronting the Manukau Harbour. Take in the various farm animals as you wander around the open pasture. Ambury is a significant habitat for shorebirds and the coast has excellent examples of basalt lava flows.

The centre is the home of Māori and Pacific visual and performing arts in Auckland.

It has two gallery spaces and a theatre with extensive lighting and audio set-up for performances, workshops, rehearsals and events and an enclosed community courtyard. The café supports local youth development programmes.

The centre's annual programme of events and exhibitions showcases the diversity and quality of arts, crafts and cultural activities that underpin the unique character of Māngere and Ōtāhuhu.

It also produces an annual April School Holiday theatre production.

Entry is free.

Charges may apply to workshops, theatre performances and special exhibitions.

Top of the list is a trip to the historical Manukau Heads Lighthouse, jutting out from the tip of the peninsula, located in the Franklin district. The lighthouse is one of only a few in New Zealand that are open to the public and the views are amazing. The wind and salt spray will clear out the cobwebs too. On your way to the peninsula, stop by Waiuku, a historic town on the Sunset Coast. Explore the tranquil bays and rolling pastures of Āwhitu Regional Park on one of the short walks and mountain bike trails, or relax with a swim and a picnic at one of the safe, white-sand beaches. On the western side, the expansive and more rugged black-sand beach of Karioitahi is an awesome spot for activities on and off the water, including hang gliding, paragliding, blo-karting, surfing, 4 wheel driving and more.

This walkway follows the northern shore of the Manukau Harbour from the Onehunga Foreshore to Lynfield Cove in the west.

Clarks Beach is a small town of Auckland, New Zealand. It is in the former Franklin District local government area. Primarily a beachside rural town, situated within the Manukau Harbour, at the mouth of the Waiuku River, it fronts the harbour and is north facing. It is known as one of the few beaches where scallops can be collected by hand at low tide.

The waterfront Tamakae Reserve is a popular destination for picnickers and visitors. The area contains the George Doherty Green and the Waiuku Museum. At the entrance to the Reserve stands a striking statue of legendary Maori figure Tamakae, carved from swamp kauri logs.

The reserve sits close to the Museum, which charges a small enterance fee, but seeing the buildings in Tamakae Reserve are free and is like taking a step back in time. 

At the Shorebird Centre we welcome visitors to come and explore the fascinating world of shorebirds with us. Visit the Centre to learn about the birds then head 2km down the road to the Bird Hides to view them. Come at high tide to see the birds.

Entry is free, but a donation is much appreciated and helps us to continue providing this service.

At the centre you can learn all about shorebirds and their habitat from our information displays and our knowledgeable staff.

Find out what the different birds look like and which ones are currently at Pūkorokoro. Learn about the amazing journey that migratory birds like the godwit make from Alaska to New Zealand. Discover more about New Zealand’s shorebirds, their ecology, their habitat and their conservation.

Browse our extensive range of natural history books and children’s books. Get presents for family and friends sorted with our range of nature themed gifts including art tiles, cards, homeware and more.

The Auckland Botanic Gardens is located on Hill Road, Manurewa, covering 64 hectares (156 acres) of land, including 10 hectares of native forest. Opening to the public in 1982, the Auckland Botanic Gardens is a young garden by world standards.

The Gardens attract more than 950,000 visitors each year and is a member of the New Zealand Gardens Trust, an organisation that assesses gardens for the quality of visitor experience and promotes garden visiting.

A focus on creating unique gardens and landscapes has resulted in a spectacular garden with a distinctive South Pacific flavour.

Our team are extremely knowledgeable about plants, and are passionate about connecting our visitors to plants and gardens. As horticultural experts, our role is to help people engage with plants and gardens, and to highlight their importance in everyday life. We run regular workshops and drop-in sessions where our staff can give expert advice and tips to our visitors. Keep an eye on our event calendar for upcoming sessions.

Sustainable horticultural principles underpin everything we do. Our aim is to optimise the health of our plants without relying on fungicides or insecticides. We want to establish plants that are self-sustaining, and require minimal intervention.

To achieve this, we run extensive plant trials to identify plants that perform well and remain healthy in Auckland’s mild climate, without pesticides. A particular focus is given to the role plants play in environmental enhancement, for example, the introduction of Low Impact Design (LID) systems (now known as Water Sensitive Design) to protect and enhance our waterways.

This promontory above Tāmaki Drive, known to Ngāti Whātua as Takaparawhā, has come to symbolise Māori land issues. It was given to the Crown by Ngāti Whātua as a defence site during the Russian scare of 1885. In 1977–78 a 506-day protest against a proposed Crown sale was held there. The obelisk in Savage Memorial Park on Bastion Point commemorates the burial place of Michael Joseph Savage, first Labour prime minister, who died in 1940. This area boasts beautiful views over the Waitamata harbour, as well as providing a lovely walk through rose covered archways, and gorgeous ponds/water fountains.

This is a giant board game with a difference – this playground is a giant game of snakes and ladders where the kids are the moving counters, there are ladders for moving up and slides to represent snakes. Also at this playground are swings, picnic tables, grassy areas with trees for shade and access to the beach and estuary.

This playground is part of the rotary walkway which is a 5km loop suitable for buggies, scooting, bikes and dogs in leads.

Clevedon Scenic Reserve, a hidden oasis on the outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand, invites nature enthusiasts to explore its captivating beauty. Nestled within the charming rural community of Clevedon, this reserve offers a serene escape into native bush, providing a peaceful retreat for locals and visitors alike. Wander through well-maintained walking tracks that wind through lush greenery, revealing stunning vistas and showcasing the region's diverse flora and fauna. Traverse the picturesque landscapes, where bird songs harmonize with the rustling leaves, creating a symphony of nature. Clevedon Scenic Reserve is not only a haven for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts but also a perfect spot for picnics, offering secluded areas to relax and soak in the tranquil atmosphere. Discover the charm of Clevedon Scenic Reserve, where the beauty of New Zealand's natural landscapes unfolds in a tranquil setting, providing a rejuvenating experience for those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Hunua Falls, nestled in the lush Hunua Ranges of New Zealand, is a picturesque natural gem that captivates visitors with its breathtaking beauty. Cascading gracefully over rugged cliffs, the falls create a mesmerizing display of flowing water amidst pristine native bush. The surrounding Hunua Ranges Regional Park offers a haven for nature enthusiasts, providing a network of walking tracks that wind through ancient forests and offer stunning panoramic views. A popular destination for both locals and tourists, Hunua Falls invites visitors to embrace the tranquillity of its surroundings. The crystal-clear waters of the falls beckon those seeking a refreshing dip, and the area is a haven for picnickers looking to unwind in the serene atmosphere. Birdsong fills the air as native flora and fauna flourish in this untouched landscape. Whether you're an avid hiker, a nature lover, or simply in search of a peaceful escape, Hunua Falls offers a rejuvenating retreat where the symphony of water and nature harmonize to create an unforgettable experience. This natural wonder stands as a testament to the pristine beauty that New Zealand's landscapes have to offer.