Auckland is a city that has it all. And, New Zealand’s largest city portrays the country’s clean green reputation through numerous parks in Auckland. We find them scattered everywhere, from the more obvious edges of the region to the heart of the city.
Each Auckland park is unique, with its own dynamic personality and features. Yet, they all provide a welcome escape from the city life that surrounds them. While we focus here on the parks in Auckland that feature hiking or walking trails and natural beauty, there are also parks for relaxing, swimming, children’s play, and even dog parks.
Some of the parks here feature it all. After all, Auckland is a city of people who work hard and play harder. We need our open spaces, and we, as a nation, take full advantage of the opportunities presented.
Below are what we consider to be the 18 best parks in Auckland for walking, hiking, views, or nature. We divided the list into four regions – central, north, south, and west. I know we didn’t get every park, and not even every large park . . . just our favourites.
Parks in Auckland Central
Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill Domain
Many locals consider Cornwall Park amongst the best parks in Auckland. Tall trees, native birds, and wide-open spaces are just the beginning in the largest green space in the city, which also includes the One Tree Hill Domain.
Cornwall Park is a quiet place for a picnic or an opportunity to get some exercise. Various groups meet in the park weekly, practising different skills, from Tai Chi to sword fighting.
Also in Cornwall Park are massive trees, rolling paddocks (many with sheep and/or cows), the Cornwall Park Café, historic buildings, a bistro, walking tracks, and multiple playgrounds. Be sure to climb the extinct volcanic cone of One Tree Hill for fabulous views and historical information. And if you visit in the evening, don’t miss the Stardome Observatory.
Western Springs Lakeside Park
Black swans glide over the natural, spring-fed lake at Western Springs Lakeside Park. It is home to the Auckland Zoo and the Western Springs Stadium.
Nearby, we find the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), Chamberlain Park Golf Course, and Jagger’s Bush where I spotted several colourful mushrooms.
Dove-Myer Robinson Park
Most locals and visitors know this one as the Parnell Rose Garden. Visit from late spring to early autumn to see some of the 5,000+ roses that bloom here annually. However, anytime, the park is beautiful, well-manicured, and relaxed.
Auckland Domain
The Auckland Domain is the city’s oldest park, as well as one of the largest. It is built around the cone of the extinct Pukekawa volcano and is home to hiking trails, a duck pond, the Auckland Museum, a café, the Wintergardens, a natural amphitheatre, sports fields, and Auckland City Hospital. Catch the park at the right part of springtime to enjoy the cherry blossoms.
Albert Park
Just a few blocks off of Queen Street, the benches around the Victorian fountain in Albert Park are one of my favourite spots for people watching. The park is surrounded by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and the city’s two major universities (The University of Auckland and AUT – Auckland University of Technology).
While Albert Park is a great place to hang out during the day, I have been advised against randomly walking through Albert Park at night. (We have also been advised to avoid Myers Park in Auckland CBD at night.)
Mount Eden
The summit of Mt Eden, an extinct volcano, is the highest natural point in Auckland, offering an impressive 360-degree view. However, it is the 50-metre-deep crater that attracts many visitors to this spot.
Parks in Auckland: North of Auckland City
Across the harbour bridge, we included parks on the North Shore, Hibiscus Coast, and farther north up to Tāwharanui.
Shakespear Regional Park
This is my personal home away from home. An open bird sanctuary, it is my favourite of the Auckland Regional Parks. It provides hours of hiking trails, three beaches (more depending on the tides), bouncing spring lambs, cows, campsites, and even a waterfall. Surrounded by a predator-proof fence, the park is now the only mainland home to Little Spotted Kiwi Birds.
Shakespear Park Auckland is at the end of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. It is close to my home and has won my heart.
Tāwharanui Regional Park
Photo Credit: ©Sarah Albom. All right reserved.
Another park with a predator-proof fence, there are critically endangered takehe now living here. Takahe look a bit like plump Pukeko, with a larger and more pronounced beak. They were actually thought to be extinct from 1898 to 1948. It’s quite rare to see them, even at the few places where they have been reintroduced.
Tāwharanui is home to hours of hiking trails, a campsite, and one of Auckland’s most beautiful beaches. The downside is that it’s not that easy to get there without a vehicle, and even with one, it will take a while.
Chelsea Estate Heritage Park
One of the more recent walking trails we have discovered, the pathway through Chelsea Estate Heritage Park goes through native forest, passes wetlands, borders the Chelsea Sugar Refinery, and offers spectacular views back to Auckland. Although managed by Auckland Council, it is a significant historic reserve.
The trail is in Birkenhead.
North Head
Once a military lookout site, this beautiful reserve still has bunkers, cannons, and tunnels to explore. Being on the north side of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, the site provides one of my favourite views of Auckland City.
North Head is located in Devonport.
Mahurangi Regional Park
Photo Credit: ©Sarah Albom. All right reserved.
The campgrounds at Mahurangi West are also stunning. Sarah camped at the Te Muri campsite here. It’s another of the clean, green Auckland Regional parks with an inviting beach.
Parks in South Auckland
This region includes all parks south and east of the central city, including Manukau, Howick, and Papakura. Much of this is a new area of exploration for us. Absolutely lovely and filled with magnificent hikes, regional, parks, beaches, and history, we instantly fell in love with South Auckland.
Hunua Ranges Regional Park
The Hunua Ranges cover over 400 square kilometres of lush green forest. The Hunua Falls are about 60 km southeast of central Auckland. Popular with families, the park offers hours of hiking trails, campsites, and a waterfall into a swimming hole. Currently, some sections of the Hunua Ranges Regional Park are closed to visitors to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease affecting the trees.
Āwhitu Regional Park
The Āwhitu regional park is situated along one of the white sand beaches of the eastern coast of the Āwhitu peninsula in the southwest of Auckland. Rolling hills rise up and there are several trails to enjoy. We walked about 90 minutes across the sand, across fields, through forested areas, and along a boardwalk safely positioned over wetlands.
We also explored the Brooks Homestead on the property. It’s a nice day with well-marked trails and several loop options.
Just beyond the park, at the end of the peninsula, is the Manukau Heads lighthouse. Here is the memorial to the HMS Orpheus, New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster to date. And if you follow to the western side you will discover several black sand beaches.
Ōmana Regional Park
Boardwalks and dirt trails led us along the Beachlands Maraetai Walkway in Ōmana Regional Park. While parts were bush walk, we found ourselves equally engaged with spectacular coastal views. We visited at low tide, so swimming wasn’t really an option.
Duder Regional Park
Another large regional park located on a peninsula, the views of the Tamaki Strait and out to the islands of the Hauraki Gulf are spectacular. With water often visible from both sides, it has a bit of an island feel. We visited in the springtime and were enchanted by the lambs.
Parks in West Auckland – Waitakere Ranges
Heading out to the parks in West Auckland will surely bring you to the Waitakere Ranges, the subtropical rainforest of the region. The park is the spiritual home of the Te Kawerau a Maki, the local kaitaki or guardians of the land.
Like the Hunua Ranges, some portions of the park are currently closed to hiking to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease from killing the trees. You’ll want to start your visit at the Arataki Visitor’s Centre.
Karekare
From beach to waterfall, there is a popular and fairly easy walking track here, although you will want to check that it is open before heading out. We visited last time just before sunset and found the warm colours of the golden hour created a photographer’s paradise.
Muriwai Regional Park
Muriwai is often our primary destination when we head to the Waitakere Ranges for the day. From August to March, thousands of breeding gannets nest here before returning with their chicks to Australia. There are hiking trails near the viewing platforms, but the area is best known for the birds and the black sand beach.
Piha
Ask any local, and they will tell you that Piha is Auckland’s most popular surfing beach. In fact, its big surf made it ideal for the reality-style TV show Piha Rescue.
The massive outcropping called Lion Rock (in the image below) separates Piha beach from Little Piha beach. A steep track up offers lovely views of Piha as well as Māori carvings. Note that the top portion of Lion Rock is currently considered unsafe for walking.
More on Auckland parks
- To protect vulnerable kauri trees, which are under threat of kauri dieback disease, there are shoe-cleaning stations in many of the parks. Visitors are asked to clean their shoes both on the way in, and on the way out.
- While many of the parks are home to ducks, feeding them bread is discouraged as it causes algae bloom.
- If you have children, be sure to check Auckland for kids for a list of Auckland skateparks and playgrounds.
- Check the complete list of Auckland regional parks for more options.
More from Auckland you might like
… starting with these 75 free and nearly free things to do in the city
Devesh
Nice post.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Loved your blog!
Ryan K Biddulph
All look beautiful Rhonda. We did a bit of wandering around Auckland but not through too many parks. We stuck to one marina, and also chilled around one of the main drags in the city. Methinks a walk through one of these parks would be fun when we do eventually return to NZ, and Auckland.
Ryan
Anda
New Zealand seems to have it all indeed, like California. I think we are blessed to live in such beautiful countries. My husband had a 36 hour layover in Aukland many years ago and he visited one of these parks. I still have the pictures. So many beautiful parks here! My favorite from your list is probably Ōmana Regional Park. Hope to see the all someday.
Rob + Ann
We do love a good park or garden, and wow…these are spectacular! Auckland Domain, in particular, strikes us as a great place to wander. We’d also love to get some hiking in at Hunua Ranges Regional Park. Thanks for putting these wonderful green spaces on our radar!
Paul Pietrangelo
Rhonda, I loved the Hunua Ranges Regional Park with it’s waterfall but I loved all of them. Something about parks makes me feel alive. See ya my friend.
Cruisin Paul
Cosette
Auckland has a lot of beautiful parks, an itinerary in itself for visiting when your in Auckland. Must be great to have these close by.
Amy Franks
North Head and Mount Vic are probably the most iconic on the north shore, growing up with them I know them well. We are planning to stop at Mount Eden on our holiday next year.
Alissa A Apel
I love the gold that pops through the trees in that first image. What a beautiful place!
Devesh
Wow, there are some incredibly skilled artists
Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Loved your blog!
Carol
so many wonderful places to take a walk – lovely!
Lydia C. Lee
Fingers crossed we’ll get there next year! Great list!
Nancy
Fascinating post – yours always are! Beautiful parks
Nina Clapperton
I miss the domain so much. I used to use it as an office when I lived in Auckland. It was so lovely
Jenni
I’ve been to Auckland but missed most of these as I was there so briefly. I love NZ though. From all the countries in the world it reminds me of Finland. Funny thing, “piha” in Finnish means a yard. I gotta check out Piha Rescue! 😀
Kelly
That first tree is incredible! Have a great week!
Debbie D.
Such beauty, all captured magnificently on camera! ♥ Australia and New Zealand are definitely on the bucket list. Thank you for sharing another fabulous travelogue.
Melanie williams
I am loving all your photos!! I would be happy to visit any of these parks, as I love the great outdoors xx
vidya
great photos! and New Zealand is on our must-visit list… The Hunau falls look beautiful
Luci
Oh wow, that so beautiful. It doesn’t even look real, looks more like from a movie or book. That tree is wicked looking. Now I have to go to New Zealand.
Lisa Murano
You have some beautiful parks there! I would love to see the black swans at Western Springs Lakeside Park. I’ve never seen black swans….although we do have white ones that come to our dock every morning. The Wintergarden looks amazing also. Is that a greenhouse?
Rhonda Albom
Yes, there are two giant greenhouses. One is tropical and the other grows New Zealand subtropical plants and flowers.
Christine Weis
What beautiful sites and photos! Such beautiful parks…looks so relaxing and close to all things nature! Thanks for sharing!
Cyndi Buchanan
New Zealand is on my wish list of places to visit. I’ll have to visit Auckland. So many neat places you have featured here.
Z. R. Southcombe
Cornwall park is my favourite, as it’s so close to where I live now. I also take a walk through Keith Hay Park and up Mt Roskill sometimes. It’s not quite as nice a park as Cornwall – but the view from the top is still worth the walk.
Julie K Pick
Love the sculpture and those amazing trees! I’ve never seen anything like them before.
Anonymous
wooow…also love the parks and green public space like that. Surely what we need for fresh air and clean earth.
Elen @ Elen G
That statue would surprise me, too. It’s grand! Most interesting all around.
Joyce
Very nice. Enjoy your fall.
Charlotte
Gorgeous parks and pictures! I love the tree with the amazing stem at Auckland Domain.
Amy
I grew up in Auckland and haven’t been to those parks in many years 🙂
Sia McKye
I think parks are so very important in urban areas and I’ve seen many interesting ones. They give you breathing space and remind you of the gift of beauty we have around us.
I absolutely LOVE that tree in Aukland Domain. Oh the stories it could tell!
Nagzilla
Here in the Twin Cities we are blessed with lots of parks, many of them with lakes. Which, since we live in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, shouldn’t be that big of a surprise. But even our own little suburb has a lot of small parks and greenbelts and walking trails, which makes it very easy to enjoy the outdoors when it’s nice.
Hilary
Hi Rhonda … these parks look amazing … I’d love to visit – just got to get to NZ sometime! We’re extraordinarily lucky that London has its Royal Parks .. great acreage and lots of local parks, as well as masses of gardens …
… we might be a nation of shopkeepers – but we are a nation of gardeners too … and becoming more aware of what’s necessary to conserve our lands …
Cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom
I do remember the parks and gardens in London, it’s much more tidy than New Zealand.
C. Lee McKenzie
Parks are such treasures. Thank goodness people have had the foresight to set aside space for us to roam and enjoy.
I loved the sculpture and those immense trees. I could sit under one of those and read all day.
Comedy Plus
Not anymore. Most of our parks have been taken over by gangs or the homeless or both. Most folks don’t visit the parks anymore.
Have a fabulous day Rhonda. 🙂
Tyrean Martinson
Wow! I would love to visit those parks. We do have some beautiful areas near us, as well. We live on a peninsula so there are some beautiful beach access parks within minutes of our house, and the city we live in has a nice walk along the waterfront in the harbor. We also live just 10 miles from one of the biggest metro parks in the United States, although it is technically in a different city. Point Defiance Park is second only to Central Park in size for a metro park – it’s a great place to walk, bike ride, beach comb, hike through trees, visit flower gardens, or see an award-winning zoo and aquarium. It also has some nice open grassy areas for play.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
These photos were amazing. We don’t have trees around Amherstburg that excite like the trees that you showed in your blog. The one in Albert Park was unbelievable. As a child I would have loved to climb this one.
Have a wonderful Friday Rhonda. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Chrys Fey
Albert Park looks amazing! I love that sculpture. And look at those trees! I love trees. I’d just be walking around snapping hundreds of pictures of those gorgeous trees.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Those trees are amazing.
Lots of cosplay in your parks.
Tim H
Those trees are both interesting, like a bunch of rooted elephant trunks. They also look fun to climb.
stevebethere
Beautiful and looks so nice and peaceful unlike my local Hyde Park, love that sculpture how brilliant is that 🙂
Hope alls OK there saw that there was a earthquake there
J.L. Campbell
We don’t have a lot of parks, but the one we have in the capital city isn’t as restful. Nice pictures.
Anabel
Great parks – so important to a city. I love the trees and the sculptures. Obviously it takes a while to grow trees that spectacular, but sculpture in parks is something that more should do now!