Auckland’s Waterfront and East Coast Bays

Eat, drink and catch a slice of history at Viaduct Harbour

With over 30 restaurants and bars, all within a five-minute walk, it’s hardly surprising that the Viaduct is a popular go-to spot for Aucklanders and tourists alike. There’s a real vibe here – one that changes as the day progresses, from late morning brunches and sun-soaked lunches, to nighttime dining with the bright city lights twinkling on the waters of the Basin.

You can dine at one of the open-air restaurants or go exploring (hire an electric bike from Big Street Bikers at 18 Viaduct Harbour Ave to add some environmentally friendly fun to your travels).

If you feel the sudden urge to do something sporty (without being too active of course), have a game of mini golf at Holy Moley Golf Club, with 27 unique holes to keep you entertained and challenged.

And if you fancy a slice of history with your meal, why not take some time out at The New Zealand Maritime Museum, with its fascinating array of exhibitions, galleries and water activities – all celebrating our country’s special connection with the sea. Entry to the museum is free for all Auckland residents with proof of address.

Family time at Silo Park and Wynyard Quarter

My kids loved heading to the Silo Park adventure playground when they were younger. It’s a great spot for some family bonding time. The ocean themed playground with sand and water adds a fun twist, and there’s lots to explore. Once the kids have burned off their energy and worked up an appetite, you can take a short stroll to one of the many restaurants and bars along Wynyard Quarter, where you can eat, relax and admire some stunning views of the harbour.

There are regular events and activities going on in the Quarter (including summer movies in Silo Park). Check out the Auckland Council website for details.

Visit The Cloud

Located at 89 Quay Wharf on Queen’s Wharf, this distinctive piece of the waterfront is only a ten minute walk from The Viaduct (an electric bike will get you there even faster). This unique piece of architecture was originally built to accommodate Rugby World Cup fans in 2011. The design represents Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud.

Enjoy a beach day out at St Heliers, Kohimarama and Mission Bay

Drive east from the city along Tamaki Drive and you’ll come to the charming seaside villages of Mission Bay, Kohimarama and St Heliers. They’re all connected by a wide shared path for walkers, runners and cyclists. So why not park at Mission Bay and go for a seaside stroll (if its sunny, don’t forget to pack your togs for an impromptu swim at one of the sandy beaches along the way).

Mission Bay has a vibrant beach, café and restaurant scene (there’s a movie theatre too). Kids will love sliding, climbing, spinning and rocking in the beachfront playground while you sit in the shade and enjoy views out over the harbour to Rangitoto Island and beyond. There’s a junior play area for toddlers too.  While you’re there, check out the famous Mission Bay art deco fountain, Melanesian Mission House and Millennium Bridge (which was built to celebrate the new millennium back in 2000).

Continue along Tamaki Drive to Kohimarama where you’ll find a quieter swimming beach and some lovely cafes. Then it’s off to St Heliers with even more cafes to choose from, and another great children’s playground by the sea. Public toilets are an easy walk from the beach.

Devonport Attractions

Catch the Ferry to Devonport

Take a relaxing ten minute ferry ride across the beautiful Waitemata harbour, and you’ll feel like you’re a world away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Many of the buildings retain the elegant architecture from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, which adds to this suburb’s distinctive ambiance.

Leave the Ferry building and you’ll find a shady park with a children’s playground and a cute sandy beach – the perfect setting for a relaxing family picnic. And then there are the eateries. There are lots of them, offering cuisine to satisfy any palette.

Discover our naval heritage at Torpedo Bay

Take a fifteen minute stroll along Devonport’s historic beachfront boulevard to the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, where New Zealand’s naval heritage comes vividly to life.

Interactive displays and fascinating exhibits make this an entertaining and informative visit for the whole family (my kids love going there). There’s a café with snacks, light meals and a great children’s menu, plus a playground with a distinctly nautical theme, where your kids can burn off some energy while you enjoy a latte and views of the harbour.

The museum is open 10am – 5pm seven days a week (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday). Entry is free for New Zealand residents. There is a $10 admission for international visitors aged 18 and over.

Waterfront Activities in Onehunga and Mangere Bridge

Bridges, pathways and open spaces galore at Onehunga Bay Reserve

Sitting between Onehunga township and the Manukau Harbour (the second largest natural harbour in New Zealand; Kaipara Harbour is the largest), the recently redeveloped Onehunga Bay Reserve is a sprawling, open space of parkland, playgrounds, native bush, beachfront and lagoon. The lagoon provides a perfect, placid surface for a variety of water sports and there’s a range of outdoor fitness equipment next to the playground if you want to tone up while the kids are playing.

There are toilets and changing rooms (including accessible), a car park, picnic tables, drinking fountains and seating around the park.

The main park can be accessed from Beachcroft Avenue. Park gates are open from 6am to 8am in Summer and 6am to 6pm in Winter.

There are two pedestrian bridges (one at either end of the Reserve) that take you across the South Western motorway to Taumanu Reserve (the main entrance is off Orpheus Drive if you want to go by car). This beautifully landscaped beachfront reserve provides stunning views of the Manukau Harbour and Mangere Mountain with its distinctive volcanic cone. There are bird colonies and a network of level pathways for easy walking and cycling.

Ngā Hau Māngere

The New Māngere Bridge

Continue along the path from Taumanu Reserve and you’ll reach the stunning new Mangere Bridge (the Bridge is in fact part of the Mangere Bridge to Onehunga Loop Walk). Named Ngā Hau Māngere (which means gentle, lazy winds), this pedestrian bridge was opened in 2022 and is a wonderful example of people-friendly design. The wide deck provides ample space for pedestrians, cyclists, people who want to fish and those who prefer to sit and admire the view (there are lots of different bench styles to suit families, small groups and individuals).

Artwork and design features along the bridge focus on the social, cultural and heritage values of the local communities.

The Kiwi Esplanade Walkway

This seven kilometre (one way) walkway follows the gentle contours of the Manukau Harbour Coastline, exploring the waterfront of Mangere Bridge before bringing you to the borders of Ambury Farm (a free-to-enter working farm that includes picnic and BBQ areas as well as paddocks where you can get up close to cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys and horses).

The area is rich in natural beauty and history (the area was settled by the Manu whenua over 1000 years ago – you can still see signs of early settlement at the nearby Mangere Mountain).

There’s lots of evidence of Auckland’s volcanic past along the way. And if you’re a bird watcher, you’ll have plenty to stare at, with hundreds of native and migratory birds resting on the shoreline or fossicking among the mud flats (take a pair of binoculars to get the maximum benefit of the birds on view).

The route is, on the whole, paved, flat and easy to walk, suitable for walkers with stable footwear (jandals is not a good idea). The Stonefields area is a bit rougher underfoot and there are some small hills.

You can reach the Esplanade via Mangere Bridge township – there are numerous roads leading to different points along the way.