I probably like Milford park more than the average punter because I grew up down the road…read more Throughout my childhood, I spent many a day at Milford Park climbing the trees, playing BYC and go home stay home. Trip down memory lane aside, Milford Park is still a great spot to bring the kiddies. There is a freshly painted, bright blue playground, toilets, BBQ pits AND the Beach is right next door. Not to mention in Summer there is frequently concerts or outdoor movie screenings. Oh, and for all those runners out there every Wednesday night there is a fun run that leaves from the Milford Cruising Club in the park and goes to Takapuna and back for only $7 ($3 for kids), free drink included!

I shouldn't review the park as high as I would prefer to keep this to myself - but better to be…read morehonest. A good little suburban park - good parking, safe kids playground, beach volleyball courts and the beach a hop and a skip away. The Creek provides a bit of action if the tide is in as the yachts and fisher boats trailing and out over the 4 hours of tide. Good takeouts and coffee close by in Milford and it is not surprising the number of people who get fish and chips from PJs (another secret) and eat them on the picnic tables worth a visit

One of the best parks around in a busy residential area. I've been living in this area for nearly 8…read moreyears (or more can't even remember now!) and they just keep improving this park for the better. They have developed this awesome bike track for kids, complete with ramps and bridges and round about with stop signs (to teach them early about driving haha) and from the looks of it, all the kids in the neighbourhood LOVE it. I have tried skateboarding on this track and it's definitely harder so stick to scooters and bikes. The "big kids" playground is so EPIC with flying foxes (can never get too old for this but can be too tall as my bottom and legs will graze the bark), miniature climbing wall, tall tunnel slide, bridges, monkey bars oh my gosh you name it. Don't fret! There's a miniature playground for the little ones that's more safe and to a smaller scale and and really cool swings (for babies, toddlers or the big kids like myself! ) For the adults or the more adventurous kiddies there's a forestry/bush walk that really cool to have in a residential jungle. And they've cleaned it up, made better, stronger and wider walking paths. There's a big field for soccer, lacrosse, rugby etc and biggish public toilets next to it. A big pond with water coming in from the harbour and ducks (sometimes cute little ducklings) swimming lounging around and sometimes people race their remote boats in it too! There's a public BBQ by the miniature playground and also on weekends there's a coffee and ice cream truck on standby! There's just so much going on in this park that you can never get bored and probably never want to leave until someone has to drag you out hahaha

Silde fast. Fields big. Pump track long good. Swings good. Coming back tomorrow. Flying fox more…read morelike zooming fox.

What used to be a grassy knoll with a lone bommyknocker tree has been transformed into a great…read morespace for locals to enjoy their lunch. There's still plenty of grass but there's also additional seating in the form of tiered bench seats, wooden recliners and large communal tables - perfect for enjoying an ice cream from Movenpick or better yet, fresh sushi from Bian. Reading a book, eating your packed lunch or waiting for a table at a nearby cafe, whatever your jam...Hurstmere Green's got you covered!

It's taken some time but it is great to finally see a central common area in Takapuna. The…read moreHurstmere Green looks great and is the perfect place to sit down in the sun to read a book or simply people watch. The council seem to be taking amazing care of the area too. The only thing I believe they could add which would make the entire area more versatile is sheltered seats for intense summer days or when there is rain.

Marlborough Park in Glenfield has a little bit of everything for everyone. I love visiting for the…read moreplayground as it has a section of low tunnels and abacus balls for my preschooler to enjoy playing with; also swings and slides that suit the little and big kid. Not only are the children catered for, there is a basketball court, a skate bowl, a climbing frame, and even a flying fox. If your jogging in the area, why not pop in and work out on the free adult gym equipment? Fantastic park for a picnic on a warm sunny day, and with lots of trees is just really pretty to look at. Please don't miss the peace of Marlborough Park.

do NOT go to this beach. my whole family got bit by something and gave them red itchy bites just by…read moregoing in the water. Also we saw plenty of poisonous jellyfish which could've sent my babies to the hospital

Narrow Neck Beach is simply the most beautiful beach in Auckland !…read moreNear Devo, this beach is very large and quiet. Here, you will find clear water, fine sand not forgetting a wonderful view. But the photographs will talk better about it than a long explanation. Just the perfect place to go and relax after a working day.

I must admit Potters Park this morning was a saving grace, up early for a 6 km charity walk along…read morethe bays, the children needed a playground to kill the time with while we waited for the race to begin. Potters Park has a lovely grassy area perfect for kicking a ball about or flying a kite, and the most beautiful rose gardens on site. You can sit and read a book on the many benches available. I was very impressed with the playground as I have taken my toddler to a few places that have been only good for the over 2 1/2 age bracket, so for the mums who would love to see bub crawling, climbing and interacting with the playground a bit more heres your answer. Of course the park has bathrooms on site care of the council, and right next door is a large public pay and display car park which is free on the weekends, what a bonus. The Playground is only a small one, so if it is a busy time of day you might have to wait a bit for swings etc, however I recommend early on a saturday morning as on sunday the Anzac street carpark fills up with the Takapuna Sunday Markets.

Lake Pupuke was created by a volcanic eruption, aaaages ago. It was the same one that created that…read morecool Kauri fossil forest in between Takapuna Beach & Thorne Bay. Anyways, nowadays it's used for a flurry of activities in Summer. There's a windsurfing school down by Sylvian Park, plenty of kayakers and dragon boaters and even regular sailing and rowing competitions. Yes, you can swim at Lake Pupuke too but the sea at the Eastern end is only a couple of hundred metres away and is much nicer! The great thing about the lake is that if it's windy at the beach, 90% of the time it'll be calm at the lake and vice versa! I'll admit, I grew up around the corner so may be somewhat biased but I think it's an all round decent lake that's well-worth visiting for a summer picnic or water based activity!

A great secluded little beach that you can access through Minnehaha Ave or by walking along the…read morecoastal walk between Takapuna and Milford. There are a few road parks on Minnehaha and then it's just a short, steep concrete path through some bush onto the coastal concrete walkway until you reach the secret bay. There are rocks on either side that allow fisherman to try their luck- which we saw when we came one evening. There is a small bit of sand if you just want to lay down and also the shade of a tree if you are coming during the day time. We caught Thorne at a not so ideal swimming time with pretty strong waves that were pummelling us a bit and washing up a lot of seaweed- having said that it was still good fun. Would love to come back when it's a bit less rough though for sure. It's very pretty- can definitely say that A lovely, not so populated seaside spot- perfect daytime or evening.

This secluded beach has white sand, clear water and is an absolute favourite amongst locals. Walk…read morealong the coast from the larger, more populated Takapuna Beach past historic scoria reefs and petrified log holes and within 15 minutes you will find yourself at this hidden haven. Don't forget to pick up a coffee or an award winning liquorice ice cream from Takapuna Beach Cafe before you start. Fun Fact: If you are walking your dogs during low tide be sure to let them have a dip or drink in the fresh water rock pool towards the Southern end of the beach. The water trickles down from Lake Pupuke and the dogs just love it!

Great way to experience nature and learn from an experienced animal advocate. We did the night hike…read moreand it was thrilling to go thru the forest with Tristan. He provided a tasty picnic dinner near the beach. This was the last night of our 3 weeks in New Zealand and enabled us to end on a great non-touristy note. Highly recommend Tristan's tours.

Looking for a shore excursion off the beaten path in Auckland that would take me into nature and…read moreout of the city and after much research I settled on Habitat Tours. I am so glad I did. Tristan picked up my guest and I in the harbor downtown where our cruise ship was docked and off we went. We had opted for the Waitakere Half Day Tour which included a short hike through the beautiful sand dunes leading up to Lake Wainamu, a walk through the Cascade Kauri Park among the majestic and ancient Kauri trees, and some play time at Bethell's Beach to stroll the sands, wade into the waters, and take it all in (with tea and cookies waiting for us when we finished). It was just my guest and I on our tour so everything was tailored to us and very intimate. We loved chatting with our guide Tristan and we felt great about supporting a local small business. If we had more time we would have done a full day tour. Really just a fantastic day and would highly recommend Habitat Tours to anyone wanting to get out and explore nature around Auckland.

Another favourite with the dogs, Sylvan Park is located on the Northern side of Lake Pupuke and is…read moreless well-known than the South side, where the Pump house is. This suits both me and the dogs just fine. We are more than happy to roam the grassy embankment, play catch and discover new bush trails alone. Enter the park behind the tennis courts on Dodson Ave. Head down the RHS of the back courts and you will find yourself on a trail. Go right and you will end up at the back of Milford Primary (15 - 20mins), where there is a boat ramp if you want to go for a dip (too much swan poop for me - be each their own). Head left and you end up in an opening, which if you keep following round turns into the main part of the park. Here you will find toilets, BBQs and Madloop Windsurfing School. Whilst Sylvan Park ain't huge, it's a great daytime option during summer when our four legged friends are banned from the beaches!

Fantastic little inner city escape with lake beside it and away from the hustle of the city!read more