Auckland City

 

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Accident and Emergency Centres |    Cafes and Restaurants  |   Other Places Close By   |   Parks and Reserves    |    Party Venues and party supplies    |  Things to do   |   

 

Welcome to Auckland City, the home of the  Skytower, Kelly Tarlton's and the Museum in the Domain. Auckland offers parents with children a vast array of  family activities. With a wide range of parks around the central city and its suburbs there is always something to do. 

 

Even on rainy days you can find a number of different activities to take your children to!   There are many different activities to do indoors. Start with a visit to the Auckland War Memorial Museum situated in the Domain. It features an interactive area for the children to play and learn in. A visit to Kelly Tarlton's and see live penguins, sharks, stingrays and many more exciting fish is a must while your in Auckland.

 

Motat is right next door to Western Springs Park. If you have children interested in miniature trains, Motat has a small display, or have a look at a wide range of fire trucks, cars, buses and so much more (both an indoor and outdoor venue). The Motat Tram runs from the Auckland Zoo, past Western Springs and to the Motat entrance, and is an fun activity to do with the children.   

 

Victoria Park Market is an interesting place to visit, just down the road from the Sky Tower and has something for everyone, including a McDonalds!

The Sky Tower was completed in 1997 and stands a staggering 328m (1,076ft) tall. You can take the  children up the tower and from the main observation deck you can look down at the ground below you through the glass panels that make up part of the floor!

The National Maritime Museum is located at the Viaduct Basin, along with the KZ1 challenger yacht which was the New Zealand boat that in 1988 challenge the America's Cup. Inside the museum you will see a great collection of photographs and models reflecting New Zealand's love with the sea.

For a different way to see central Auckland why not take the children for a bus ride. The Link bus offers the best and cheapest way to get around. It stops at Sky City, Queen Street, War Memorial Museum, Auckland Domain and Parnell and the railway station.

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Parks and Reserves

Auckland City  |  Parnell  |  Mission Bay  | Ponsonby   |  Western Springs  |  Pt. Chevalier  | Epsom  |  Greenlane  | Onehunga

 

Around Auckland City

The Auckland Domain is the home of the Auckland Museum, the Winter Gardens are a hidden gem that are worth a look and much more. It is accessible from several streets including Grafton Road in the city or Broadway  at the Parnell end. Besides the museum you can feed the ducks at the duck pond or find a shady tree and relax and enjoy the space. This park is very close to the Auckland Hospital and Starship if you happen to need to visit these hospitals.

 

Victoria Park is maybe best known for the shops across from it called the Victoria Park Markets. This park has a playground and sports field with public toilets available. Parking is metered and it is a busy road so care should be taken to keep an eye on younger children. McDonalds is in the market if you get a bit peckish along with many other tasty treats.

 

If visiting the University or the Art Gallery in central Auckland then a pleasant walk can be enjoyed in Albert Park. Access is along Kitchener Street, Wellesley Street, Bowen Street and Princess Street.

 

Myers Park is towards the top end of Queen Street and has public toilets near Greys Ave, which is off Mayoral Drive. 

 

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Parks around Parnell and Mission Bay

Parnell's beautiful Rose Gardens,  in Dove-Myers Robinson Park, are a treat to  see. There is a park  across from there on Gladstone Road that has a good children's playground. Public toilets are available in the Dove-Myers Robinson Park.

 

Walking, biking or roller blading along Tamaki Drive is a great way to fill in the morning and do a bit of people gazing at the same time.  

 

Okahu Bay, along Tamaki Drive has a great beach with public toilets and a children's playground across the road. This is a busy road and children should be supervised. 

 

Along Tamaki Drive, heading to Mission Bay, take a  Right onto Hapimana Street  to Savage Memorial Park which has a great outlook over Rangitoto Island. 

 

Mission Bay has a great childrens playground and is Situated just behind the Mission Bay Stone House. This is part of the water front reserve with a large water fountain and a great path to walk along as you gaze out over the water. The kids can even choose just to play in  the

sand as the beach is right here as well.

 

Churchill Park is in St Heliers/Glendowie and is accessible via Riddell Road which runs off to the left of Bay Road. To get to Bay Road go to the end of Tamaki Drive and take Vale Road. 

 

Ferry Service

The following is a useful website, if you're looking for a ferry service from Downtown Auckland or Waiheke Island to Beachlands. www.pineharbour.co.nz 

 

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Parks around Ponsonby, Western Springs and Pt Chevalier: 

 

Point Erin Park: By the on and off ramp to the Northern Motorway, go down Shelly Beach Road and turn left into Sarsfield Street. Has public toilets and swimming pool (outdoor).

 

Western Park: Take the Wellington Street, you will  pass Freebays School and then turn left at the lights  onto Hepburn Street. You can access the park from Beresford Street, Tahuna Street or Smith Street or  Ponsonby Road. Tahuna Street has direct access to the playground, however as the Freemans Bay Kindy is here, avoid parking in this area around pick up and drop off  times during school terms.  

 

Grey Lynn Park: This is a neat park (okay I've used this one heaps!). In summer it has a free pool very suitable for toddlers, with a supervisor available. It has a flying fox, heaps of space to ride bikes around, suitable skate board area, great childrens playground and public toilets. Accessible from many streets but Williamson Avenue should give you the best access for parking and is closest to the playground and flying fox.  

 

Salisbury Road Reserve has a small  playground, suitable for younger family members. Access is via Salisbury Road, off Jervois Road. 

 

Cox's Bay Park: This park is the local  sports ground and you may find it difficult to get a park during Saturdays  rugby and soccer games, otherwise it has a good playground and public toilets. Take the children for a walk along the boardwalk at the far end of  the park and see the mangroves.  

 

Western Springs is a wonderful park to take the children to. Enter either at the Auckland Zoo end where car  parking is available and only 5 minutes walk to the playground or near Motat You may choose to walk around the park, which is suitable for pushchairs and takes about 20 minutes.  

 

A trip to Point Chevalier brings you to Coyle Park. This has an excellent playground with large grassy areas for running around on or having a picnic. Public toilets are available and on the west side of the park you can wander down to the Pt. Chevalier Beach.  To get there take the Great North Road and turn down Pt Chevalier Road. Drive until you come to the end about a seven or eight minute drive. 

 

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Parks around Epsom, Greenlane and Onehunga. 

 

A visit to One Tree Hill is a must entering either at the Greenlane Road entrance (four minutes off the Greenlane Exit on the motorway) or on Manukau Road, Epsom and you are welcomed into Cornwall Park. This is truly a lovely place to unwind. With picnic areas throughout the park you can either kick a ball, sit back and soak up the sun, take the children for a walk up to the top of the hill to view Auckland, or play in the playground that has recently been done up. 

 

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Cafes and Restaurants

Atomic Cafe

Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby. 

This great cafe has a children's sandpit at the back, so you can watch your children while enjoying your coffee.

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Above picture: Playground at Western Springs, Grey Lynn, Auckland.

Things to do

 

Artstation (Crafts)

1 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby.

Ph: 09 376 3221

www.akcity.govt.nz/artstation 

For the artist in your child, visit the artstation in Ponsonby. This venue also doubles as a party venue for a maximum of 12 children.

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Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)

Great North Road, Western Springs

Freephone 0800 668 286 or 09 815 5800 www.motat.org.nz

A great day out for the whole family. Make sure you enjoy the tram ride between the two display areas.

 

Auckland Zoo

Motions Road, Western Springs

Ph: 09 360 3805 www.aucklandzoo.co.nz

Great zoo that parents and children will love.

 

Chipmunks

6  Carr Road, Mt Roskill, Auckland City. 

Ph: 09 624 4345. 

Enjoy watching your children have fun while you relax with a refreshing drink from our cafe.  

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Sky City Auckland Ltd

Cnr Victoria and Federal Streets,Auckland City. 

Ph: 09 363 6000   

Web: www.skytower.co.nz 

Ascend in glass fronted lifts for spectacular views from the tallest building in the southern hemisphere. There's also always something exciting happening during School holidays.

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Stardome Observatory
Ph:09 624 1246    

Web: www.stardome.org.nz
There is something magical about the night sky and where else would you go to find out more about our universe than Stardome Observatory.

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Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World

23 Tamaki Drive, Oraki, Auckland. Ph: 09 528 0603

Fax: 09 528 5175  

Email: ktinfo@kellytarltons.co.nz

Web: www.kellytarltons.co.nz

Explore the wilds of Antarctica and see colonies of King and Gentoo Penguins, watch them play in real ice and snow, swim and plunge beneath the ice cap, then travel deep beneath the ocean, see gaint stingray, moray eels and come face to face with the awesome predators of the deep - SHARKS - only centimeters away.

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Auckland War Memorial Museum

Auckland Domain, Auckland City.   

Ph: 09 309 0443

Web: www.aucklandmuseum.com

Come and see a wonderful museum that has a special area for children. This is a fantastic place to take the children and they will have hours of fun as they learn about their past and much more. Highly recommended. 

 

New Zealand National Maritime Museum

Hobson Wharf, Viaduct Harbour, Downtown Auckland

Freephone 0800 725 897 www.nzmaritime.org

New Zealand museum of boating history. Great for children five years and over.

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Hoyts Cinemas

4th floor, 120 Mayoral Drive, Auckland City

Ph: 09 303 2739 

Web: www.hoyts.co.nz 

Enjoy the latest movies with your family at Hoyts. Check daily papers, phone or website for what's showing and when.

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Berkeley Cinemas

85 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay.  

Ph: 09 521 9222 (movie line) 

Web: www.berkeleycinemas.co.nz 

Enjoy movies with your family. Check our movie line for times and pictures currently showing.

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Paint the Earth

Memorial Square, Lynn Mall Shopping Centre, Great North Road, New Lynn. 

Ph: 09 826 3691

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Auckland Zoo

Auckland Zoo has changed a lot in the last few years and now offers and is a fantastic place to visit. See the sealions and penguin  swimming from an underground viewing room, the lions with their large display window to get a close up but safe look. Remember to take some wet weather gear if there looks like rain as there is not a lot of rain shelter at the zoo. Auckland Zoo is only minutes from central Auckland.     

 

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Tour operators

Discover the waters around Auckland with www.360discovery.co.nz or www.dolphinexploer.com and www.fullers.co.nz

 

Pride of Auckland

Corner Quay and Hobson Streets

Ph: 09 373 4557 www.prideofauckland.com

 

Sail NZ

Viaduct Harbour

Freephone 0800 397 567

 

Ferg's Kayaks

12 Tamaki Drive, Okahu Bay - Near Mission Bay

Ph: 09 529 2230 www.fergskayaks.co.nz

Hire a kayak or take a guided tour

Auckland Harbour Bridge

Westhaven Reserve, Westhaven Marina

Freephone 0800 462 5462 www.aucklandbridgeclimb.co.nz

Restricted to children over the age of 7 years, 115 centimetres or taller and weigh no less than 35 kilograms.

Auckland Bungy

Westhaven Reserve, Curran Street, Herne Bay

Freephone 0800 462 8649 www.ajhackett.com

If you wish to jump off the Harbour Bridge then you need to be a least 10 years of age, 35 kilomethre or more and 115 centimetres and you can do it with AJ Hackett!

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Party Venues and Party Supplies

Artstation (Crafts)

1 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby.

Ph: 09 376 3221

www.akcity.govt.nz/artstation 

For the artist in your child, visit the Artstation in Ponsonby. This venue also doubles as a party venue for a maximum of 12 children.

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"We Bring The Party To You" - 1st, 5th & 10th Birthday Party Specialists. Food, Cake, Loot Bags, Entertainment Referrals, Kids Tables & Chairs, Adults Food & More. Auckland Wide.

From 10 to 500+ Children. Private Booking or Corporate, We Can Do It All. Delivered Direct From Our "A Grade" Commercial Kitchen To Your Home, Venue or Work.

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In Emergencies

For emergencies requiring Police, Ambulance or Fire 

dial 111

 

Hospitals

Auckland Hospital and Starship Children's Hospital are located off Park Road across the Grafton Bridge. Parking is limited, however paid parking is available. At the Starship Hospital there is a creche available for parents who have children as outpatients. Contact the hospital or visit them at their web address:  www.starship.org.nz  

or  www.starship.org.nz/healthinfo

 

North Shore Hospital is located just off the Northern Motorway in Takapuna. Turn left into Taharoto Road then  right into Shakespeare Road.

 

Greenlane and National Women's Hospital are both located at Greenlane. National Women's is the main maternity hospital for the central Auckland area. Access is either by Claude Road (for National Women's) or Greenlane West for Greenlane Hospital. 

 

Waitakere Hospital is located on Lincoln Road and has a maternity unit attached to it. 

 

Middlemore Hospital has a Children's Hospital (Kidz First) and is located off Hospital Road.

 

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