About Auckland Counties Manukau
Only 30 minutes train journey from Auckland’s City Centre, Manukau is the heart of Auckland’s south, a vibrant cosmopolitan centre and home to the largest Polynesian community in the world.
The close proximity to Auckland City and the North Shore mean that the attractions within the regions are all easily accessible.
Within the Region
- Otara Market, New Zealand’s largest street market.
- Family attractions including Rainbow’s End, New Zealand’s largest theme park, mini golf, paintball, go karting, bike riding and a rope course.
- The Pasifika Festival. An annual event exploring the authentic villages representing different Pacific Island nations.
- Auckland Botanic Gardens
- Butterfly Creek. A tropical butterfly house full of hundreds of colourful, free-flying butterflies, plus huge saltwater crocodiles and cute farm animals.
- Rangitoto Island. A dormant volcano not far from downtown Auckland accessible by kayak, boat or ferry. Walk up the old lava flows to the summit for spectacular views across the harbour and back to the city.
- The Coast to Coast Walkway. Crosses New Zealand's narrowest neck of land. Start in Viaduct Harbour on Auckland’s east coast and travel west through urban landscapes, beautiful parklands and over dormant volcanoes to finish 16km later at Manukau Harbour.
- Beaches. Lots. East coast beaches – golden sand, west coast beaches - rugged black-sand surf beaches
- Waiheke Island. Beautiful island beaches and some 30 wineries, all a 30-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland.
- Kelly Tarlton’s SEALIFE Aquarium. As well as the world’s only display of Spiny Sea Dragons, this hosts the biggest species of stingray on the globe
- Auckland Museum. Discover more than 1000 Maori taonga (treasures) at the largest collection in New Zealand (and the world).
- Great Barrier Island. The first island in the world to be designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary – joining only two other locations. The island is off the grid and with minimal outdoor lighting.
- Regional Parks. Auckland has 26 regional parks. Find the perfect picnic spot, book one of the popular BBQ sites, take a walk through the forest, stroll along the coast or take a dip in the sea
