Nature & Wildlife Areas in Auckland Central

THE 10 BEST Auckland Central Nature & Wildlife Areas

Nature & Wildlife Areas in Auckland Central

Types of Attractions
Nature & Parks
Traveller rating
Good for
13 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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What travellers are saying

  • EdR_12
    Frimley, United Kingdom2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I've had a fantastic day. A small island turned into bird sanctuary heaven. Our guide was amazing. Worth payjng the small sum of $10nz for a guided tour.

    The guides know where the opportunity to see wildlife is the greatest, they can tell you a lot about the island and how it was turned into a sanctuary for rare species.

    Loved it. Great day trip.
    Suggest you book in advance.
    Make sure you bring water/drinks and lunch. You get free tea/coffee at the lighthouse and there's a lovely souvenir shop which they rely on as all goes back into the care of the island.
    Written 3 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • jojo
    Navi Mumbai, India1,767 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Truely amazing underwater views tunnel from Entry to Exit showing about 30 live awesome animal exhibits and wondrful habitants display. It was wonderful experiennce enjoyed penguins, fish,cafe, views, kids games, shops etc.A Day with the Life of Penguin Keeper was most liked. It was properly maintained and especially kids enjoyed most.
    Written 8 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jacqueline S
    42 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Spent about 2 hours here on a fairly overcast day. There’s plenty to keep young minds interested, we watched an enrichment feed session with the 4 otters. The Croc enclosures seem rather tiny and the actual croc looked rather plastic, even tho we saw one of them move it’s head and open it’s mouth there was still a feeling of not quite real for some reason. We did have an enjoyable time tho and stayed for lunch in your cafe.
    Written 24 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mackoygarcia
    Auckland, New Zealand21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pūweto Loop @ the Waitawa Regional Park was a little bit of everything- bushwalks, farmlands , hills and your own private cove 🏊‍♂️ for a proper cooldown. Just make sure you pack a sunhat and some sunscreen, and let your itchy feet guide you to breathtaking views.
    Written 28 February 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Aaron Richards
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Love being in this reserve, while walking around happened to come across a big boulder near the pond of the wetlands and went to visit it and was wondering if it has any significance I only say this as I noticed that it was pointing in the exact direction of Maungakiekie(One Tree Hill) and thought possibly it had a strong purpose for Tangata Whenua Maori back in the day or if it was placed there when the reserve was beautified
    Written 26 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Julie
    Melbourne, Australia207 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Walk my dog every day at this park. They’ve just added lights along all the paths meaning we can walk him all year round rather than just during the summer months when it’s light. I love this park and go at least five times a week. I would like to have seen more colourful planting but it’s green and typically New Zealand.
    Written 6 July 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Linda K
    Auckland Central, New Zealand735 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This tiny park half way up the steep hill from Customs St to the University or Albert Park is best known for its huge, old, sprawling pohutukawa (NZ Christmas trees). While they are at the best around Christmas, when they’re laden with red flowers, the trees are pretty incredible any time of year because of their sprawling nature that virtually takes up the whole park. The branches are so low and heavy that some of them are propped with poles. There are benches for a tranquil sit in the park and, in spring, daffodils in the grassy bits. Well worth a stop on your way up the hill for a little spot of Auckland history and flora. It isn’t a destination but it sure is a little bit of city refuge and tranquility.
    Written 1 September 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 422iana
    Dunedin, New Zealand3,123 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Finally, I got to do this walk, it has been on my list for a long time. I took the dog for a walk. You must keep dogs on a leash and are not allowed to swim at the beaches to not upset wildlife. The paths are really good, and I walked to Cockle Bay and back. Took about 1 1/2 hours, taking the long route, which is to the right of the main car park. The car park is small, so parked further along the road.
    Written 30 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • santo t
    Auckland, New Zealand7,589 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    From a private property then a farming, and then part of suburb development with great idea but failed and downgraded into proposed rubbish tip site before become a glory as a Nature Reserve with ponds, wetlands, bird’s migration place and coastal mangrove area. By the way, it is a really nice place for relax, strolling along the water front of Panmure Basin Estuary, see developed area at the opposite side with Half Moon Bay Ferry sailing to Waiheke, walking under the shade of trees, NZ native trees, on the prepared walkways, as well as wandering on the sandy low wet ground interspersed with mangroves. A bit on the hill there is Godwit Lookout for better platform to enjoy the stunning horizon below. A truly beautiful place for nature lovers. All for free.
    Written 3 January 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michelle S
    Auckland Central, New Zealand403 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Clevedon is 30 mins max from the Auckland CBD. The drive out there is something special.

    Take a trip to Clevedon, check out the scenic rural farmland views and forget about the stress of the City.

    Stop by and enjoy the Clevedon Village Markets and the Farmers Markets on a Sunday. Spend time having lunch at the local cafes and visit the little Art Shops and Gift stores.

    Hunua Waterfalls are close by as well. Take a picnic.

    Close by is Ardmore Airport, watch the Warbirds fly out.

    Just hop in the car and do it!

    My fave Sunday drive.

    Michelle S
    Auckland City
    Written 23 January 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 422iana
    Dunedin, New Zealand3,123 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We started on Gracechurch Drive and did not realise there was a main car park. This helped us as there was a short walk up the hill but then gave us a longer walk with a loop. The main path is concrete and can be accessed by wheelchairs and pushchairs but if your doing a loop walk there are a lot of stairs and can get muddy. Some nice views across the valley.
    Written 7 September 2015
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Wendy G
    Seattle, WA120 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    There are two places to start for the Mt. Auckland Highway -- both off of Highway 16. We walked it from the trail head off of Glorit-Kaipara Hills Rd (about 70 km North of Auckland).

    It's an easy trail to follow for the most part and well marked but it is not an easy walk. It is rated as an advanced tramping track but we found that most of the walk was suitable for less experienced hikers. There is one section that is very steep and we were glad we brought our walking sticks but for the most part we were fine.

    The trail starts out in farmland with a beautiful view over the Kaipara Harbour for the first 15-20 minutes. After that, you enter forest with Kauri and Puriri trees as well as other NZ flora. We heard several wood pigeons swooshing through the trees.

    Toward the summit (about 3.5km or 1 hour 45 minute walk from the start) you'll start seeing peekaboo views through the trees. At the summit you climb a wooden platform and are treated to great views across the harbour and forest. It isn't quite a 360 degree view as trees have grown up on one side but still a great treat. From there you head back to the start.

    We walked the whole thing in about four and a half or five hours. But we're not in the best shape and not avid hikers (getting there slowly). Others reportedly did it in less than 4 hours.
    Written 10 February 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Auckland Central