Tahuna Torea is a unique, 25-hectare, wildlife reserve of mangrove lagoon and swampland sited on a long sandbank extending out into the Tamaki Estuary. Rich in Māori history as well as home to native birds and vegetation, Tahuna Torea means 'gathering place of the oystercatcher'. There are three main walking trails around the reserve that take around 1 hour 30 minutes, but you can enjoy a walk around the bush tracks or the lagoon in as little as 40 minutes.

Wai-O-Taiki Nature Reserve in Glen Innes is a bushy reserve that runs along the Tamaki Estuary, with a track connecting it to the larger Tahuna Torea reserve. Set in a grassy area off Fernwood Place you'll find a brand new playground that suits a variety of ages. The playground is fully fenced and has a bark play surface for safety.

Created in 1945 and named after British wartime prime minister Winston Churchill, Churchill Park comprises 40 hectares of rural landscape located in the heart of Glendowie. In keeping with its farming history, the park is managed as a ‘countryside in the city’, with open pastures on the upper slopes, and areas of woodland and bush on the lower slopes. The park also forms part of the walkway from Point England through Tahuna Torea and on to Glover Park and St Heliers.

Sitting adjacent to Wai O Taiki Reserve, the much larger Point England Reserve is located on the foreshore of the Tamaki Estuary, and offers 41 hectares of rural open spaces and sports fields. Built facilities include the Glen Innes Indoor Community Pool and Recreation Centre, plus there are barbecue areas and picnic tables, a playground, boardwalks and walking tracks, drinking fountains and toilets. There is also a designated dog exercise area.

Located at the far end of Tamaki Drive is St Heliers Bay, the last of a string of three sandy beaches that hug the southern shores of the Waitemata Harbour. St Heliers has a village-like atmosphere and enjoys safe swimming and a relaxed atmosphere, with a good selection of seaside cafés and eateries to choose from. For the more adventurous, head to the boat ramp for a guided sea kayaking tour of Auckland’s harbour and nearby islands.

Located between Mission Bay and St Heliers Bay is Kohimarama Beach, or ‘Kohi’ as it’s known locally. With fewer shops and cafés than its two neighbours, Kohi is often the quietest of the beaches on this piece of Auckland’s coastline. At high tide, swimming from its sandy beach is excellent. A popular yacht club at the St Heliers end of the beach is popular with adults and children alike.

Mission Bay, with its vibrant beachfront promenade and grassed reserve, is the most popular of these beaches along Tamaki Drive. In addition to its golden sands, safe swimming and spectacular views of the Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island, it also boasts some fine cafés and bars, and there’s even a classic Art Deco cinema, should the weather close in. If you’ve got the kids in tow, Kelly Tarlton’s Sealife Aquarium, with its giant walk-through aquarium, is just a kilometre down the road.

Located alongside the University of Auckland Tamaki Campus, Colin Maiden Park is one of Auckland’s premier sports grounds, and is home to Auckland University Rugby Football Club and Auckland University Cricket Club, as well as one of the home grounds for the Auckland Aces cricket team. In a new masterplan, recently approved by Auckland Council, facilities are to be upgraded and expanded to include purpose-built grounds and buildings for swimming, hockey, AFL, gymnastics, basketball and football, and indoor training facilities for hockey, cricket, rugby, football and AFL, plus playgrounds, walking tracks and water fountains.