The Ten Best Picnic Parks in Auckland

A picnic is a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors (al fresco or en plein air), usually in a park. Thus, knowing where the best picnic park near you is for that slim thirty minutes of sunshine you see on a Saturday is important.

Considering Auckland has 26 parks, some right in the city, some right out in the ‘burbs, you could spend that whole 30 minutes driving around frantically trying locate the closest to you, so as to enjoy said sunshine and picnic. But fear no more. This top picnic park list has been compiled, just so you can avoid such a quandary. Shall we begin?

Working clockwise from park number one, on the Western side of Auckland.

1. Western Springs Park

Western Springs is a wildlife sanctuary surrounding a natural spring-fed lake. Right next to Auckland Zoo, this park is perfect picnic material. Lots of lush green grass to lay your red and white chequered picnic blanket down, and if you have some bread left over from your sandwiches (maybe you know, you’re just ‘not a crust person’) there are 4 million birds to feed it to.

2. Western Park

This little gem can be found nestled in between Ponsonby Road and Howe Street in Freemans Bay, and considering its proximity to the bustling P Road it always seems empty. Situated in two merging gullies which run downhill with a huge flat area at the base of the park, you can picnic down on the flat in the sunshine, or hide up in the trees and bushes like a creep and perv on the people below.

3. Little Shoal Bay Reserve

When driving northbound over the harbour Little Shoal Bay is located down to your left – so give it a wave as you’re driving over the bridge. The charming little bay provides a unique view of the city and bridge, and is a perfect spot to sit and stare and ponder.

4. North Head Devonport

On the other side of the bridge lays North Head. This huge, er, head, sticks out and up from the land and attracts all sorts of attention from tourists and birds alike. It’s sweeping views over the harbour and the Hauraki Gulf, combined with its military past (it has a host of chambers and tunnels underground and three gun batteries somehow smooshed in there too) makes it a tres cool spot to picnic and snap photos.  The more adventurous can escape into the small parts of tunnels that aren't fenced off, or for the most rugged Jaffa explorer, hit the rockline and circumnavigate the full circumference of this vast head.

5. Mission Bay

Ah Mission Bay. Most people seem to have a love/hate relationship with the Eastern Bays. As in people criticize them, but they all flock there. Mix up your picnic ritual by picnicking on the beach at Mission bay, and finish it off with a Movenpick ice-cream and a stroll down the sand.  If the mercury really starts to climb, you could of course also go for a quick dip in the fountain.  But, like a converted meth lab, just hope there's no P in it.

6. Parnell Rose Gardens

Looking for a romantic place to propose and picnic? Look no further than the Parnell Rose Gardens. Not worth much of a look in the winter months (picture rows upon rows of stalks) the place comes alive in summer. It looks and smells amazing and even after the sun disappears, you will want to stay sitting on your wee chequered blankie sipping wine and eating your cheese and crackers. Not only is if filled with gorgeous roses, but as of 2010, the park was home to the oldest manuka and the largest pohutukawa tree in Auckland.

7. Auckland Domain

The largest and oldest park in Auckland had to get a mention. The park contains all of the explosion crater and most of the surrounding tuff ring of the Pukekawa volcano. Take your picnic pick with this one. You could nibble and tipple up near the Auckland War Museum at the crater rim, down by the duck ponds which lie in the northern sector of the explosion crater or set up shop in the Winter Garden, but in summer of course.

8. Cornwall Park

The premiere Auckland park, it has been landscaped and designed for the recreation and enjoyment of the people of New Zealand. In other words, this is where picnic blankets, wooden baskets and your plastic cutlery get off on being utilised. I hear the best spot to picnic is right between the hedges, near the band rotunda – but don’t say I told you.

9. Mt Eden

What can you say? This epic volcano that rises up out of the earth may just be Auckland’s most famous. It is the grand-daddy of picnic spots. Picture yourself snacking on your expensive Brie, your expensive Pinot Gris, and throwing your head back having a jolly old laugh while surveying all of Auckland in one glance. Ten extra points if you can circle the creator on one foot and not spill of drop of wine.

10. Omana Park

This south Auckland picnic haven is located on a gently contoured knoll which rises 40 meters above sea level and provides one of the last views of Rangitoto before you flee the city entirely. This landscaped beauty is worth the trip down south to spread your blanket and eat, though being so far from Auckland city, most JAFFA’s will have to pack a back-up picnic, overnight supplies and an emergency kit – just in case they get in to trouble.