Manukau offers cultural diversity and surrounding nature
The township of Manukau is situated in the Auckland metropolitan area, around 25 kilometres southeast of Auckland city centre. Manukau has a diverse population which makes it one of the most multicultural areas in New Zeal#and and thus is a great destination for experiencing Maori and Polynesian markets and cuisine. Visitors also choose to stay in Manukau because of its close proximity to Auckland International Airport and the convenience this can provide. Similarly, being a short distance from central Auckland offers a range of further benefits.
Minutes from Auckland International Airport
Although part of the larger Auckland metropolitan area, Manukau maintains a distinct and unique atmosphere in part thanks to its diversity. Thanks to the region’s excellent infrastructure and transportation links, Manukau is easily accessible by road or public transport. The Auckland transport system provides suburban rail links which ensure that the Auckland’s CBD is just over thirty minutes away. As a result, many visitors to Auckland choose to stay in a Manukau hotel and commute into the city, thus being able to enjoy the quieter nature of the small town. Indeed, there are several hotels in Manukau located directly opposite Hayman Park and the Manukau Train Station. Most of the commercial activity is concentrated close to this area, along the streets of Cavendish Drive and the intersection with Great South Road. Here visitors can find an array of restaurants, shops and cafes which ensure it is possible to stay in Manukau without venturing out for any necessities.
A broad array of cuisine and shopping opportunities
Manukau is a reasonably new town; largely just farmland before the 1960’s it slowly developed through the 1970’s and became part of Auckland’s metropolitan area as the larger city continued to expand. As a result, there is not much in terms of historical buildings around Manukau, but what it lacks in history it certainly makes up for in cultural diversity. There are many marketplaces and family-run restaurants which present excellent opportunities for sampling a variety of ethnic cuisines, including Polynesian and Maori. In addition, there are a myriad of European and Asian influences across the district and this is again reflected in the culinary scene. In terms of international brand shopping, Westfield Shopping Centre is the main facility in Manukau, developed on the site of the original Manukau City Centre Mall. Westfield is just a few minutes’ walk from the train station and thus guests of central hotels in Manukau can conveniently access the facility on foot. The nearby area of Otara houses a weekly flea market which can be a great spot to witness South Auckland’s incredible blend of cultures, as well as picking up some local influenced products for instance art or music.
Quick access to a variety of green spaces
Much of Manukau’s appeal also lies in its closer proximity to parks and surrounding nature. Within a short drive there are dozens of parks, reserves and sporting complexes which allow visitors of Manukau to enjoy the great outdoors. Totara Park is situated just five minutes away and contains large open spaces which are perfect to escape urban life, plus there is also a public swimming pool on site. Slightly further south is the Auckland Botanic Gardens, a popular site with older visitors which also houses an onsite cafe and events venue. Around six kilometres east is the Puhinui Reserve alongside the shore of Manukau Harbour. This extensive area of public land is excellent for bird spotting, whilst also giving a true feeling of tranquillity and being a million miles away from city life. It is also a well-visited destination with families as the space allows children to roam and enjoy the outdoors. Puhinui Reserve is equidistant from Manukau and Auckland Airport, so guests staying at hotels in either district can access the facility within a short drive.
Sights around Manukau Harbour
The broader Auckland metropolitan area is home to an extensive assortment of attractions and points of interest as well as a range of stunning scenery. Using a hotel in Manukau as a base it is possible to not just explore the immediate surroundings but also make day trips to some of the highlights further afield. Manukau Harbour stretches much further than the Puhinui Reserve, in fact it links to the Tasman Sea on New Zealand’s west coast and at its widest is over twenty kilometres across. The coastline that surrounds this contains many beaches and inlets which are possible to reach in a day from Manukau. Puketutu Island is in the north east of the harbour and is a great spot for hiking and views of the harbour; the small volcanic island is connected by a bridge just fifteen kilometres drive from Manukau. Following the harbour coastline to the northwest it is possible to access Auckland Centennial Park, an enormous reserve with over 250km of trails plus diverse forestry and scenic beaches. At around an hour’s drive from Manukau it is still possible as a day trip and accessible without entering Auckland’s CBD.