Five places to escape in the big smoke in Auckland.
Sometimes it feels as if the city is too grey, too noisy, too hectic. These are the times when you want to escape, normally to a green forest or a tropical beach somewhere. Alas, this is not always possible. Sometimes, an escape has to be closer to home. Here I am going to share with you five places I like to escape the craziness of Auckland, that are actually hidden throughout the city. I like to call these spots; secret urban green spots. Doesn’t that just run off the tongue. These spots allow you to reconnect with yourself, with nature, and generally bring a sense of peace to yourself while at the same time perhaps exploring a part of Auckland you did not know about.
Judges Bay
Perfect spot for a quiet morning moment.
The name does not suggest peace and quiet, more like harsh severe executioner feel. But the name is a misnomer, because Judge’s Bay is a tranquil spot to watch the Auckland Harbour. You can watch the seagulls and terns swoop down for their fishy breakfast, the morning commuter trains making their way to their various locations, and the sun casting reflections on the still water.
Seagulls at Judges Bay.
The best spot in the house is at the end of wharf. Take a seat, watch the sun slowly rise, and wake up with the seagulls.
You can also swim at this location, though diving in during winter may cause your toes and other parts to freeze off.
Best time to come: Sunrise. The only people you will see will be dog walkers and the joggers. Makes for a great spot for morning mediation, or simply to watch the sunrise.
Cornwell Park
Blossoms
A sprawling farmland in the heart of Auckland. No. You are not seeing an illusion, Auckland truly has 425 acres of green in the middle of the bustling city. There are sheep and cattle, who in spring both have lambs and calves respectively to sate anyones craving for cute. The daffodils bloom in spring as well. In fact, there are around 6000 blooming in the area. Now that is a lot of yellow. There are many spots to have a peaceful moment in Cornwell Park due to its sweeping size. So, if you would prefer to sit under a tree in bloom while listening to the croaks and coughs of the tui, a New Zealand native bird, or sit near the bleating lambs, there are many spots to find that peace.
Best time to come: Early morning, weekdays.
Western Springs
A coot at Western Springs
Honks, grunts, quacks, and chirps are the tunes that make up my peaceful soundtrack, all noises courtesy of the bird life in Auckland’s Western Springs. Western Springs is a sanctuary surrounding a lake. Many animals call this space home, including ducks, geese, shags, coots, and swans. The place is alive with the sounds of the local residents, as well as covered it the poo of said residents. But, if you do not mind bird poo, love animals, and enjoy being around them this is a perfect place to find peace in Auckland.
Black Swan at Western Springs
Best time to come: Early morning-weekdays. Before all the mums arrive with their battering rams, aka prams.
Dove Myer Robinson Park
Stop and smell the roses, at Dove Myer Robinson Park, home to Parnell’s Rose gardens. There is something majestic about prowling down a line of roses, leaning your nose down to smell their velvety petals, and reading all the strange names of each rose. There is some strange rose names out there, Lavender Pinocchio is one example. The place I like to escape while here is by the fountain. There are plenty of bench seats around for you to park on up at, to sit listening to the tricking of the fountain and smell the aromas of the roses. There is also a toilet here, so if all that fountain tricking makes you want to pee, you are sorted.
Best time to come: Spring when the roses come out to play. Also weekdays, early morning.
A Community Garden: Kingsland Community Orchard
I am lucky enough to have a community garden right beside my house. This is a relief, because otherwise I think I would have gone a little grey without some green right next to my house, as I live in an apartment with no garden. Well, expect for my in home garden of many succulents and cacti. Kingsland Community Orchard is a community project where a garden has been planted and maintained in the bustling suburb of Kingsland. Here there are flowers sprouting, herbs and vegetables coming up, including Pineapple Sage last time I checked, native birds singing from the treetops including some cheeky tuis, and a picnic bench that makes the perfect spot for lunch. There is also plenty of grass area, where you could practice yoga, mediation, or simply do some roly polyies.