The Auckland Domain

Such a great oasis in the middle of the growing area of Auckland. Lots of great space to wander, feed the ducks or chill out in the sun and have a picnic.
There is quite abit of free parking available if you can find a spot. For those unlucky ones or those who want a more secure place to park, undercover paid parking is available.
Enjoy before Auckland council decide to rezone and build lots of high priced houses on.

In 1940, to commemorate the founding of Auckland in 1840, a new road was planned for the Domain. «Centennial Drive» was surveyed and trees planted its length but it was never formed as a road; it is now a walkway between the Duckponds and Stanley Street.
Ok, so I copied and pasted that above fact for you to nerd out on !
But who knew the domain was so full of secrets, and that there was so much going on there .
It is such a beautiful open space .
Run, walk or skate, but get there now.

If you don’t love the Domain, you’re dead inside. It’s a beautiful spot, and such a gem right in the heart of the city! Whichever way you head, it’s simply delightful. As with the café on the grounds, this used to be my hangout during Uni when I had a long break between classes. You never tire of it. At the height of summer, you can camp out under the trees by the sports ground for lunch or whatever. On a pristine winter’s day, there’s nothing better than strolling through the park. The courtyard area in between the glasshouses used to be my ‘special place’: such a calm, peaceful spot to sit in… walking into the courtyard with the little pond, it really feels like you’re stepping into another world. And there are beautiful views of the city and the Gulf if you climb the hill by the museum.

I love the Auckland Domain. A lot of people don’t realise there are a number of walking trails throughout the Domain that make you completely forget you’re in the middle of the city. The green places are beautiful, the ponds with the ducks are great, and of course the Winter Gardens. I love the Domain Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter!

The Domain is wonderful. Its a huge park that you can walk around or just relax. I used to go and sit under one of their many trees during my lunch hour. It’s vast! They’re some really old trees that are huge and theres a duckpond with seating. This is perfect to gather your family for a picnic or your friends for a game of rounders. Close by is the Auckland Museum if you like war things!

I love coming here when funds are tight, there is so much to see and do for free! Coming here with a picnic is great because you are spoilt for choice in terms of sitting spots, it truly is a massive park. Their glasshouse gardens are also amazing, the winter garden is my favourite, I also enjoy looking at all the massive goldfish in the many ponds around the park (a great place to feed the ducks also). If you’re an art lover, there are a few nice pieces scattered around the park, artists such as John Edgar, Greer Twiss and Louise Purvis were all commissioned to create site specific works for the domain.

The Domain is a big, beautiful park located right in the heart of Auckland leading from the top of Parnell road right into the city centre with the grand war museum providing a gorgeous backdrop (it always reminds me of The White House for some reason!) that is often lit up in amazing colours at night (when it does it provides a great photographic opportunity).
There are so many things to do once inside the park too. The duck pond provides me with great entertainment on lazy afternoons, but my favourite part is the garden for the blind, with all of its funky aromas and furry plants. On my early morning drive to work through the park when it’s barely even light I always see others (who are evidently much more active than myself!) jogging and doing exercise classes on the vast green.
I just wish people wouldn’t drive so fast along the winding roads, I’m always scared someone’s going to run over one of the ducks that spill out of the pond into the path oncoming traffic!

Go for a stroll down lovers lane, see a few water fountains, visit the winter gardens, spend hours in the museum, play a sport on the many hectares of fields, sneak into the café and grab a nice cold drink, or take some stunning wedding photos. The Domain has pretty much everything to offer. It’s wonderfully central and a short stroll past the cherry blossoms to the city centre.
The only down side is parking. They only give you about 2, maybe 3 hours, and that’s not particularly helpful if you want to view the whole museum on top of everything else. I parked there 4 hours and got a $ 15 fine, which was very irritating. I recommend moving your car after 2.5 hours if you plan to stay a decent amount of time.

Wow this is an impressive park to visit, no wonder as its Auckland’s oldest park, its like the Grandfather of all parks.
With its huge, beautiful and wise trees scattered around, its great to come here whether it be for a walk around the park, a lovely picnic or to play some sports on the sports grounds. There are some bush walks you can do in the Domain which many probably don’t even know exist, when I used to work in the area I often came here with my husband for bush walks and you would have thought we weren’t even in central Auckland.
The Auckland Domain is also home to Auckland’s iconic Auckland Museum also well worth a visit.

There is also the Wintergardens which are lovely for wedding photos or any photos. Next to the Wintergardens you will find the Wintergarden Pavilion where you can have breakfast, lunch or a drink.
Don’t live or come to Auckland without visiting Auckland Domain.

The Domain is a fantastic park located in the heart of Auckland. Cricket, rugby, soccer, jogging, bike riding — the Domain is the perfect place to practice a multitude of sports, or even just enjoy a casual stroll with friends and a picnic.
Within the Domain is the Wintergardens, a great café and of course the Auckland War Memorial Museum — all of which are worth checking out. Ponds, geese crossings and band rotundas can also be found with the grounds of the beautiful Domain.
Over the years I have spent countless hours in the Domain, reading books in the sun, taking time out of my university day and relaxing, attending events like Christmas in the Park and getting out of Starship and Auckland Hospital for a breather while visiting friends. This is what I value the most about the Domain — its handy location to the hospitals, and also how well kept the grounds are means every time I visit is a good time.
Tip: Schedule some ‘me’ time and take a walk around the grounds of the Domain, you can’t go wrong