Itinerary

1. The Best of East Auckland

   • Meet the tour guide, who will pick you up from your hotel at 9:00 a.m. and start our journey.
   • Visit Barry Curtis Park, the largest urban park in Auckland, with a total land area of 94 hectares. It is situated in Flat Bush, a new township in the southern part of East Auckland. There is 55 km of a protected natural stream and gully trap areas for bird life and native fauna to flourish. The park is named after long-serving Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis, who served from 1983 to 2007. The walking path is fully paved and mostly flat, suitable for all ages. It has become a popular park for locals to walk and exercise.
   • Travel to Foguangshan Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in New Zealand, situated just beside Barry Curtis Park, which occupies a total land area of 4 hectares. It was built over 7 years at the cost of NZD 20 million and designed in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. A big Buddha statue and a 2-tonne bell are hanging outside the main shrine. Opened in late 2007, it promotes Humanistic Buddhism and encourages interfaith, education and cultural diversity. Apart from the main shrine, there is also a nicely decorated garden exhibition hall with different exhibitions throughout the year, such as art, painting, calligraphy etc. A cafe named Water Drop Teahouse, serving delicious vegetarian food and different kinds of tea in a relaxing environment, is a popular and favourite cafe for many locals. 
   • Continue our exploration to Howick Historical Village, situated in Lloyd Elsmore Park, one of Auckland's largest sports parks, including cricket, netball, rugby, badminton, swimming pool and others. The village is a living history museum with 7 acres of grounds and gardens with a collection including art, furniture, textiles, and original wooden buildings to show early Auckland life between 1840 - 1880 by early settlers (fencibles) from Britain. Fencibles were retired soldiers or marines who fought wars for Britain in the 1930s and 1940s. They received a small amount of pension after retiring and were offered to live a new life with their families in Auckland. You can open the door to real homes and experience living history by yourself. 
   • Head to Half Moon Bay. Guests can have the option to have lunch in Howick Historical Village or at a cafe in Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay is well known for its Half Moon Bay Marina, home to over 500 boats with picturesque views over the water. It has a walking path around the bay and a ferry connecting Auckland downtown and Waiheke Island. We take a short walk around the bay to enjoy the scenery and fresh sea breeze.
   • Stop at Bucklands Beach; not only is it a popular local beach, but it is also an upmarket suburban famous because of the sea views and Maclean College, which produces many brilliant students. From the beach, we can see Rangitoto Island, a dormant volcano that erupted 700 years ago. Rangitoto is a Maori word. It means "sky blood", possibly because of the eye witness of the eruption at that time.
   • Move on to Howick Musick Point, the headland of the peninsular, named in 1942 after American pilot Ed Musick who visited New Zealand in 1937. A very scenic place and is a favourite spot for walking, taking wedding photos and sightseeing over the harbour. Howick Memorial Radio Station, constructed in 1940 to facilitate the need for international air communication in New Zealand, is here. American naval forces used it during World War II. Howick Golf Club, also known as a golf course with a million dollar views, is at the peninsular. The name is because of the spectacular view over the water and harbour from the golf course. 
   • Depart from here to go back hotel and conclude the tour, bringing back sweet and unforgettable memories and lots of photos.