Eight kilometres of shared walking and biking tracks wind around the Pukekiwiriki Crater and follow the water's edge along the Tāmaki River. Open to the public across award-winning natural landscapes, the parklands feature waterways, open green spaces, and dedicated seating areas laid out for picnics or quiet reflection. The river’s inter-tidal mudflats form a rich feeding habitat for local bird life, making it a rewarding spot to sight kōtare (kingfishers), karuhiruhi (pied shags), matuku moana (white-faced herons), poaka (pied stilts), and tōrea (South Island pied oystercatchers).
Set in East Tāmaki just ten minutes from Manukau City Centre and 18 kilometres from Auckland’s CBD, this coastal reserve brings outdoor space right beside the commercial district. Visitors arriving by car can use over a hundred 90-minute free parking spaces near Highbrook Crossing, where local bus routes also stop directly outside. Our pick in East Tāmaki for an easy lunchtime cycle or coastal birdwatching stroll.