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Take
time while you are staying at the Big Blue House to visit major
Auckland attractions right on our doorstep. A 15-minute walk will take
you to the Auckland Zoo www.aucklandzoo.co.nz
and the Museum of Transport & Technology. MOTAT
While you are
there, take a walk around the lake at Western Springs Park and enjoy
the swans, ducks and geese. The park is also the venue for community
events such as the annual Pasifika Festival, New Zealand's largest
Pacific Island's cultural event, held annually. www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/pasifika/
The Big Blue
House has several beautiful nature walks close by. In 15 minutes you
can be strolling on a board-walk across the mangroves at Cox's Bay
Reserve or watching local school children play cricket or rugby. A
similar distance the other way will take you to Meola Reef, an old lava
flow, now covered in paddocks with grazing cows, surrounded by native
bush on one side and the sea on the other. The peaceful enclave is a
haven for wading birds including the Blue Heron.
The
local area of Westmere, Grey Lynn and Ponsonby is known for its cafes
and restaurants and shops. There are several cafes within easy walking
distance from the Big Blue House. A trip to the Ponsonby Shops, and in
particular, the Women's Bookshop is a must while you are here. www.womensbookshop.co.nz/
Hop on the
bus to the city centre at the bus stop just 2 minutes from the front
door of the Big Blue House. Once in town, there is easy access to all
the main tourist attractions and shopping centres. You can look at the
view of the city from the Sky Tower.
www.skycity.co.nz/
Catch a bus
to Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World (www.new-zealand.com/KellyTarltons/).
A short ferry
ride will take you to historical Devonport where you can explore the
wide range of restaurants, cafes, beaches, art galleries and shopping. www.devonport.co.nz/
Western Springs Stadium is in easy walking distance from the Big Blue
House. You can organise your visit to coincide with a special event at
the stadium. It has hosted well-known musicians such as the Bee Gees,
U2 and Bruce Springstein. Speedway is a regular Saturday night event.
Local
community and sports facilities include Grey Lynn Community Centre, the
Auckland Women's Centre (www.womenz.org.nz/wc/wcentre.htm),
yoga classes, the Auckland Buddhist Centre and churches of most
denominations.
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