Western Springs Lakeside Park

About

Western Springs is built around a spring-fed lake, and the birdlife is the reason to go. Pūkeko, ducks, geese and a large and confident population of swans, most of which will approach you and none of which should be fed bread. There's a path right around the lake, flat and easy with a pram, taking about twenty minutes at a gentle pace. Boardwalk sections take you out over the water. The park backs onto the natural amphitheatre used for large outdoor concerts through summer, which is worth knowing if you're planning a quiet visit on a show day. MOTAT and Auckland Zoo are both immediately adjacent, so it works well as the free part of a day built around one of them. Free, open daily, with parking off Great North Road.