Out and about

Living at Auranga gives you the luxury of having a range of leisure activities right on your doorstep.

Whether you’re into the excitement of the city or prefer the peace and quiet of the bush, sand between your toes or the quaint surrounds of rural New Zealand, you will never be short of things to do and see.

How's your handicap? Just down the road, with tee options for golfers of all abilities, Pukekohe Golf Course is a hidden jewel with mature trees, lakes, a river and wildlife as well as a licensed bar and café, a PGA trained coach, competitions and social events. 

Other golf clubs nearby include Awhitu Golf Club, Maramarua Golf Club, Onewhero Golf Club, Pakuranga Country Club, Waiuku Golf & Squash Club, and the Wattle Downs Golf Club.

Enjoy hitting out or kicking a ball around? There are a range of sports offered at the local clubs. Drury Sports Complex is home to the Drury United Football Club and Drury United Cricket Club, while Karaka Sports Park caters for rugby, baseball, netball, tennis and cricket with bowls right next door.

Everything equine: For horse lovers, there are pony clubs at Alfriston, Beachlands, Clevedon and Totara Park and during winter hunts are held twice a week over South Auckland farms. 

Sonshine Outdoor Adventure Centre combines adventure activities, horse riding and Christian faith, and offers weekly riding lessons, horse treks, holiday programs, EOTC/School programmes and more.

Byerley Park offers state-of-the-art thoroughbred training facilities including a 1600m training track, a separate warm-up track, arena, lunging rings, tie-ups, wash bays and viewing box.

School age kids and adults can have polo lessons at the Clevedon Polo Club from November to March.

Are we there yet? The Hunua Ranges, one of Auckland’s premier regional parks, is only 25-minutes' drive from Auranga. With the largest native forest in the region, pristine waterfalls, rivers and streams, native bush, walking tracks, picnic areas and magnificent views - perfect for a family outing.

Get the sand between your toes on the sandy beaches at Awhitu Regional Park where you can explore parkland pastures and wetlands, enjoy a picnic or fire up the barbecue.

Further up the Awhitu Peninsula, there are several other white-sand beaches including Big Bay or venture further west to the Tasman Sea and the black-sand beach of Karioitahi - perfect for hang gliding, paragliding, and blokarting or horse riding, surfing and fishing.

To the east enjoy the rock pools, beaches, markets and parks of the Pohutukawa Coast.

Visit a piece of New Zealand's maritime history. For a small donation you can visit the Manukau Heads Lighthouse an iconic wooden lighthouse tower built over 140 years ago. The site of New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster, this is where the HMS Orpheus ran aground in 1863. Look closely and you may see dolphins frolicking in the surf below - this is the only refuge for our endangered Maui's Dolphin.

Time for breakfast or lunch. You can't go past 'rural cafe of the year' - the Red Shed Palazzo. With stunning garden grounds, this little gem is family and dog friendly. Enjoy a gourmet omelette from the all-day breakfast menu or the deliciousness of fettuccine with smoked salmon and sundried tomatoes for lunch.

Need a coffee hit? Visit the Roma Roastery in Drury - you can't get much fresher than these beans roasted on the premises!

Get out on the water. If paddling, rowing or fishing is your thing, call into Slippery Creek Kayak Hire and venture up to the Hingaia Bridge or launch a stand-up-paddle board from the Slippery Creek ramp off Great South Road.

Fishos can launch their boats from boat ramps at Bottletop Bay in Oaklands Road, Clarks Beach, at Waiau Pa, Beachlands and Maraetai.

Fresh, fabulous food. Enjoy the friendly, rural atmosphere and pick up fresh produce at the Clevedon Farmers' Market held every Sunday from 8:30am - 1pm. Or call into the Franklin Market at Pukekohe on Saturdays from 8am to midday for a variety of delicious food, crafts and other goods.

Charming country town with a touch of city sophistication. Pukekohe is a hub of boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, and a busy business district - best of all parking is free!

A drink and a meal at the local? Call into the The Jolly Farmer and Murphy's Law Irish Bar - a family-friendly gastro pub a couple of minutes down the road in Drury Village.