Content > Auckland Car Rental > Grandpa’s Guide to Driving in Papakura

 

Why, hello again! I was just playing bridge with some of my mates. After I won two games in a row they decided to call it a day. It’s only noon. Apparently, their sense of fun was short-lived. Now Gramps Ben is back with you with another round of travel tips.

 

This time, we’ll deal with the little suburb of Auckland, New Zealand that is Papakura! Found on the shores of the Pahurehure Inlet, it’s about 32 kilometres south of the Auckland Central Business District. Being the last off-ramp on the Auckland southern motorway, Papakura isn’t considered part of South Auckland. This is due to its less cosmopolitan lifestyle. 

 

Wondering why it’s called Papakura? Well, Papakura is a Maori word that came from papa that means “earth” or “flat” and kura which is Maori for “red”. Since the land around was rich and fertile when it was founded, Kiwi ancestors decided to call it Papakura.

 

Papakura is everything a suburb should be. The climate is pleasant all throughout the year. Each day is sure to be lovely and you don’t even have to listen to the weather forecast! (But I don’t discourage you from watching the news, okay?) In Papakura, not much can stop you from having a relaxing day spent in the great outdoors.

 

A wide variety of activities, fitting for locals and tourists alike, is hosted by Papakura and its surrounding areas. You can try swimming, fishing, camping out or horse riding while you’re here. Whatever floats your boat, I’m sure you can find it here in Papakura.

 

So you might be thinking “it’s a suburb, I probably don’t need a car to get around.” Well, my friend. That’s where you’re wrong. Renting your own car is much safer. With your own vehicle, you can enjoy Papakura at your won pace and not have to cut your activities short because you can’t be late for the train or bus or something. Now wouldn’t that nagging and pressured feeling be annoying?

 

Plus, having your own car is safer and more dependable and less stressful. See the many benefits? It’s loads better to rent a car to go round Papakura so you better hurry on and click here www.vroomvroomvroom.com.nz to get the best car rental deals in town!

Now, shall we move on to your ideal Papakura road trip? Yes? Excellent then!

 

1. Bruce Pulman Park

A neat place to start is Bruce Pulman Park. Twenty minutes from Auckland City, It’s not the typical kind of park. It’s quite unique in the sense that it’s a place totally amped up for community excellence in sports and recreation. A whopping 64 hectares of park surroundings offer high class sports grounds and indoor facilities.

Indulge yourself in a game of rugby or stretch and flex with a simple gymnastics course. Whatever kind of physical activity you’re looking for you’ll find it here at Bruce Pulman Park.

So if you’re in for breaking a healthy sweat, this is definitely the place to go. 

 

2. Massey Park Aquatic Centre

Aching to make a splash? Then head over to 2 Ron Keat Drive to experience the one and only, Massey Park Aquatic Centre! There you’ll find a delightful range of pools; the wave pool, the lazy river, steam rooms, water slides and a tots pool. You name it, they have it. 

Now how about taking a dip in those cool, inviting waters?

So look no further, the Massey Park Aquatic Centre is truly the most exciting swimming pool complex you’ll find in Auckland!

 

 

3. Hunua Ranges

Okay, last stop. Want to feel like you’re in an action and adventure movie? You do? Then speed your way to the Hunua Ranges. If you’re into tramping, mountain biking, or even horse riding, this is certainly the place to be!

The park sweeps over 16,000 hectares. It has the biggest chunk of forest on the mainland of the Auckland Region successfully regenerating native trees that were almost lost to extinction.

You can put your bush skills to the test as you battle experience tracks. Pretend that you’re another representative of the human race, joining hobbits, elves and dwarves as the Fellowship of the Ring.

 

Travel across perilous terrain, set out to destroy the One Ring at Mordor. All you need is your imagination and a Hunua Range challenge!

 

Or take a trail by horse! (Isn’t that always more exciting?) Get acquainted with your steed as you stomp through a path down in the valley at Lower Mangatawhiri. It’ll be quite an experience, sight-seeing on a horse. If I were you, I wouldn’t miss that for the world.

Hate to cut our correspondence short but I gotta dash. My niece just came back from school with a yummy piece of apple crumble. And I just can’t resist it. Tsktsk. I did always have the sweet tooth.

So try to drop by all those places I just told you about to maximize your time spent at Papakura. Remember to have tons of fun and just absorb the experience, okay? Happy travels!

 

- Grandpa Benjamin