Auckland Botanic Gardens | Weekend Escape 🌿🌼

Auckland Botanic Gardens | The Perfect Weekend Escape 🌿🌼✨ What better way to spend a sunny day than wandering through the stunning Auckland Botanic Gardens? With over 64 hectares of beautifully curated gardens, it's a paradise for nature lovers! 🌸🌳 Why You'll Love It: ✔️ FREE entry (yes, really!) ✔️ 10,000+ plants from around the world 🌍 ✔️ Perfect for families—kids can run wild on the lawns ✔️ Dog-friendly (on-leash areas available) 🐕 ✔️ Great photo spots—especially the rose garden and native NZ plant sections 📸 📍 Address: 102 Hill Rd, Manurewa, Auckland 🎫 Entry: FREE (donations welcome!) ⏰ Hours: Open daily, closes at 6 PM 🕒 Suggested visit: 2-3 hours (or longer if picnicking!) Bonus Stop: Manawa Bay Ice Cream 🍦 After the gardens, we drove to Manawa Bay (near the airport) for some sweet treats. Their ice cream is creamy and flavorful—worth a try if you're in the area! Lunch Drama 😅 Originally planned to grab food in South Auckland, but the area felt way too quiet (and slightly sketchy 👀). Instead, we high-tailed it to East Auckland for Chef Art Noodles—a solid choice! Their hearty bowls of noodles hit the spot. 🍜 Pro Tips: Best time to visit? Spring (Sept-Nov) for the most blooms! Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a picnic blanket. Check out the gift shop for cute botanical souvenirs! 🌿 #AucklandNZ #AKLlife #WeekendVibes #BotanicGarden #FreeFun #NZTravel #AucklandEats #NatureLover #FamilyFriendly #DogFriendly 😊🌱