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Neighbourhood

Parnell

Street view of Parnell Rise.

Parnell lies on the fringe of Auckland CBD, and is often cited as Auckland’s first suburb. Quite the claim in a city that now exceeds sixty ‘burbs. The history is evident in the historical architecture found within the neighbourhood; a visit to the Kinder House or Hulme Court offers a small window into the past.


Parnell - in recent years - has emerged as a home for bespoke dining experiences, excellent coffee, enviable boutique shopping and a precinct reminiscent of downtown New York. Shaking off its once prim and proper image. The concentration of dealer galleries in the area make it a go-to destination for Aucklanders on a mission to find coveted artwork.


Parnell is surprisingly green for its proximity to the city. Naturally blessed with a plethora of gardens and reserves; The Domain with its curiously charming Winter Gardens and inimitable Auckland Museum give the suburb a distinctive perimeter unlike any other.

Neighbourhoods

Grey Lynn

Close up of Auckland's Grey Lynn shops.
4 Places Auckland
Said to be home to Auckland’s ‘free thinkers’, Grey Lynn prides itself on being a neighbourhood with charm and a different way of doing things. An annual festival hosted near Grey Lynn Park is a celebration of community, creativity, and craftspeople, amalgamating what this area is about. Houses in the district were mostly built in the 1880s, and low rent in the 1950s attracted many immigrant workers who quickly made this neighbourhood home. Now, having undergone a similar renewal to Ponsonby, Grey Lynn has become a much sought after place where locals live close to neighbourhood shops and within easy reach of Point Chevalier beach.

Karangahape Road

An old sign on Auckland's Karangahape Road.
8 Places Auckland
The somewhat brighter more vivacious cousin of Ponsonby Road, Auckland's Karangahape Road boasts just as much foot traffic and loyal lovers who come for the vintage shopping and community-conscious eateries. Affectionately known as ‘K Road’, the area took off after the expansion of nearby motorways from the 1960s. Its former reputation as a Red Light District has done nothing to deter visitors – instead, those who set up shop here seem somewhat proud of the area’s shady history, giving them a mysterious edge that transfers into both the fashion and food scene. Don’t be surprised to see outfits that you wouldn’t see elsewhere in Auckland, as K Roaders pride themselves on the vintage and thrift shop scene they surround themselves with, and if you’re looking for that bargain second-hand t-shirt to finish your next look, this is the place to come.

Ponsonby

A building over grown with vines in Ponsonby.
9 Places Auckland
If you know anything about Auckland, you’ll have heard of Ponsonby Road, which features a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. With eateries along the strip serving up everything from pizza to prawns, Ponsonby Road caters to all sorts of visitors who come to revel in its eating and drinking scene as much as the people watching. Once infamous for its derelict buildings and colourful reputation in the 1980s, Ponsonby has undergone one of Auckland’s most dramatic turnarounds with posh shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants. A hip place to hang out at night, keep your eyes peeled for famous faces as you drink an expertly mixed cocktail or sip wine in the courtyard at one of the many hot spots.