Killarney Park

There are some places where you come to hang with your mates, some where you just like to be alone, and some where you don’t mind either way. For me, Killarney Park falls into the *alone* category. My high school years were spent at the nearby Rosmini College, and Killarney Park is where I came just to unwind and be with my thoughts during those turbulent teenage years. For somewhere so close to central Takapuna it is incredibly serene and peaceful — it’s something to do with the lake and the rowers on it… or the ducks — something about things gently passing while you’re still is just relaxing. So yeah I come here to chill — lie on the grass, walk among the dew in the morning, sometimes I’ll bring my guitar down and sit under a tree and have a quiet play to myself. Blissful.

Killarney Park should be more popular than it is. It almost seems like people (including myself) just forget about it. And it really is beautiful (if you can avoid the duck poo). Situated right on the bank of the beautiful Lake Pupuke, Killarney Park is a lovely place to relax.
Sit in the sun with some lunch, relax under a tree with a book, grab a coffee from the nearby café, or take a stroll around the lake. Despite being right in the middle of busy Takapuna, you honestly feel miles away when you’re here, and you realise how cool and unique it is that you can walk from beach to lake in 5 minutes.
The lake itself is always busy with little boaters, kayakers and dive groups. You’ll often find our Olympic rowers and kayakers training here. The walk around the lake is a really nice one, and I highly recommend it, although there are some annioying parts that don’t let you take dogs, those can be avoided though.
It is close to many of Takapunas cafes, but doesn’t have them in the immediate vacinity, which actually makes for a much more relaxed, natural atmosphere. Lovely.

Most of my experience here was beneath the water — in the depths of Lake Pupuke when I was doing my dive course. In fact the park and the lake is a very popular destination for dive schools, and there were several other groups there sharing the lake when we came.
I can see the attraction, and not just for diving. It truly is a nice park. There is a large grassy area with a few picnic benches and large trees to sit under. The fact that it’s in front of a lake makes it all the more serene.
Birds also love it here too, and why wouldn’t they. With an abundance of water, and people to scavenge food off, it is a bird paradise. I do think they need to add a few more toilet/​changing room type cubicles due to the popularity of the place for a dive site, but that’s a minor gripe.