Domaine Park


In the largest New Zealand city of Oakland is the Domaine Park, which has become a favorite holiday destination for local residents and a must-see for tourists coming here from all over the world. Located in the Oakland suburb of Grafton, this oldest park covers an area of ​​75 hectares. People come here for active and quiet rest, for organizing family walks and romantic meetings, picnics in a noisy group of friends, or, on the contrary, to reflect, left alone with oneself.

Park Domaine - the oldest park in Auckland

So, what does the tourist need to know about the unique Domaine Park, which has become a vivid sight not only of Auckland, but of the whole of New Zealand ? First of all, it is worth noting that the history of the park is rooted in the distant 40-ies of the 19 century, it was at this time along the circumference of the volcano Pukekawa and there was a park. However, the tourist should not be here to be afraid, since this volcano is very ancient and has long been inactive. Park Domaine took on its territory events of great historical significance: this is the first match in rugby, and the visit of the Pope and even the visit of Queen Elizabeth herself the second.

In addition, during its existence the park has been reconstructed many times, in the distant past it was even a source of drinking water for the residents. Despite the fact that the volcano, around the crater of which the park is located, is extinct, to make sure that all this is true, and not a legend for attracting tourists, is very easy. Each visitor to the park can easily make sure that the volcano was once there, and the evidence is that the soil itself contains volcanic tuff, as well as slopes that are sloping and have long overgrown with a dense lawn, and a natural amphitheater with a slight depression in the center.

What should I look for in the Domaine Park?

Park Domaine is famous for several distinctive features that attract the attention of tourists:

The Military Memorial Museum, built in the last century, became a place for New Zealanders to be a place of historical memory of soldiers who died in times of war. Despite the military theme of the museum, it is also possible to see the exposition of animals and birds of ancient times. The museum of tourists is particularly impressive model of the largest, once existing bird on earth - Moa, weighing 750 kilograms and growing to three meters.

Miracles in the conservatory

Special attention to tourists should be given to a magnificent greenhouse, in which the rarest tropical plants are collected. The uniqueness of the collection lies, first of all, in the fact that it is difficult to imagine any other place on earth in which simultaneously one could see such wild vegetation. In memory of the once existing Botanical Garden, park designers decided to leave glass pavilions, which collected unique samples of plants brought from afar, as well as those that were grown in New Zealand.

Open territory of the park is planted with various trees, which makes leisurely walks in the shady alleys very informative. Surprisingly, even the nature of the rainforest can be found here, so a tourist should not be surprised at the appearance of palm trees or bamboo on his way.

For those who are tired of walking, there are cozy arbors in the Domaine Park, located among the palms. Here you can escape from everyday vanity and, left alone with nature, enjoy the surrounding beauty.

You can get to the park by car, moving along Grafton Road, and with a tourist group, which is brought to the site by specially organized buses. The entrance to the park is a kind of arch, passing through which tourists enter the world of unique plants, rare trees, original flower beds and a great variety of examples of park art. It is recommended to buy a very tasty ice cream, worth only 3.5 New Zealand dollars, and start your journey through the Domaine Park.

Add to the already picturesque scenery here a variety of marble statues, harmoniously combining with the unique atmosphere of romance and pacification.

What else is interesting?

Tourists who come to the park with children should go to the pond and feed the ducks and pigeons with bread, here they are absolutely not afraid of people and gladly accept any delicacy. Fans of outdoor activities can go to the park grounds - specially fenced fields - and play football or baseball. By the way, sports parks often become the venue for various grandiose shows, and therefore, it is possible that a tourist who first finds himself in the Domaine Park will also be able to witness a sporting or theatrical performance. It's not even necessary to go into the thick of the events - it's enough to climb a hill overlooking the island of Rangitoto, and enjoy the view.