Pakuranga Park residents discover hidden treasures across Auckland (and beyond)
British explorer Sir Richard Burton famously said: "The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands." When you move to a Real Living village, you can leave behind the worries of everyday life and house maintenance, giving you more time to explore the great outdoors around Auckland. Some of our residents prefer to do this on their own, while others enjoy hopping into the village van to discover new destinations.
Pakuranga Park Village Activities Coordinators, Kirsten and Chris, are known for thinking outside the box to continually offer a diverse array of destinations in their trip schedule. One of the most successful trips so far has been the delightful Ayrlies Garden in Whitford. Situated in the gently rolling countryside of east Auckland, Ayrlies Garden is one of New Zealand's best-known gardens, characterized by sweeping lawns and informal yet detailed plantings by ponds and waterways.
The New Zealand Gardens Trust has ranked Ayrlies as a Garden of International Significance, the highest accolade a garden can receive. Pakuranga Park residents took great pleasure in exploring this iconic NZ garden and found delight in sitting on its numerous benches, taking in the stunning natural scenery.
Pakuranga Park organised a special trip for the "blokes" to the Classic Museum in Hamilton, joined by village manager Christian Pulley. Over 20 men from the village eagerly participated in this tour, excited to see the iconic museum's collection of over 100 cars, petroliana, pedal cars, and early pinball machines.
The highlight was enjoying lunch at The Jukebox Diner, a 1950s-themed restaurant entered through a towering 13-meter replica Wurlitzer Jukebox, featuring pictures of famous movie and rock 'n' roll stars, including Elvis and ABBA.
Pakuranga Park organises monthly trips, using either the village van or a larger bus to accommodate more residents. They sometimes offer themed excursions, such as the Valentine's Day outing to Westbrook Winery, and other times they visit stunning spots like the Muriwai gannet colony, a beloved destination for residents.
The Village Activities Coordinators are known for uncovering hidden gems that few people know about. A standout recent trip was to the Toy Museum in Whitford, featuring a collection that includes everything from tiny Matchbox toys to large pedal cars, as well as aircraft, bicycles, tractors, prams, dolls, and tin-plated trucks. Residents thoroughly enjoyed this nostalgic trip down memory lane with their friends from the village.
At Real Living villages, our goal is to enrich residents' lives with diverse and engaging experiences. Through regular outings to exciting destinations, we provide opportunities for adventure and discovery. Whether it's exploring beautiful gardens or unique museums, each trip is designed to create lasting memories and bring joy to our community
If you would like to know more about Pakuranga Park why don’t you call Sylvie on 027 314 5767
or email sylvie.borrett@realliving.co.nz
