Fernglen Native Plant Gardens

Tucked along Kauri Road in Birkenhead, Fernglen Native Plant Gardens is a council-owned green space dedicated to New Zealand's native flora. Families can wander through at their own pace during daylight hours any day of the week, making it an easy low-key outing without the need to plan around opening times.

The gardens are run with genuine community investment — an educational committee and trust oversees programmes and events, and an education room on site is available for hire, used for children's birthday parties as well as meetings and yoga.

It suits families who want a calm, leafy walk without crowds or entrance fees to navigate. Gardening groups and larger parties are welcome to give advance notice, but for a quiet wander among tree ferns and native plantings, simply turning up is all it takes.