1. Maraetai Beach

My favourite beach in Franklin (not too far ahead of Karioitahi) where you can do everything from swim and relax to launching the boat.

2. Manukau Heads Lighthouse

Located at the tip of the ancient Āwhitu Peninsula, the lighthouse gives amazing views of the Manukau Harbour bar and Waitākere Ranges. The lighthouse itself is beautifully maintained by the volunteer trust and is steeped in history.

3. Pukekohe Town Centre

I spent a lot of time walking the streets of this not so little town. It has a ton of regeneration work planned over the next decade to welcome more exciting spaces, plenty of places to grab kai/drink, heaps of murals and huge potential to be the most popular town in Aotearoa New Zealand.

josh
Author: josh

more Franklin stories...

Give Us This Day Our Daily Goods

Give Us This Day Our Daily Goods

Travellers into Pukekohe might be forgiven for making a few false assumptions about this relaxed street side café. Firstly, if they were after some kind of greasy fry up, they wouldn’t be disappointed. Not because they’d get it, but because they’d get something much...

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Pukekohe

Pukekohe

Pukekohe, the high street of Franklin, showcases a handful of beautifully restored historic buildings, now home to inviting eateries and unique spots that celebrate the town’s past.

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Waiuku, sounds good.

Waiuku, sounds good.

Live music, like spring, brings renewal and fresh energy – encouraging us to get out of the house, shake off the winter blues, reconnect, and enjoy the vibe at the local.
For a small but bustling town, Waiuku’s got plenty of this going on. On Sunday the 14th, there’s a good old-fashioned hoe-down at the Cossie Club, featuring dress-ups, dance-offs, and endless amounts of country music. This doesn’t happen every Sunday, so now’s your chance to throw your cowboy boots on and head down to the club to get your membership. If that’s not your thing, then every Friday night there’s a live band at the Kentish Hotel, and every Saturday night a DJ.

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Wairoa River

Wairoa River

The Wairoa River snakes its way across the wild, volcanic landscape of the Hunua Ranges.

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