Mission Bay, New Zealand

Mission Bay is Auckland's most popular city beach, a golden crescent of sand fronting the Waitematā Harbour a few kilometres east of the central business district along the scenic Tamaki Drive. Backed by a palm-lined promenade and a strip of cafes and restaurants, it is a relaxed, family-friendly seaside suburb with fine views across the water to Rangitoto Island.

The beachfront is the draw. A grassy reserve and a landmark Art Deco fountain — the Trevor Moss Davis Memorial Fountain — sit between the beach and the cafe strip, and the sheltered harbour water gives calm, gentle swimming suited to families. The palm-fringed promenade is made for strolling, and the beach faces the harbour so it catches the morning sun.

It anchors a scenic drive. Tamaki Drive, one of Auckland's finest waterfront routes, links Mission Bay to the city past a string of bays and is a favourite for walking, running and cycling. The historic Melanesian Mission building, from which the suburb takes its name, stands opposite the beach as a reminder of its nineteenth-century origins.

Practical notes: Mission Bay is a short bus ride or a pleasant walk or cycle along Tamaki Drive from the central business district, with the flat promenade and reserve largely step-free, though beach access is over sand. Summer, from December to March, brings the warmest swimming and liveliest beachfront, though the cafes and walk are pleasant year-round. It suits families, casual swimmers and anyone wanting an easy beach escape close to the city, ideally combined with a walk or ride along the harbour drive. The reserve fills with picnickers and the fountain lights up on summer evenings, and the strip's gelato bars, restaurants and cinema make it a destination well after the swimmers have left the sand for the day.