Mission Bay is Auckland's city beach — a curved sandy bay along Tamaki Drive just 4 kilometres east of the CBD that functions as the city's favourite summer-evening hangout, with thousands gathering on the grass verge and the sand between November and March. The beach faces the Waitematā Harbour with Rangitoto Island rising behind the water, creating one of the city's defining panoramas.
The cafés, gelato shops, and restaurants along the Mission Bay strip (Selera, Moo Chow Chow, and De Fontein Belgian Beer Café are anchors) absorb the summer crowds. The Melanesian Mission House at the eastern end of the beach is the oldest stone building in Auckland (built 1859 as a training college for Melanesian Christian converts) and is open occasionally for events. The bay is connected by a flat coastal walk/cycle path to St Heliers further east, and to the Viaduct further west, making it the heart of a 7-kilometre continuous waterfront.
Verified Facts
Mission Bay is 4 kilometres east of Auckland CBD
The Melanesian Mission House was built in 1859
It is the oldest stone building in Auckland
The beach is connected by path to St Heliers and the Viaduct
Get walking directions
Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay
