Our great outdoor dining rooms

Sylvan Park, Lake Pupuke. Picture / Carolyn Elliott

Come summer, the desire to get in the car and drive for ages to a lovely spot to eat something prepared earlier in the kitchen is almost overwhelming. Going on summer picnics is a primal urge for New Zealanders, but there's really no need to spend hours getting there only to find everyone else had the same idea. Sometimes you don't even have to leave the city to get to a great picnic spot. We've singled out five likely places as a great day out - and all are less than 40 minutes' drive from the inner city.

ALBERT PARK, AUCKLAND CITY

Auckland's own Central Park, this is an inner-city haven between Bowen Ave, Princes, Kitchener and Wellesley Sts and one of our absolute favourites. A quick history lesson. The Albert Barracks defence post was built on the site in 1845. The Auckland City Council took it over in 1879 and in 1882 Albert Park was established.

There's plenty of shade from the great sprawling oak, pohutukawa and Moreton Bay fig trees, many of which are 100 years old. Couple these with the floral clock, the more classical, formal layout around the Victorian fountain, LA-style palm trees, old-fashioned drinking fountains, beautiful beds of bright red canna lilies and abundant bird of paradise plants and the look is stunning.

Of course you could choose to be a good citizen and take in the many statues for a history lesson, admire some contemporary sculpture from Neil Dawson, wander through the Bruce Wilkinson Collection Museum or the Auckland Art Gallery.

Or you could just lay down your picnic rug, admire the surroundings and listen to the birds. If you've been wondering where all the sparrows have gone, they're alive and well and living in Albert Park.

CHELTENHAM BEACH, DEVONPORT

For the best views of Rangitoto, nothing beats Cheltenham Beach at the end of Cheltenham Rd. At low tide, the island looks so close, it's tempting to try to paddle across. Bad idea. It's further than it looks. Best just to plant yourself on the golden sand or, if you'd prefer, on the grass under a tree. Then all you need to do is put your sun umbrella up, try not to get sand in the sandwiches and watch the boats coming and going.

This is the beach of nostalgic family holidays past where melting ice-creams are compulsory. And when you get too hot, the calm, gentle waters are a short stroll away - unless the tide's out, then it's more of a brisk walk.

For the exercise-minded, it's always fun to walk the length of the beach deciding exactly which beachfront villa you'd buy if you had a few spare million. Otherwise, North Head is along to the right and you could give up the StairMaster for a week by the time you've climbed to the top. The views are worth it. A word of caution ... Cheltenham is no secret, so expect to share the beach with the hordes.

LAKE PUPUKE

Forget lazing about on the shores of Lake Pupuke. This deep crater freshwater lake on the North Shore is a destination for those who think a lie down with a good book is a waste of time. This is, after all, where Olympic kayaking silver medallist Ben Fouhy has been known to train.

Expect plenty of windsurfers, yachties, rowers and model yacht enthusiasts to flock to the 107ha lake to get a bit of practice in.

Ah, well. That leaves the green and pleasant shoreline of Sylvan Park (off Sylvan Park Ave) for the rest of us. And, if half the picnickers are keen on watersports and the rest just want to relax, this could well be the perfect solution. It is inevitable, though, that the non-adventure-seekers will end up being the ones who fire up one of the two on-site barbecues (remember the 50 cent coins to make them work).

PT CHEVALIER BEACH

From downtown Auckland, it takes just minutes to reach the seaside suburb of Pt Chevalier - good news if the weather looks a bit changeable.

Take one of the several paths leading off Harbour View Rd from Joan St to Edith St down the grassy slope and you'll end up at the pretty shell beach. No need to cart the sun umbrella down thanks to the large, pohutukawa hanging over on to the beach, and at high tide, chances are you'll end up having to sit on the grass anyway.

Other top spots

MISSION BAY

Ideal for those nervous about leaving their urban playground, as you never even have to leave Tamaki Drive and its thriving cafe culture to get to a beach.

KAWAU ISLAND

This may be a mission to get to, involving a fair bit of planning and a ferry ride, but once you get there, it's quite something. There are beaches within walking distance of the stately Mansion House, home of Governor George Grey, which is now fully restored and open to the public. But the gardens around the house are so nicely groomed, there's really no reason to venture any further on one of the walks.

CORNWALL PARK, ROYAL OAK

When size matters, this has it all: space, trees, grass, a children's playground and barbecues.

AUCKLAND REGIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS, MANUREWA

When it's not being used as a venue for the Ellerslie Flower Show, this is 10ha of native bush.

LONG BAY

This may be the furthest North Shore beach from the city but it's also the busiest due to its long sandy beach, grassy areas, children's playground and shop. Worth the crush.

BASTION POINT, ORAKEI

For uninterrupted harbour views and loads of lovely, comfy grass, this high-rise picnic spot is one of the best.