Mission Bay

The gorgeous and delightful seaside suburb is hard to beat on location, style and action - but it doesn't come cheap. By CHARLOTTE COSSAR.

Mission Bay is a suburb with an attraction all of its own - distinctly Auckland chic with something for serious culinary aficionados as well as determined exercisers, be they walkers, runners or cyclists (plus roller bladers, skateboarders and an assortment of others!).

The unquestioned popularity of Mission Bay as a summer destination is coupled with its ability to act as a magnet for well-heeled punters looking for a great place to eat with a buzzing atmosphere to whittle away the morning, afternoon and evening.

Brimming with restaurants and cafes, dozens of tables frequented by loyal patrons - often including many of the nation's public figures - line the pavements, making it virtually impossible to choose the best place to eat and be seen.

Originally taking its name from the Mission House, the area is a desired destination for many Aucklanders looking for a stylish address.

Still a focal point of the area, the Mission House, which was established by the Melanesian Mission in 1858, has been through many changes over the years. Now, it has reinvented itself as a popular cafe-cum-brasserie, which typifies what Mission Bay is about.

From the famous Fishpot Cafe through to the upmarket restaurants, Mission Bay has become the trendy embodiment of the Eastern Bays - and why not with the local eateries spilling on to the sidewalk Riviera style.

Locals and visitors alike can be seen most days enjoying their lattes while taking in the panoramic harbour views reaching to Rangitoto and beyond.

The grassy strip between Tamaki Dr and the beach transforms into a seething mass of activity on the weekends with children enjoying the playground at one end while casual games of touch rugby and family picnics take place around the fountain and along the balance of this popular reserve.

Events such as jazz festivals, art exhibitions and numerous other cultural events serve as a highlight on the calendar and draw sightseers from all over the city.

The area is well-served with amenities, including a regular bus service from the city along Tamaki Dr, which services all the Bays. On Kepa Rd, Eastridge Mall provides a variety of shopping, including a supermarket, video shop, stationer, chemist, more cafes and a few specialist retailers.

There are number of schools in the area, from primary through to secondary, and the area is replete with reserves and parks ideal for a quiet stroll away from the waterfront and its rather energetic inhabitants.

Mission Bay is home to a cross-section of residents, from the older, more established, homeowners to professional singles and couples. In the past 10 years or so there has been an increasing number of families moving to the area, favouring it for its relaxed seaside lifestyle close to the CBD.

The housing stock varies from the original homes built in the 1920s to state homes built on the Orakei border in the 1940s and 1950s. Many of the original homes have either been demolished or their sites subdivided to make way for luxury homes and townhouses, and apartments of various sizes and styles are mostly located along the waterfront enjoying the breathtaking sea views.

Prices are not cheap. Single bedroom units are likely to fetch in the $300,000s while other homes, be they townhouses or larger houses, are likely to sell for anywhere from $600,000-plus through to the $2 million mark, depending on location, section size, distance from the waterfront - and, especially in this maritime location - the views.