Mission Bay

By CHARLOTTE COSSAR.

There is no other way to describe Mission Bay than as a culinary mecca. Brimming with restaurants and cafes, dozens of tables frequented by savvy patrons line the pavements, making it almost impossible to choose the best place to eat and be seen.

Coming to life in summer, although only slightly less popular in winter, Mission Bay is a magnet for well-heeled punters looking for a great place to eat with a buzzing atmosphere to while away the morning, afternoon and maybe the evening.

Originally taking its name from Mission House, the area is a desired destination for many Aucklanders looking for a stylish address sure to impress at dinner parties.

Still a focal point of the area, 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.

Andy McDonald, who manages Mission Bay Barfoot & Thompson, says from the famous Fishpot Cafe right through to the upmarket restaurants and brasseries, Mission Bay has become the cafe set of the Eastern Bays - "and why not with the local eateries spilling on to the sidewalk Riviera style".

He says 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 becomes 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."

He adds that the local jazz festival is a highlight on the calendar and draws sightseers from all over Auckland.

However, what makes this vibrant area special? Says McDonald: "I love working in Mission Bay, because of its unique ambience. It is probably slightly decadent to say, but what could be better than relaxing in a sidewalk cafe drinking decent coffee watching the world go by in your own slice of paradise."

AMENITIES

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 shops, including a supermarket, video store, stationer, chemist, a number of cafes and a few specialist retailers.

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

WHO LIVES HERE?

Mission Bay is home to a cross-section of residents, from the older more established homeowner 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.

HOMES AND HOUSE PRICES

A variety of homes fill its boundaries, from the original homes built in the 1920s to state homes built on the Orakei border in the 1940s and 1950s. McDonald says 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.

House prices range from $300,000 for units and small apartments and $500,000 for entry-level ex-state homes to multi-million-dollar properties with sensational views. For a three-to-four-bedroom townhouse, you can expect to pay from $600,000 to $1 million, depending on size and views.