I’ve always loved flowers, and I enjoy getting out of the house every now and then to go exploring, or just for a change of scenery.
I’ve also traveled a fair bit, but have never actually seen cherry blossoms in person before. Thinking of cherry blossoms automatically always makes me think of Japan, and never another country.
Little did I know, Cherry Blossoms actually bloom in New Zealand as well! So when spring came around, I started hearing about Cherry Blossoms from my boyfriend, and later on started seeing content on Cherry Blossoms in New Zealand on social media too!
When the boyfriend suggested a little weekend adventure to check out the cherry blossoms, I had to say yes! With that, it was set that we would be heading to Cornwall Park for a fun and relaxing morning surrounded by pretty pink flowers.
Our Morning at Cornwall Park
We arrived at around 8:30 AM, hoping to enjoy the cherry blossoms before the weekend crowd arrived.
And I’m so glad we went early! There were already a couple of people around, some having picnics, others taking a nice walk, but it was quiet enough, with plenty of space to take photos without too many people being in the shot.
We took our time enjoying the scenery and having a look at the cherry blossoms up close. The blossoms were so delicate and beautiful. There’s also something really lovely about seeing all those soft pink flowers against the greenery of the park.
I would say that I do wish there had been a few more cherry blossom trees, or that the trees had been a little fuller when we visited. But honestly, the area was still incredibly pretty just the way it was.
Finding the Perfect Photo Spot
If you want to take photos where the cherry blossoms look really full in the background, one good tip is to look for areas where the cherry blossom branches hung a little lower. With that, the lower hanging branches will blend with the taller cherry blossoms in the background and make it look very full and pink! It made such a lovely spot for photos and videos.
There were also plenty of blossoms scattered across the ground at the park. What surprised me was how beautiful they still looked! Many of the fallen flowers weren’t brown or damaged at all, and still looked almost perfect. You can also take photos from a higher camera angle looking down, and capture all these pretty flowers.
We also picked up some of the blossoms that had already fallen, played around with them, tossed a few into the air, and took some nice photos and videos.
When and Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Auckland 🌸
Cherry blossoms in Auckland typically bloom around late September to early October, but the timing varies depending on the weather. Since they only last a few weeks, don’t wait too long to visit! I visited Cornwall Park’s Cherry Blossoms this spring, but there are a few other places to check them out around Auckland too!
Here are three places to check out:
- 🌸 Cornwall Park, Epsom — This is where we went! Search Cornwall Park Cherry Blossoms on Google Maps.
- 🌸 Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa — Another beautiful spot to enjoy cherry blossoms and other spring flowers.
- 🌸 Auckland Domain, Parnell — A lovely park to explore, though I’d recommend checking recent blossom sightings before visiting.
All three parks are free to visit!
Tips for Visiting Cornwall Park During Cherry Blossom Season
If you’re thinking about visiting, here are a few things I’d recommend based on our experience.
- Go early. We arrived at around 8:30 AM on a weekend to get ahead of the crowds.
- Look for lower branches. They can make beautiful photo backdrops without needing to touch or pull down the branches.
- Take your time. You don’t need a packed itinerary to enjoy a simple morning outdoors.
- Bring your camera or phone, and a tripod! The blossoms make such a pretty backdrop for portraits, friends or couples’ photos and videos.
Is It Worth Visiting?
I’d say yes, especially if you love flowers, photography, or just want a relaxing activity with someone you love.
I wouldn’t go expecting an endless forest of cherry blossom trees, the cherry blossom trees are in a specific area. Despite that, the flowers are beautiful, the space is large enough, and it’s a lovely excuse to spend some time outdoors. You can even opt to have a picnic nearby in the open space!
We took time enjoying our morning and taking photos and videos. After that, we headed home.
Sometimes the nicest weekend adventures are the ones that don’t need much planning or money.
And now I can finally say I’ve seen cherry blossoms in person! 🌸