When I tell people where I’m from, I generally get one of two responses – either they wax lyrical about their holiday in New Zealand, or about how it’s top of their to-visit list. It’s all very heart-warming and makes me proud that so many people want to visit my gorgeous little country. But seduced by the pristine beaches of Northland, the unique volcanic landscape of Rotorua, or the Lord of the Rings landscapes of the south, many of those visiting New Zealand stop in Auckland only for as much time as it takes to board another flight. In my humble opinion, this is selling my hometown massively short. The only item on my What Not To Do in Auckland List is – skipping Auckland. Instead, I tell people to take a day or two to experience a quirky little city in one of the most beautiful settings in the world.
Pretty cool spot, huh?!
So what should you do in Auckland? There’s the major tourist attractions like the Sky Tower, the Viaduct and Auckland Museum – but to really get a taste of Auckland life, try one of these…
Escape to an island
My Two Feet at Waiheke Island
Your only problem will be picking which one! You could try sun-soaked Waiheke Island with its golden beaches, quirky township and many vineyards – a recipe for a happy afternoon. Or if you’re feeling slightly more athletic, climb Rangitoto Island for stunning views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. If wildlife watching is your thing, head to Tiritiri Matangi, an island sanctuary that is home to more than 30 species of birds and many other fauna. All of these beauties are just a short ferry ride from central Auckland.
Have a coffee or three (and brunch)
The coffee is so good, it’s self-aware!
Sadly, it took me moving to the other side of the world to realise, Kiwis really do make the best coffee. Strong and black, milky and light, or even that toughest of orders, soy – New Zealand baristas just make them better! And we often pair a great coffee with brunch, my favourite meal of the day. A serious weekend institution, brunch will usually involve a coffee (or three) and juice, a delicious meal along the lines of eggs benedict or french toast, and either a massive catch-up with friends or family, or the perusal of an entire weekend newspaper (minus the boring bits). Bliss!
Check out a festival
Party on the Fan Trail for the All Blacks v Tonga Rugby World Cup opening game
From jazz to rock, wine to crafts, and Pasifika to Chinese New Year, Auckland packs in the celebration. The Sky Tower will be lit in brilliant colours, people will turn out in droves for parade, and the city will embrace the culture or occasion. Auckland really showed it knows how to party during the Rugby World Cup 2011, where I had an absolute blast. My favourite annual festivals are the Waiheke Jazz Festival, the Devonport Food and Wine Festival, and the Grey Lynn Festival, but there’s loads all year round so check out a calendar when you’re visiting to see what’s on.
Beach Yourself in the West
Baylys Beach
The golden sands of the North Shore will always be home to me, but the West Coast of Auckland has some of the most stunning scenery in the country. Bush-covered ranges plunge down to beautiful black sand beaches, and more often than not you’ll only share the beach with a handful of people, if there are any around at all.
My Top Tips:
- In my opinion, the best time to visit Auckland is February and March, when the weather is sunny and settled – and if you’re from the Northern Hemisphere you can delight in the fact that you’re skipping winter!
- Try staying outside the city centre – Auckland has many great suburbs with their own attractions that mean you can try life as a local, rather than being cooped up in a hotel. Takapuna, Mount Eden, Kohimarama or Titirangi would be great places to start.
- Even though it’s New Zealand’s biggest city, I now know that the pace of life in Auckland is still pretty slow, so relax and take your time!
Have you visited Auckland? If you live there, what are your top tips?
I was invited to write about Auckland for GiffGaff’s Top Things to Know About Your HomeTown campaign, which you can find out more about here
