Auckland is the largest and most diverse city in Aotearoa New Zealand.  Here you will find gorgeous hiking trails and beautiful beaches only half an hour from anywhere in the city.  From downtown you can catch a ferry to various islands including the well know Waiheke.  Auckland is known for its outstanding food, wine and shopping and is most definitely worth spending some time in.

GANNET COLONY MURIWAI BEACH (WEST)

Here at Muriwai on Auckland New Zealand’s west coast is where you will find a spectacular gannet colony, less than an hours drive from the city centre. The birds start mating and nesting in August with the breeding population reaching peaks in November. The few months following is the best time to visit if you want to see feeding chicks. By March/April the young birds leave the nest and most of the gannets migrate to Australia. Out to sea, the colony continues on two small islands. About 1,200 pairs of gannets nest here each year. To get to the colony you can park in either car park at Muriwai Beach and take the short track to the lookouts. This place can get really busy especially during the summer months, on weekends and when the surf is up as this is a popular surfing beach. Get there early if you want a car park or maybe leave it until late afternoon and you might be lucky to also catch a gorgeous sunset.

WESTERN SPRINGS DUCK POND (CITY)

Western Springs is better known for its concert venue than its duck pond. It is located right nearby the Auckland Zoo and the Museum of Transport & Technology. Not far from the city’s CBD this is a great place to stop and stroll. There are birds galore from geese to chickens, ducks and swans. Even plenty of Pukeko! However, it is not only birds you will find here but also plenty of eels too. You can hand feed them if you are brave enough, they love meat dead or alive. As for the birds remember that bread is not good for them, seeds and grains are best. The ecology here is interesting as water flows to the springs from the lava flows of the Waitemata volcanic field. This includes Mount Eden and Mount Albert. From the springs to the lake and then to the sea. It is estimated that between 1-2 million gallons is released every day. Up until 1902 it was Auckland’s major water supply. Now the Western Springs Wetlands are recognised for its ecological and conservation value. All this right in the heart of Auckland City.

GLENFERN SANCTUARY (GREAT BARRIER ISLAND-EAST)

This is the view of Port Fitzroy from Glenfern Sanctuary on Great Barrier Island. This Sanctuary is a predator controlled regenerating native forest. Open daily from 10-6pm for all public to explore. There are some special endangered species that call this home including birds, a rare lizard and a giant kauri tree. There is accommodation options on site including the old homestead which sleeps up to ten people. This is definitely a place you want to check out if you are visiting Aotea (Great Barrier Island)

PUHOI (NORTH)

Just 50kms north of Auckland off State Highway One you will find the quaint little town of Puhoi. It was originally settled by immigrants from Bohemia in 1863. Puhoi still has the Bohemian feel to it and there is plenty of history to check out in the Bohemian Museum. Other icons in the village include the Puhoi Pub, Church, Hall, Tea Rooms and the Town Library. There are some great hiking tracks in the area and you can hire a canoe to paddle down the Puhoi River for some fantastic scenic views. If you are in the area on the last Sunday of the month you should check out the Puhoi Markets for arts, crafts, cuisine and local produce. For a little place there is a lot to see and do! 

BETHELLLS CAFE (WEST)

Bethells Cafe (food truck) can be found in Te Henga Park at Bethells Beach. Well worth stopping for lunch or a snack if you are heading to or returning from the beach. According to Lonely Planet they do a “roaring trade in burgers (beef and vegetarian)” as well as pizza, cakes and coffees. Toasted sandwiches are also popular with dairy free cheese as an option. During the winter months you might be lucky to find them open on the weekends 10am-4pm but this is weather dependant. If you want to check they are great at letting you know via their Facebook page. Otherwise you will find them open weekends from labour weekend 10-6pm with live music on Friday nights from December. So what are you waiting for? Head out to Bethells Beach one weekend and enjoy some real Kiwi hospitality!

POKENO (SOUTH)

Pokeno is well known in for a couple of things – ice cream and bacon. Now there is nothing special about the ice cream, you can get all the normal flavours including the iconic New Zealand hokey pokey. But what makes this the place to stop for your favourite flavour is that you can get up to ten scoops in a cone! Ten scoops is $14 down to one scoop for $2. Who buys ten scoops? Who knows but the fact that it’s an option is a bit of a novelty. Pokeno is south of Auckland and can be found just as you leave the motorway heading to Hamilton. As mentioned the bacon is a favourite and on a Sunday you will find the local markets on. If you have a book to swap you can do so at the small book case outside the public toilets. And have a look at the rubbish bins, they use some pretty cool technology. The perfect detour between Auckland and Hamilton!

KUMEU FLOWERS(WEST)

This flower trailer can be found on the roadside in Kumeu, just north west of Auckland on the way to Helensville. Most days you will find Peter here, he was a bit too shy for the camera. Peter’s Mum use to sell the flowers, it was something to keep her busy he said. When she passed away about ten years ago Peter and his lovely wife took it over and have been looking after it ever since. Apparently flowers have been sold here for over forty years and use to be all locally sourced. But as Auckland City has expanded with housing the land once used for growing flowers has disappeared. Flowers have never been more expensive to source according to Peter. If you are ever passing through Kumeu do consider stopping and grabbing a bunch of flowers from Peter or just stop for a chat.

AOTEA – GREAT BARRIER ISLAND (EAST)

Aotea, aka Great Barrier Island, is located approximately 100km off shore from Auckland. You can get there from Auckland Airport on a 30 minute flight or by ferry from downtown Auckland which takes just over 4 hours. This island has a population of less than 1000 people and is completely off the grid. A popular summer destination for hiking, camping, fishing, surfing, snorkelling and diving. Last year it was given the status of Dark Sky Sanctuary. One of only four in the world and the only island. If you are a star gazer you will want to add this island to your bucket list!  Read more about Aotea…

PIHA BEACH (WEST)

Piha is known as one of New Zealand’s most famous surf beaches. However, it is also one of the countries most dangerous beaches with its pounding surf and treacherous rips. Many lives have been lost here so it is a beach to be taken seriously. But don’t let that put you off. This is a great place to visit for the day or why not stay for a few days. New Zealand’s West Coast beaches draw you into their moody, wild, mysterious and windswept nature. They really are something special and Piha is no different. Some interesting history is that this place was where Malibu board riding originated. Introduced by two Californians in 1956. As well as surf and sand you will find rugged cliffs and dramatic scenery with the Waitakere Ranges surrounding this coast. The ranges are a protected parkland of sub-tropical forest which you can usually access through a variety of tracks. However, many tracks are currently closed due to the threat of kauri die back. A disease that is threatening New Zealand’s native Kauri tree. If you do visit Piha be sure to take a walk up Lion Rock for awesome views in most directions. And if you do decide to venture near or in the water do be careful, the ocean here is unforgiving.

TE MATUKU OYSTERS (WAIHEKE ISLAND – EAST)

Te Matuku Oysters have to be some of the best oysters you can find in Aotearoa New Zealand!  Farmed near Waiheke Island, in the Hauraki Gulf, they have the perfect marine environment to grow into the most delicious oysters ever. These scrumptious shellfish provide so many of your nutritional needs. In just one serving of five oysters you will get threes time more than your recommended daily B12, 100% of your zinc needs and 30% of your iron for the day. Pacific oysters are also high in protein and a great source of copper, iodine, magnesium, selenium, Vitamin C and Vitamin D. Pretty amazing that so much goodness can be packed into these little morsels! The best place to get them fresh is on Waiheke Island in store at Ostend. Absolutely worth a stop on your way to or from the beach or maybe between your wine tasting adventures.

RONNIE’S CAFE (CITY)

Eating out in Auckland City can be expensive, especially down near the wharf and ferry terminal.  But if you are looking for breakfast, lunch a good coffee or something delicious to take away for the day this place is perfect.  They do all day breakfast and servings are really large!  You can even pick up a whole cake to take away.  Very reasonable prices for down town Auckland and easy to get to on the corner of Albert St and Customs Street West.  Just a 5 minute walk to the Ferry Terminal or Britomart Station.

Looking for the best the Auckland region has to offer? Check out these SIX DAY TRIPS FROM AUCKLAND