5 Things to do in Auckland on a Sunny Day

The sun shines in Auckland for over 2000 hours every year and each of those hours invites outdoor activities to make the most of the warmth.

Auckland is a city obsessed with the sea, sited as it is on an isthmus between two harbours, boats and beaches provide many of the activities for recreation that the locals and visitors love. The East Coast beaches are ideal for swimming, with popular beaches like Orewa, and Brown's Bay to the north of the city; Takapuna, Milford and Cheltenham Beaches close to Devonport, and St Heliers and Mission Bay to the east of the city on the harbour. The west coast beaches are wilder, offering surfing opportunities. Piha, Karekare and further south, Karioitahi all have dramatic black sand, but watch out for the rocky outcrops and potential rips. Swimming in all its forms, from paddling your feet in the shallows to surfing in the wild waves, to diving in the deeper waters of the Hauraki Gulf are all options for a sunny day. Take to kayaking, sailing, windsurfing or rafting. Or throw in a line and catch a fish. Take a cruise or look for shellfish. It's all part of the sun, sea and surf culture.

Take to the water, take a cruise. So where do you cruise to? The Hauraki Gulf has a number of Islands that make great destinations for a day trip out from Auckland. Great Barrier Island is the largest, further out in the Gulf. Rugged and wild, many enjoy trekking, camping and kayaking on and around the island. Tiritiri Matangi is a very popular destination, a wildlife sanctuary for endangered species, such as the Takahe, as well as blue penguins, kiwi and teal. Rangitoto is the iconic island often highlighted in views of the harbour. Being a dormant volcano, it has a pleasing profile, but on land its beauty is glamourized by the huge forest of Pohutukawa trees, which bloom bright red in the summer, leading to their being named the New Zealand Christmas Tree. Waiheke Island is probably the most visited island, with an art and craft community on the island, and a number of lovely white beaches. Art Galleries, coffee shops and vineyards can all be on your Waiheke must-visit list...read more

24 Hours in Auckland

If you only have 24 hours to spend in Auckland, you had better get your running shoes on as we have a great deal to see.

Get an early start, just before sunrise and be waiting to see the dawn from One tree Hill or Mt Eden. Both of these viewpoints will give you fantastic views over the city as well as a glorious panorama from the early rays of the sun as it greets the world. Enjoy the formations of the extinct volcanic cones as the scenery lightens and your views become clearer.

Full of the beauty of the new day, head on down to the waterfront. Auckland is primarily a harbour city, 'the city of sails', and boats and boating occupy a large place in the national culture. The Viaduct is a lovely area to appreciate the harbour views and some of the boats that visit the city. There are a large number of restaurants in the area, but a suggestion is Bellini, on Princes Wharf, which opens at 7.30 am and has a buffet breakfast starting from $10...read more

Five Things to do in Auckland on a Rainy Day

Auckland has a number of fine Museums all suitable for a great browse on a rainy day. Instead of getting a quick overview of what is on display, slow down and read the information, watch all the videos, examine all there is to offer and find the serendipity that is hiding just out of sight. Museums include the iconic Auckland War Memorial Museum, that can easily keep you out of the wet all day, and The Auckland Maritime Museum. Have a fantastic day at MOTAT (the Museum of Transport & Technology) where you can get hands-on with great stuff, but remember that some of the exhibits are outdoors so you may have to do some dashing between showers to see them. There is also Kelly Tarlton's SeaLife Aquarium, while perhaps not being classed as a Museum, is a collection of marine animals, and being underground, you won't get wet from the rain while exploring.

Alberton started life as a two-storied farmhouse, built in 1863, but was extended in 1872 to the 18-room mansion we see today, preserved as a mansion of the colonial elite. Once it was the centre of a 500-acre estate, today it is in the suburb of Mt Albert, surrounded by houses. Highwic, in Epsom, dates from 1862 and is an original pioneering mansion of Gothic style. If you are driving or don't mind a few spots of rain, visit Auckland's first suburb, Parnell (1841) to see a number of older buildings pleasing to the eye. Buildings to note are Hulme Court, the oldest house on its original site, Ewelme Cottage (1863), and The Holy Trinity Church built in 1886. Other historic buildings in Auckland include the Ferry Building on the waterfront, St Patricks Cathedral on Wyndham Street, and the Town Hall on Queen Street...read more

Road Trip: Auckland to Taupo and Central Plateau

Driving from Auckland city to the Central Plateau of New Zealand can take you just over four hours unless you want to enjoy the drive and see the sights on the way; then it can take you as long as you want it to. This route follows State Highway One (SH 1)- the 'main drag'.

Heading south out of the 'City of Sails', the town of Pukekohe is often still considered part of Auckland but is actually a horticultural and farming centre,  a town in its own right, with regular equestrian events. There are also V8 and Supercar racing events at the Pukekohe Park Raceway. Just south of Pukekohe, the SH 2 divides off, the road to Coromandel, Tauranga, and further east. Following SH 1, Pokeno, just off the motorway, is the 'Ice Cream capital of New Zealand' so it is a must to try one of these monster snacks. Meremere is a popular destination for 'petrol heads' and Drifting fans with the Dragway being a major destination during race-days. A little further south, at Hampton Downs, the racing gets more formal at the International Motorsport Park, which offers exhilarating driving options from Go Karts to Camaro V8 Muscle Cars. Te Kauwata has a great little Greenstone factory and shop just of the highway- well worth a stop. From TK you follow the mighty Waikato River south to Huntly, a former coal town that straddles the river with New Zealand's largest thermal (formerly coal) power station on the far bank. The local museum focuses on the coal mining history of the town.

Leave the Waikato River behind, temporarily, at Taupiri, where for a treat for the kids, you will find Candyland.  Nextyou find yourself in Hamilton, a city astride the Waikato River. There are many water-related sports in this area, plus a Zoo, a classic Car museum and other entertainment options. There are a number of lovely riverside parks in Hamilton, and the Botanical Gardens are a special treat...read more