As we head towards the middle of the year and deep into the throws of winter, and after the events of lockdown we begin to explore our own backyard, you may feel the lack of stretching sunshine days may result in a lack of activities – but this is far from the case! Even if the weather packs in during your visit, there is still a multitude of activities in the city that are perfect for the whole family!

Save Ferris

Take a step back in time and experience the joys of early gaming with this arcade that will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped through a time warp right back into a classic 80s arcade—think pinball machines, vintage comics and cartoon projections.

Serving a wicked range of predominantly New Zealand craft beers, the bar has it all, from cocktails to fine whisky. For hardcore craft beer aficionados, Save Ferris is conveniently located above the beer jerk bunker who themselves carry an impressive range of international brews. 

Perfect for a date, or to show the kids your skills, save ferris is the perfect rainy day activity!

Mt Albert Aquatic Centre

Just because it ain’t summer, doesnt mean you can’t go for a dip or expericnce the thrills of wavves at the ebach – indoors!

Known affectionately by locals as the Wave Pools, Mt Albert Aquatic Centre is famous fo it’s pools that create some waves. If you’re more of a serious swimmer, there is the classic 25m rectangular pool. For everyone else there is the wave pool that mimics a beach. Relax in lazy river, best spent floating on a doughnut, or don’t, and go down the hydro slide till you’re dizzy. For the kiddies there are hours of entertainment from watching the bucket water feature fill up and guessing which one will flip next. For the adults this sight is pretty entertaining to watch from the spa.

Holey Moley

Speaking of taking summer activities indoors, one of Auckland’s latest most popular venues is Holey Moley – incredibly themed indoor mini golf with a bar to boost!

Situated on the Viaduct, there are three nine-hole courses, two downstairs and one upstairs. Firstly, have your photo taken on the Simpson’s couch or in the Flinstone’s car. Then, head to the bar and choose a cocktail that suits your mood – choose from the Caddy Classics or the House Signature!

On the bottom floor there are two nine-hole courses, with each hole more crazy than the next. Think trying to get a hole-in-one on an Operation board or on a crowd surfing stage.

Upstairs the magic continues. Here you’ll find another bar and, if you happen to be super famous and want a bit of privacy a hidden door gives you access to yet another nine-hole course. From a scene from Jaws to a sitting room with images of iconic Kiwis from your childhood like Suzy Cato, your jaw won’t leave the floor!

With Level Three now days away, life under lockdown will have fewer restrictions as we slowly inch towards a sense of normalcy. But as we continue to live under lockodown, one thing that level two allows us is the option to order takeawys again, and start supporting some of the small business in the city as they start to recover.

So we have mad a list of some of our local favourites that are offering delivery in Level two.

Burger Burger
Based in Newmarket, Ponsonby and Takapuna, Burger Burger offers ome of the best burgers in the city. adapting to the conditions, Burger Burger are pulling out all the stops, with DIY burger boxes and other treats (including booze) available for delivery, plus their usual BB goodies available for pick-up – including a valet-style service at their Ponsonby store!

Cibo
This Parnell institution is opening up for business on May 7th, offering a cant-miss three-course pick-up menu with dishes like West Coast whitebait omelettes and Bali duck pancakes, as well as a selection of sides and other additions. With delivery options available, be sure to check out their famous tiramisu and salted caramel pavlovas.

Coco’s Cantina
The Locally famous K-Road Italian inspired restaurant has designed a menu that is surely is to expand as they settle into life at Level 3, with plans also in place to offer family-size freezer meals (yuss). With delivery options as well as pick-up from the restaurant, there really is no excuse to miss out on the famous eats on offer.

INCA
Located in the heart of the city, if you’re in the mood for some fun and flavoursome Peruvian-style food, from acclaimed chefs Nic Watt and Darren Johnson; look no further than Inca! Available for delivery or pick-up, the pair have also put together a range of gourmet meal kits, so you can cook like a pro at home!

Scarecrow
This city-centered establishment offers mouthwatering offerings for each main meal of the day – Get your fill of everything from beautiful breakfasts (their shakshuka is legit) through to pre-dinner mezze and mains. Like many other eateries, they’ve also put together a line-up of chilled, vaccum packed meals with chicken chasseur, beef bourguignon and a winter vegetable tagine all on the menu. Available for delivery or pick-up, this one is well worth a try!

The Pie Piper
Available for pick up, these K-Road favourites are making a name for themselves for their amazing American-style dessert pies – now they’re bringing us mouthwatering treats of the savoury variety! Their new Piper Diner menu features Philly cheesesteak and meatball pomordoro hoagies and a build-your-own breakfast biscuit. Of course, it’d be absolutely criminal not to order one of their sweet pies, or doughnuts from sister company Doornuts while you’re at it.!

We have now fully immersed ourselves into summer, the weather is warmer, the sun is out, and the holiday are quickly upon us! If you are coming up to visit for a period across summer, we have found some essential iconic summer Auckland events that will make the trip that much more worth-while!

Pop-Up Globe Final Season

If you have never had the opportunity to see some of the fantastic performances at the Pop-Up globe theatre, then you have your final chance this summer! After 1206 performances and attracting more than 350,000 Kiwi theatre-goers, the Pop-Up Globe is closing the curtain on its Auckland run before it is dismantled and the company focuses on international touring. Kicking off on December 13, the 2019/2020 season will be the Pop-Up Globe’s last appearance at Ellerslie Racecourse, The full-scale replica of the second Globe Theatre first popped up in 2016 as a one-off event to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

For those who missed out on the last four Auckland seasons, the three-storey Pop-Up Globe replica seats 700 theatergoers over three tiers and includes standing room in the ‘yard’ to recreate the experience of a night out at the 16th century theatre.

The Summer of Love, this final season will see the return of crowd favourite Much Ado About Nothing, and Romeo and Juliet.

Movies in The Park and Silo Cinema

Up with family or looking for a romantic and cheap date? Then look no further than watching a cinema classic in the beautiful summer afternoon air!

First up is Movies in Parks, hosted by Auckland Council, 26 movies set to play from January to April, this movie series gets Aucklanders into our best parks and reserves while watching a range of movies across genres for all ages. Catch classics such as Grease alongside new favorites Aquaman at all your favorite neighborhood parks and reserves.

Second, is catching movies projected on the huge Silos at Silo park! More than a movie experience, come early for great food and drink, play games or let the kids run loose at the playground!  This summer’s lineup including Rocketman, The Princess Bride, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone- and keep an eye on the People’s Choice screening in late February!

Laneway

Easily Auckland, and the country’s, most popular music festival, St. Jerome’s Lane, is gearing up to put on yet another stellar show in January! Held over Auckland Anniversary weekend on 27th January, this boutique festival should be on every Aucklander’s calendar. A range of international and local acts will create an experience like no other, turning the central city into a hub of excitement. Of course, as per every year, Auckland’s best food vendors will keep tummies full and the sun will hopefully shine! Predictably the lineup this year is banging, with The 1975, Rufus Du Sol, Charli XCX, Ruel, Earl Sweatshirt and local favorites The Beths make this one not to miss!

Visiting us in Auckland for business, or travelling around solo this summer? Although there is plenty to do for those travelling in groups, sometimes it’s hard to find those spots that are suitable for one, so if you are looking to relax and look after yourself, we have done the work and found some top spots for one!

Barista Cat Cafe

Grab a coffee, get acquainted with the resident kitties and get ready for a whole lotta patting, talking to cats in baby voices and leaving probably wanting to adopt your own! It’s a great way to add a spin to your morning coffee and have some unique company, and its all for a good cause!

Try A Float

For one of the most out-there and alternative ways to relieve stress and feel good, why not de-robe and slide on into one of Auckland’s top floatation tanks? A one-hour session is the equivalent to four hours quality rest and with no temptation of electronic devices to distract you, you can completely unwind and switch off – perfect for those on business!

Auckland Botanical Gardens

Take a stroll through the greenery, immerse yourself in all the stunning foliage and breathe in all of the incredible scents. There are plenty of short walks around the gardens as well as the Auckland museum, both also perfect for those travelling solo!

The Classic

For a quick and guaranteed pick me up, head on over to The Classic for belly laughs galore. With something going on every night and hosting some of the best local and international acts, you are sure to leave with a side stitch and a grin from ear to ear

Mt Eden

Sometimes we need reminding of the fact that we live in such a beautiful and bountiful city. Where better to remember this than at the top of Mount Eden. With some of the most stellar, panoramic views of Auckland, and with ample space to have some alone time, this may be one of the more predictable spots, but boy, it’s one of the best. Being located pretty much around the corner (and a few more) this is perfect for those wanting to go for a morning jog, or to just get away from the noise of the city.

Save Ferris Arcade Bar

There’s just something so comforting about a blast from the past, and there’s nothing that makes us feel more like children than playing some old school arcade games. Forget your playstation, because pinball is back—this time with beer (or cider if that’s your jam). You can end up here for hours reliving the classics and getting hypnotized by the colorful lights and bells!

It’s the first month of spring which mean we have more daylight to burn! And what better place to be than the big city! And October is not letting up! It is jam-packed with activities that are outdoors, indoors, that go late, require early starts and are perfect for foodies, art fans and anyone with a sense of adventure!

Chelsea Handler

Returning for another hilarious stand-up show, US comedian Chelsea Handler is back with her ‘Life Will Be The Death of Me’ comedy tour – Disarmingly honest and riotously funny than ever, it will showcase the brash and self-deprecating humour that’ she made her name on. Here for one night only at the Auckland Town Hall, don’t miss the opportunity to catch this comedy queen live.

Artweek Auckland

See the quirky and talented side of the city as Artweek Auckland takes over ten suburbs across the city. Showcasing art of the talented artists in our city, you can get amongst free walking tours, workshops, exhibitions, tattooing and so much more across this ten-day festival. From the first-ever outdoor art market to the return of Late Night Art, and creating your own masterpiece, it’s time to get artsy in Auckland.

Festival Italiano 2019

The largest Italian festival in New Zealand is back, bringing more pasta, art, pizza, wine and cars you can poke a stick at. Festival Italiano takes over the streets of Newmarket once again, with al fresco lunches from leading Italian eateries, a pop-up Italian bar, and a market with more than 40 stalls.

ASB Auckland Marathon

Get that summer body ready, or just put it to the test with the famous Auckland Marathon! It’s time to sign up for your race of choice, start training and hit those fitness goals. With no rules how to run the five distances on offer, It sprawls across our beautiful city, with views of the harbour and ports to inspire you for the last push of the race.

Taste of Auckland

One of Auckland’s most delicious events of the year is set to transform Queens Wharf into a foodie playground. Taste of Auckland returns with some old favourites like Culprit, Lowbrow and Xoong showcasing delicious bites, and new additions like modern Indian cuisine by Michelin-starred chef Manjunath Mural of Epicer. Headlining the foodie festival is Marco Pierre White, considered the ‘godfather of modern cooking, heading to the event for an exclusive multi-course dinner for charity.

Vegans get a bad rap, and sometimes it can feel like you are a little excluded in where you can go to eat, but that certainly is not the case in Auckland! We are packed with so many vegan choice that you could almost be hard-pressed to find the perfect location! Well, don’t fear my friends as we have whittled down our top five choice, that are perfect even for your herbivore friends!

Wise Boys

Just because you’ve gone vegan, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on greasy, mouth-watering classic American burgers, and Wise Boys have you covered! This take-out style, hole-in-the-wall joint has two tables should you want to devour on the spot. The selection is where it is at though, you will find the traditional style burgers like The Classic Cheese and The Spicy Mex or explore a more creative flare with the “fancy boys” list feature treats such as The Dirty Boy.

Tart Bakery

There’s nothing more kiwi than a good pie in the morning, and in all honesty, no matter your diet, Tart hands down has the best pies in Auckland. The fully stocked pie cabinet has all of the classic flavours—only made from plants. We’re talking ‘mince and cheese’, ‘creamy chicken’ and the classic ‘sausage rolls’. If you have a sweet tooth then one look at the sweets and pastries will have you drooling—beautiful berry danishes, chocolate croissants, iced donuts and daily cakes galore.

Mondays

Although not fully vegan, the mostly plant-based eatery has a courtyard decorated with lush green vines, comfy couch style seating and plenty of tables to fit larger groups. Its perfect for brunch – the citrus waffles with lemony coconut ambrosia, fresh citrus, vegan meringue and chocolate sauce make for a sensational breakfast. If you’re feeling more savoury then the barbeque jackfruit sliders are a real win—slow braised barbeque jackfruit with coleslaw, smoked paprika aioli and alfalfa sprouts!

Lord of the Fries

This one has etched out a name for itself in Auckland and New Zealand, offering classic fast-food that features all the classics—cheese-burgers, chicken burgers, fish burgers—except all free of animal products of course. The take-away style makes for a quick and easy meal to pick up on your way home to devour on the couch for maximum treat yo’self vibes.

The Butcher’s Son

Our final eatery comes with a motto i’m sure we can all get behind:  “delicious on your tastebuds, easy on your conscience, and better for the environment”. Their entire menu is made without any animal products, their takeaway packaging is biodegradable, and they proudly support local produce suppliers. The food is just as fantastic as they advertise! Mozzarella sticks, shitake mushroom and crispy pork bao buns, tacos and nachos, beet burgers, and sunfed chicken miso slaw burgers too.