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Being located out east has a lot of advantages to it, it’s a lot more quiet for a private and peaceful stay and we are located centrally east that it makes it easy to explore some of the local secret hotspots. One such hotspot is cockle bay, a few minutes from the motel and well worth taking the time to explore!

One of the biggest draws to Cockle Bay is the beautiful Cockle Bay beach which is just off the reserve. The Awaroa Walkway runs along this beautiful sandy beach connecting it to Shelly Park Beach all the way to Musket Point. At the eastern end of Cockle Bay a legendary pohutukawa tree stands, marked in ochre (a natural earth pigmant) by a Manawatere (a chief from the Hawaiki tribe). This beach is accessible on the 6 bus routes and ample parking is available close to the shore.

Cockle Bay Beach is a tidal beach making it perfect for shellfish hunting during the open season from March 1st – September 31st.

After a days exploring around the beaches, afterwards you can relax and enjoy a meal at a historic favourite, the  Windross of Cockle Bay, a restaurant that is homed in a  gracious historical villa with a sun-drenched wrap-around verandah located on a tranquil beach-front reserve at Cockle Bay. Enjoying beautiful sea views from its romantic setting. Windross is a popular venue for both everyday dining and those special celebrations including weddings. The Windross House Restaurant offers an Italian-style menu with European influences together with a comprehensive wine list which includes both local and imported wines.

If you are looking for a more casual dining experience with a more modern feel and selection, then look no further than The Corner Bar to close off an evening. Positioned on the corner of Picton & Cook Street, The Corner is a casual Restaurant & Bar, serving tapas style dining Noon, Afternoon & Night The Corner operates on a ‘walk-in only basis’ so there is no need to book. There menu is brimming with favourites such as tacos, wedges, burgers, and as we are near the beach it also have some seafood favourites such as shellfish and mussels.

There’s no demystify mg that some activities are just better done at tonight, though enjoyable in the day, having the night time glow and staying out late is just more alluring. We have found five activities that re great to do in the day, but even better by Night.

West Coast Beaches

The rugged West Coast is a stunner. Fine black sands, mighty surf and the roar of the ocean combine into a stunning view and unforgettable experience. The only thing better than a West Coast beach is a West Coast beach by night. Pack a picnic, cuddle up under a blankie, slip your arm around your loved one and watch as the sun drifts across the sky, lighting it up with rich hues of orange, pink and purple. This is the classic sunset picnic date at its best.

Play Night-time Golf

If you need to let of a bit of steam or just need to entertain a large group look no further, because Auckland has you sorted. If you need to just whack some balls out into the dead of night, then head to the diving range out by the airport, but if you need to entertain, have some drinks and impress a group, then head to Holey Moley. This bar slash golf course, situated on the stunning Viaduct Harbour is open until 1am. On the bottom floor, there are two nine-hole courses, with each hole crazier than the next. Think trying to get a hole-in-one on an Operation board or on a crowd surfing stage. There’s a Hobbiton hole, a crazy clown hole and even an ET hole. Each one is designed for interaction—you can hop on the bike with ET to reach the sky or sit on a Harley Davidson for some speed. Holy Moley also has a bar that makes some very delicious cocktails!

Night views of  Auckland Views At The SkyTower

One can truly appreciate the beauty of Auckland at night from up high—and what better way to do so than at one of the restaurants or cafes in the SkyTower? For the most opulent of treats, head to the 53rd floor where the team at The Sugar Club will serve up delicious dishes, under the guidance of Peter Gordon. Further down, Orbit 360 offers great food while rotating around the SkyTower, so north, west, east or south—you see it all.

Devour Late Night Sweet Treats

We’re all familiar with the phenomenon of a midnight craving—waking up with your tummy rumbling and rummaging through the fridge in search of something to satisfy your hunger. Well, the good news is you can get your sugar fix at a myriad of Auckland venues. Our favourites? Check out The Fed for their ‘late shift’ menu which includes a scrumptious New York cheesecake or pop on down to Giapo, serving up out-of-this-world gelato right into the night. And your sweet tooth aches most nights, you can always work your way down our list of places where you can satisfy your late-night cravings.

Play Paintball In The Dark

For those of you with a competitive streak, night-time paintball is the ultimate evening activity. Asylum Paintball challenges you to prove your stealth, aim and courage by trumping in a night-time game. Run across their indoor-outdoor arena, practising tactical moves and getting some exercise while you’re at it. In the evening the arena is illuminated by light, making it a stunning place for ruthless competition. It’s one of the best things to do in Auckland at night.

As we head into March things begin to get a little cooler as the summer months begin to wind down, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t heaps of events and activities on to enjoy! As always we have done our research and found some of the best events on this month out east for the whole family to go enjoy! Here’s what’s on:

Movies in Parks: Incredibles 2

One of the last movies in the park of the season, if you haven’t experienced this yet, you need to! These events are perfect for the whole family, you can bring along a picnic and a blanket or chairs, or grab a bevy of food from the many food stalls, the movie kicks off when the sun goes down at seven thirty. This months offering is The Incredibles 2 – In this sequel, Helen is in the spotlight, leaving Bob at home with Violet and Dash to navigate the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life. It’s a tough transition for everyone, made tougher by the fact that the family is still unaware of baby Jack-Jack’s emerging superpowers. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone must find a way to work together again – which is easier said than done, even when they’re all Incredible. Be sure to get there early to make 5e most of the stalls and to find yourself a good spot!

Comedy Live

If you are looking for a good giggle and a night out then you will want to head to the Uxbridge arts and culture centre for their monthly comedy live set. This month Wilson Dixon who will bring his unique brand of laconic storytelling and hilarious songs back to Uxbridge. You are in for a night of laughter from this slow-speaking, wise-cracking Colorado cowboy; Wilson Dixon.Joining him on stage will be some of the best up and coming comedians, so if you are looking to start you weekend off right with some reasonably priced giggles, look no further.

Foam Party with Bubble Soccer on Ice

I feel like this event really sells itself in the title, but if you need any more convincing, it’s a foam party that happens at the paradise ice rink in Botany and is a great event for the whole family to enjoy – no matter your skill levels! Have fun skating through the bubbles and getting involved in all the mini events including bubble soccer?

The Sound of Music

If you are looking for something a little less hectic, then why not take in a little bit of musical theatre?

One of the world’s best-loved musicals, The Sound of Music tells the uplifting true story of Maria, the fun-loving governess who changes the lives of the von Trapp family with her infectious love of music and kind heart. The legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical includes some of the most memorable songs ever performed on the musical theatre stage, And Harlequin Musical Theatre is proud to bring you this glorious production on the 60th anniversary of both its own establishment and the year the musical originally premiered on Broadway in 1959 to record-breaking advance ticket sales.

Do you consider yourself a history buff? Or are you looking for an activity that takes place primarily indoors during the winter weather, or just want to see some of Auckland’s most visited and reasonably priced attractions? Then you can’t look past some of the city’s best museums!

Auckland War Museum

One of Auckland’s first and most well-known museums, the Auckland War Memorial Museum tells the story of New Zealand and its people. Perched on the highest point of the Auckland Domain, it has a beautiful white exterior and houses extensive Māori galleries, dinosaur exhibitions, WW1 and WW2 memorials, a volcano room and features an ever-rotating range of short-term exhibitions, from Lego to butterflies to the history of New Zealand music and so much more.

Motat

The Museum of Transport and Technology is full to the brim of fun things for kids and kids-at-heart, all focused around aircrafts, cars, trams and other technologies. Their exhibitions are super interactive and allow you to do, experience and learn. There’s also a historical village where you can sit in some old-school church pews or take a turn in the stocks if you’ve been a little bit naughty!

New Zealand Maritime Museum

Being on an island in the middle of nowhere, its goes without saying we would have a museum dedicated to the innovators and dreamers who forged New Zealand’s spirit of exploration, from the first discovery by Kupe, to one of the most courageous migrations by the Polynesian peoples, to Abel Tasman and then Cook.

This museum features a fascinating glimpse into our wonderful relationship with the sea as explorers and every day New Zealanders that shares inspirational stories throughout extensive galleries, exhibitions, programmes and on-water experiences. Situated in Auckland’s vibrant Viaduct Harbour, this is an easy one to travel to and you can take in the surrounding cafes and views afterward!

Glenbrook Vintage Railway

This one is for train enthusiasts everywhere, located out south is a museum that has been heralded as New Zealand’s premier heritage train attraction. The Glenbrook Vintage Railway features a heritage steam train railway that was initiated when the New Zealand Government Railways announced the closure of the old Waiuku branch line. This attraction features themed days all based around trains: Day out with Thomas for the kids, Steam traction festivals, Railfan day and more! It’s also open to just explore and learn and is well worth the trip out south!

Welcome back to another edition of the blog where we do all the hard work for you and troll through all the event pages to source you some of the most interesting and quirky and sometimes popular events to help make your stay a little bit more special! This month is always a great one, we still ave the summer sun and long days, and the city just glows with opportunity. Here’s what’s on in February:

American Express Open-Air Cinemas 2019

Why lower yourself to a stuffy cinema when you can catch films still hot from the projector and all-time classics under the stars this summer? American Express Openair Cinemas is the latest outdoor film series to announce its seasonal lineup.

Happen at Western Springs until the end of the month, movies on this big screen will include just-released hits like Peter Jackson’s post-apocalyptic adventure film Mortal Engines, the Mary Poppins reboot starring Emily Blunt, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s A Star Is Born, DC Comics’ soon to be released Aquaman, plus Dirty Dancing, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Breaker Upperers, and plenty of others.

Pizza, wine and craft beer will also be available and you are also welcome to bring your pets along too!

2019 Auckland Backyard Cricket Championships

Now if you aren’t a local, you’ll probably be wondering r what exactly backyard cricket exactly is, and that’s fair, all you need to know is that it is a traditional and quirky New Zealand sporting tradition and its hella fun to watch!

Backyard Cricket New Zealand along with Crewcut Lawn & Gardens and The Rock Radio Station are excited to announce 6 x 1 day regional events held at various pubs, taverns, bars and clubs around the country, culminating in the first ever New Zealand Champs set to be staged in Auckland!

That’s right, the winner of each regional event qualifies for the NZBYC Champs set to take place at a very special and unique location. Add to this, the NZ Champs will be livestreamed with commentary & instant replays, there are significant cash prizes and loads of giveaways… this truly is the pinnacle in backyard cricket!

If you consider yourself a pro, you can even sign up and participate!

Splore 2019

It is considered the best festival to close of the su mer festival season in New Zealand, and it attracts people from all across the globe, for its music, it’s costumes and positive message. Splore’s multiple stages feature a diverse line-up of compelling musicians, singers and DJs from around the world – but it’s also a place for more than music. For three days, the site buzzes with performing arts, visual and interactive art installations, workshops and forums.

To go to Splore is to be part of Splore. Some Splorers work for months on their habitats in special themed camps, many more on creative costumes for Saturday night. And everyone who sets foot in the park becomes part of the culture: relaxed, positive, friendly – and up for it. Children are people too, and Splore not only welcomes families but offers a family camping area and a dedicated kids’ zone with a full programme of activities and entertainment.

Check out the Splore website for its ever-growing diverse lineup.

Ask any local what is the best activity to do in the area and they will direct you to the Howick historical village, this trip back in time has become an institution of the Auckland region and enjoyable for all-ages, weather you are a kid wanting to step in a magical portal back I time, or a history buff wanting to learn about the early days of New Zealand, Howick historical village of for you, and we will explore just why that is!

The history of Howick

Howick was founded by Governor Captain George Grey originally as a fencible, a chain of villages around the southern aspect of Auckland established to maintain defense to Auckland from any form of attack. Retired soldiers and their families would emigrate to NZ under the fencible scheme which required them to be under 48 years of age and of ‘good character and industrious habits’. They were given a small passage of land and would set up a cottage.

The historical village now acts as a ‘living museum’ that offers a glimpse of what this settlement was like during these times. Visitors are able to walk through the doors of real homes and experience how the early settlers would have lived as they went about their daily activities.

The Experience

Once a month the historical village puts on “Meet the Villagers” Live Days where you are able to watch history unfold around you as actors inhabit the entire space in character. These days are produced every third Sunday in the month (subject to change) and features volunteers who don period costume and set about performing the daily chores and activities of early Howick settlers.

On most “Meet the Villagers” Live Days you will find a marching band, soldier military drills, an educational exhibition that relates to that month’s theme, an opportunity to play Victorian Era games, and a horse and carriage.

The historical village also features a museum shop and homestead café, the museum is a one of a kind shop that sells gifts that are tailor made to the era: old fashioned toys, Beatrix Potter Memorabilia, inexpensive jewelry, Lavender and rose scented items, or just some good old-fashioned sweets!

The homestead café offers genuine home cooking in a colonial setting, In keeping with the old world charm and character of the heritage building, the food reflects good home-cooked fare.