adventure

Nov19

Make the Most of Summer in Howick

Daniel Vernon Activities 0 comments

Summer is finally here, and if you are planning to spend some time with us out east and want to get out and enjoy the sun, then you are in a prime location! Whether it is getting active, lounging in the sun or seeing what nature has to offer, we have a list of unique ways to get out in the summer sun in East Auckland:

Catch A ferry, Enjoy the Water!

Being located so close to the ferry terminals mean that you are just a smooth ride from a lot of popular destinations, including Waiheke Island and Rangitoto. For the perfect afternoon turned evening, hop on the ferry to Half Moon Bay, where you’ll be able to stroll along the marina before grabbing a bite to eat at Grangers, one of the most popular restaurants out east!

Pack a Picnic, Take in The Views

If you are looking for a decent walk, stunning views, and a DIY lunch, then we can’t recommend starting your day strolling along the Pohutukawa Coast Trail, which wins you through most of East Auckland. This magnificent 5km walkway will take you from Whitford all the way to Umupuia, just a 10-minute walk from Clevedon. From there, we’d suggest taking a picnic and setting up under a tree at Omana Regional Park and take in the stunning views of Rangitoto and Motuihe islands. End your day by enjoying a post-meal afternoon stroll from Half Moon Bay to Bucklands Beach and if it’s a hot day, take a dip into the sun-soaked waters!

Adventure, With a Sprinkle of History

Speaking of the water, if you’re into kayaking and want to get out on the water and learn a little something on the way, we have the perfect adventure for you. Embark on the multi-day, self-guided kayaking tour along Te Ara Moana. Meaning ‘the sea-going pathway’ in Māori, this route is rich in history and was once used for traveling between settlements. The trip takes five days and will see you set off from Omana Regional Park in Maraetai and ending up at Waharau Regional Park.

Spends Some Time with the Animals Of East Auckland

A great day trip idea if you have the wee ones with you is to take them to the many places to see and pet the many animals out east! First, we have to recommend Cuesta Alpacas in Hunua which essentially a farm with 100 Alpacas which offers tours in which you can get up close with the Alpacas. If you are more of a bird watching group, then head to the bird gardens out east which is run by Blake Twigden, a talented artist and conservationist who has created one of East Auckland best-kept secrets that is home to several native and exotic birds.

Sep05

Picnic spots and secret stops part one: Breweries

Daniel Vernon Activities, Blog, food and drink 0 comments

Sometimes it is hard to decide where to eat, with a pleather of options in the city it can become a daunting task. In this two-part blog, we are going to explore different ways of enjoying food by looking at some of Auckland’s hidden gems and setting that takes a bit of exploring and travel to find!

One thing this country, and city, is proud of is its breweries, so we had to dedicate part one of the blog to Auckland best secret breweries.

Sawmill Brewery

Our first one is a bit of a drive, all the way out to Matakana in fact, but trust me when I say its worth the drive. Sawmill has thrived in popularity as one of the cities greatest export, and now it can also add a mouth-watering restaurant to that list – because a good beer should always be paired with a good feed. Their free-range selection also adds a bonus wholesome reason to visit.

Hallertau Brewery

Located in the heart of Riverhead boast another one of New Zealand’s finest craft beer breweries. But trust me when I say these guys know beer, and know what to pair well with beer, as their bustling restaurant flaunts dishes made with ingredients sourced from their on-site garden, so you know you’ll be eating the freshest food and drinking the freshest beer!

But no brewery is complete without a large Biergarten (that’s German for beer garden) and while you enjoy the adult playground that is the brewery, the kids can enjoy the on-site children’s playground as well. This venue is often filled with live music and plenty of banter, so be sure not to skip out on this one.

Brothers Beer

This brewery has been said to be the best in Auckland, but we will leave that one up to you to judge and you have the choice between two locations to travel too. The first is in the heart of the city in Auckland’s city Works Depot that features eighteen freshly crafted beer on tap and over two hundred bottles of beer to choose from. The location is great to soak in those afternoon sun rays after a day of exploring and try some of their popular pizza’s while you’re there.

But that’s not your only option, if you want to avoid the hustle-and-bustle of the city centre then hidden away in an unsuspecting suburban street in Mt. Eden is the Brother Beer Juke Joint BBQ. This second location pairs the freshly brewed craft beer with mouth-watering BBQ such as pork ribs, brisket, slaw, buns and homemade sauce. And with a huge courtyard made for large groups, this is a hidden gem well worth sharing.

Jul31

Exploring South Auckland Adventure Parks

Daniel Vernon Activities, Blog 0 comments

One of the greatest things about being located out south is the handful of adventure parks hidden around the area! Many visitors may only know about Rainbows end, but today I’m going to let you in on some local favorites that the whole family can get into!

Pirate Themed Adventure Golf

Declaring themselves as New Zealand’s first adventure golf company, this pirate-themed miniature golf attraction has become the pride of South Auckland since 1997. The company remove the tediousness of mini golf and adds some excitement by curating all their courses around a pirate theme.

As you embark on the game you will have the opportunity to putt over pirate ships, past cascading waterfalls, through haunted treasure caves and past shark-infested waters. Adventure Golf appeals to all ages and is an excellent way for the whole family to get out and make the most of a nice day, have some laughs and a little healthy competition!

Lock and Load with Some Paintball

If mini golf is just a little too slow and you want a little bit more excitement in your day then look no further than Lock and Load Adventures! This adventure park features paintball in four themed courses, laser tag, and archery! Paintball is the most popular option as you get to navigate and shoot paint at your friends and family through your choice of courses including D-Day landing, Area 51 and Dawn of the Dead graveyard! Other options include bow and arrow tag (with soft arrows), laser tag battles in the arena or archery practice for all you Robin Hood’s out there!

White Water in the City

Keep the adrenaline pumping and cool off with a crazy whitewater rafting experience in the heart of South Auckland! Vector Wero is Auckland first white whitewater adventure park that features two white water rafting courses and 9,000 square meters of beautifully clear water to explore, it’s a thrill seekers playground. This is perfect for thrill-seeking families and can be enjoyed by kids as well!

There’s more than just white water rafting as well, the park also includes paddling and pizza by the lake (it’s as fun as it sounds), as well as the option to hire a hire a kayak or Stand-Up Paddleboard, race down rapids or take on the world’s highest man-made waterfall. Whether you want to get your adrenaline fix or just paddle in the water – this is one not to be missed!

Jul04

Auckland On Foot: Four Great Walks In The City

Daniel Vernon Activities, Blog 0 comments

Nothing beats a good walk on a nice day, it’s a great way to keep fit, take in the natural splendor, and in most cases, practically free to do. One of the great things about being located in the outer reaches of the city is that it’s relatively easy to get to, and experience, many of the great walks the city has to offer in and around the large city limits.

So, for those who like to keep active on your holiday, we have picked four of our favorite local hotspots!

Rangitoto Summit

Auckland is built in and around about forty-eight volcanos (don’t worry they are extinct for the most part) Rangitoto being the youngest and as a result, offers one hell of a view from its peak. The walk to the summit takes about an hour, but there are also other small tracks and history to explore across the island. So, chuck on a decent pair of shoes, catch a return ferry from the city center and go climb a volcano!

Hunua Falls

This living and breathing New Zealand advertisement features a twenty-eight-meter-high waterfall and a bevy of swimming holes, and you may want to take a dip as you’ll work up a sweat on the three to four hour walk it takes to get there (there are shorter walks to enjoy, if you aren’t in the mood). Surrounded by beautiful New Zealand bush, this is one hidden Kem you won’t want to miss out on!

Coast to Coast Walk

Ranked as one of the top ten city hikes in the world by Lonely Planet, this is one you’ll want to your list of must-do walks! Plus, it’s one of the only walks in the country that links from one side of the country to the other! These sixteen kilometers walk weaves from the Waitemata and Manukau harbors, taking you on a journey through Auckland volcanos, Maori history, photogenic views and historic landmarks. This is a whole day trip so pack a bottle and decent pair of shoes – it’s gonna be a great journey!

Okura Bush Walk

Step out of the city and deep into the rich New Zealand wilderness on this three-hour hike that will take you across cliff tops and through the natural wilderness on a round track through Stillwater, a ten-minute drive out of Albany. Pack a picnic and sturdy pair of shoes and book this one in on a nice day!