day trip

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!

May09

For The Kids: Exploring Butterfly Creek

Daniel Vernon Blog, Uncategorized 0 comments

Keeping kids entertained can sometimes be a tricky situation when traveling, but sometimes a good energizing activity during the day can be the perfect answer to wear them out so you can enjoy the night! In this blog we will look at the extremely popular Butterfly creek, a children’s paradise that’s a perfect outlet for energetic little ones.

Located by the Auckland Airport, Butterfly Creek was opened by Husband and Wife duo John Dowsett and Fiona Turner in 2003 and has since grown into a paradise that features a handful of activities that has earnt it such a renowned reputation in the city of sales.

Butterfly Creek labels itself half a zoo and half an attraction, the zoo label is not taken lightly! Butterfly Creek hosts a plethora of critters including otters, monkeys, crocodiles, reptiles, farm animals, native birds and insects and (of course) a butterfly house! There is also plenty of opportunities for children to get in and meet the many animals, with daily encounters every day. You can also travel across the park on a train, so you can take time off your feet, but still have time to take everything in!

One of the most Interesting parts of the zoo is the Dinosaur Kingdom, yes you read that right, take a trip back in time to the prehistoric times that features of sixty dinosaurs – including huge, life-size animatronic dinosaurs! The attraction is also a learning experience for children that includes facts, fossils and ample opportunities for photos!

If you are still up for adventure after Butterfly creek, then right next-door is the company’s sister attraction, Rocket Ropes, which features a handful of rope and climbing course for all ages to enjoy.

So if you want to treat the kids to an original experience that they will enjoy, and full wear them out, give Butterfly creek a visit – and reap the benefits!