In the last week of February, I was lucky enough to go on a short trip to Auckland with Flight Centre and Visit Auckland. The experience was nothing short of amazing! If you have been following me on Instagram, you would have seen some of what I got up to on the trip. But here, I’ll highlight what has been some of my favourite, most memorable parts of my stay in Auckland!
Waiheke Isaland
Just a short 35 minutes ferry ride away from Auckland City, Waiheke Island’s rolling hills is the perfect setting for relaxing getaway. It’s also known as New Zealand’s island of wine. Out of the few wineries I got to visit, Mudbrick Vineyard and Cable Bay Vineyard were my absolute favorites! It wasn’t just for their selection of wines but the location of these two Vineyards had the best landscape views there is to offer.
Piha Beach
Piha Beach, is one of the most popular beaches on the west coast of Auckland (around 39kms from Auckland city). With its pounding surf, black volcanic sands and rocky terrain and the perfectly positioned Lion Rock, Piha is renowned for its rugged beauty. If you can, hang around for the sunset over this beach. It’s a spectacular sight to take in.
Matakana Island
This island is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Around an hour drive away from Auckland City, Matakana Island is also known as the jewel of the bay. One of the must do’s on this Island is the Pakiri Beach Horse Rides – you will not regret it! The trial takes you through the pristine sandy dunes of Pakiri Beach and the view on horseback of this beach is simply stunning! To unwind during the night, make a reservation for the Mahurangi Oyster Farm Tour for an unique experience onboard the Shuckle Ferry! The ferry will take you to harvest the delicious oysters, even guiding you through the art of shucking an oyster. Once you put one of these plump, succulent Oysters in your mouth, you wont want to stop!
Last but not least, everyone knows New Zealand is known for their abundance of fresh produce. It’s one of the things I look forward to the most whenever I’m in New Zealand – the food! The Pavilions at Britomart and Ponsonby Central have a range of really cool eateries. My favourites are Ortolana at the The Pavilions and The Blue Breeze Inn at Ponsonby Central.
So next time you visit Auckland, make sure you set aside some time to discover the city’s beautiful surroundings.