An A - Z of Auckland on $10 or less .....
(Updated April 2011)
Ambury Regional Park - visit the small working farm for free and get up close to dairy cows, sheep, pigs, goats and turkeys. There are walking tracks, BBQs and basic camping facilities (no camp kitchen, however there is a kitchen that can be booked for use by small groups). Please note there are no rubbish bins at the park so you need to take all rubbish away with you. Camping charges are $10 pp, per night (a permit is required). It's a convenient place to camp if you need to get to/from the airport. Ambury is located 20 minutes drive south of down town Auckland - Rankers reviews.
Camping in Auckland Regional Parks is inexpensive, there are 35+ camping locations across the city and sites generally cost $5 - $10 per night for adults and $3 - $5 per night for children. You can purchase a year long camping pass if you intend to stay in Auckland regional parks regularly.
Auckland Art Gallery, corner Kitchener and Wellesley Streets reopened on 3 September 2011 following a multi-million dollar redevelopment. There are usually around 800 artworks on display from a collection of 15,000 (browse the collection online). Artworks are on display over four floors and there's also a cafe (level 1) and gallery shop (ground floor).
Albert Park provides a backdrop for the gallery and the espresso bar on level 2 is next to the outdoor sculpture terrace and looks into the park, it's a quiet spot in a busy city. Admission to the gallery is free as are gallery tours that are run at 11.30am, 12.30pm & 1.30pm daily.The Art Gallery is open every day except Christmas day from 10am - 5pm.
Auckland city webcam - check out the weather in awesome Auckland today. Auckland city bungy jump - those aged 75 years and older can jump for free off Auckland Harbour Bridge with AJ Hackett Bungy.
Auckland Symphony Orchestra free Family Concerts (May 2012); and a free Christmas Sing Along - visit Auckland Symphony Orchestra for further details and a schedule of free and charged concerts. Many thanks to the Symphony for the music - our short amateur video of a 2010 concert (includes audience participation - 77 seconds).
Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland Domain www.aucklandmuseum.com
Visit the museum, suggested donation $10 (Aucklanders free) - Trip Advisor reviews. Open Monday – Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
Auckland Writers & Readers Festival (9 - 13 May 2012) www.writersfestival.co.nz
In 2012 there are 12 free events, visit the website for festival details or look out for a programme in libraries and around town. NZ Book Month is celebrated nationwide in March.
Bike hire is over $10 but it's still an affordable way to travel. Your options in the CBD include Adventure Capital, $15 up to 4 hours, $20 a day. (Adventure Capital also hire camping kits).
Breakfast - The Occidental Belgian Beer Cafe in Vulcan Lane has $8.50 breakfasts, Monday-Friday, 7am - 11.30am. Alternatively wake up with a cup of coffee and a bagel at Mecca Cafe in Viaduct Harbour (open from 7am, 7 days). Viaduct Harbour has over 20 bars, cafes and restaurants that look out over a marina. Boat excursions including dolphin and whale safaris depart daily. The Viaduct is a short walk to Queen Street, Britomart Transport Centre and the ferry terminal.
Cross the bridge from the Viaduct to the Wynyard Quarter, Auckland's newest waterfront development. You'll find a play area, information centre (in containers - photograph below), cafes, bars, restaurants, a gelateria and a 1920's tram. Auckland Fish Market is nearby for Oceanz fish 'n' chips. The Wynyard Quarter is an excellent place to get a photograph of Auckland city at night.
Free link buses travel between Wynyard Quarter, Britomart, Queen Street and K'Road. Look out for the red buses - buses are free until 1/1/12, they will remain free for HOP card holders, non HOP card holders will pay 50 cents (adults) and 30 cents (children).
Chancery for coffee - Chancery is in the inner city, is car free, home to upmarket boutiques and has a lively outdoor cafe scene on a fine day. The location is worth finding if you'd like to sit outside on a sunny day and enjoy coffee or gelato - location.
Cheers - If you'd like to sample locally brewed beer visit our Brewpub list and check out the Auckland options. We like the Cock & Bull's latest seasonal brew - Johnny's Ginger Beer ($7 a glass). Hallertau Brewbar & Restaurant is a good option if you'd like a drive out of the city, beer paddles $12. Follow the link to find Auckland
Happy Hours.
Conscious Consumer? If you're a conscious consumer and want to dine in cafes that use free range eggs, recycle and allow customers to take their own cups for coffee, check out the network of Conscious Consumer cafes in Auckland. The conscious cafes Queenies Lunchroom, Freemans Bay and The Library Cafe in Onehunga (mentioned above) are included in our Auckland Cafe Guide.
Dessert - Treat yourself to a mug of hot chocolate and/or a sweet dessert at the Chocolate Boutique Cafe, 323 Parnell Road, Parnell. It's popular and can be difficult to get a table on a fine evening - Trip Advisor reviews. Open 11am - 10pm, 7 days. NZ Herald's list of "Five of the best hot chocolates" in Auckland.
Eat out on $10 in Aucklandhere and if you'd like to BBQyour sausages for free on a sunny Auckland evening pick up a “Park BBQs in Auckland City” brochure from an i-SITE or visit
BBQs in parks.
Ellerslie races -
Fancy a day at the horse races? Ellerslie is New Zealand’s premier racecourse and hosts 26 meetings a year. Confirm race dates and admission fees (often free) on the website. If you are in Auckland in March check the website for Auckland Cup Week events.
Exhibitions - Artstation, 1 Ponsonby Road have free exhibitions, also see what's on at the Auckland Art Gallery, corner Kitchener and Wellesley Streets. ARTSPACE, 300 Karangahape Road have free exhibitions and "Saturday Talks" during exhibitions. ARTSPACE also have a Reading Room where visitors can read local and international contemporary art publications.
Ferry -
Catch a Fullers ferry from down town Auckland and cross the harbour to Devonport ($11 return or $7.50 if you get a saver fare online). Visit www.devonport.co.nz to help you decide what to do while you’re there … sample Devonport chocolates, browse through the old book shops, climb Mt Victoria or visit the Navy Museum. (The Auckland Discovery Pass - buy this pass for $15 and use it to get to Devonport on the ferry and out and about around Auckland on buses and trains).
Free entry to the Navy Museum, 52 King Edward Parade, Torpedo Bay, Devonport (flat 1.3km walk from Devonport pier). Learn about the Royal New Zealand Navy's culture and heritage. The RNZN has assisted the United Nations with peace keeping missions in many countries including Cambodia, Afghanistan and East Timor. Navy ships and personnel were on hand to assist residents in Napier when the 1931 earthquake struck; and residents in Lyttelton when the Christchurch 2011 earthquake occurred.
The museum has a collection of art work, maps and drawings of many RNZN ships. Personal items on display include photos and letters sent home to NZ by Chief Petty Officer Medic Ces Cameron who served in the medical team in Vietnam in 1967. Interactive activities include learning to tap out a message in morse code and trying on a RNZN uniform. Open 10am-5.00pm daily, admission free. Tours - 10.30am & 1pm (gold coin donation appreciated). Torpedo Bay Cafe is onsite and open 8am-5pm daily.
Free lunchtime concert seriesevery Thursday at the Auckland City Library, Lorne Street from 12.10 - 1pm (last concert to be held in the first week of October 2012). New
Free Ports of Auckland Boat Tour - On most Tuesdays at 11am you can take a free one hour boat tour of the Ports of Auckland - follow the link for booking information.
Free WiFi (100MB limit per day) is available at Auckland libraries. Free WiFi with purchase is provided at
Esquires Coffee Houses (there are more than 25 Esquires in Auckland including one at the Auckland city library, 44-46 Lorne Street). No1 Queen Street also provides free WiFi with purchase - look for the glass cube opposite the Ferry Building on Quay Street. Mexicali Fresh on Princes Wharf offer free WiFi with any purchase over $5.
Gelato – Taste before you buy at Casa del Gelato, 288 Ponsonby Rd. Take the opportunity to walk down the road that's a favourite meeting place for Auckland's coffee drinkers. Western Park (photo below) is a good spot for a picnic, it's opposite Cafe Byzantium, 80 Ponsonby Rd. The road is around 1.7kms of cafes, bars, book shops (The Women's Bookshop, 105 Ponsonby Rd was awarded "NZ Independent Bookseller Of The Year 2011"), clothing stores and all sorts in between. A virtual tour - www.ponsonby.org.nz.
Art in the Dark - 9 & 10 November 2012, Western Park, Ponsonby. See illuminating art works, installations, live performances and short films (free annual event to inspire sustainability and eco friendliness).
Get together at Tahaki Reserve in Mt Eden and participate in an informal Fire, Dance and Drum Circle. (Free) New
Head to Albert Park, the inner city garden where you can rest in the shade of an old oak tree.
Hear authors speak about their books, attend book launches and travel nights at the City Library, 44-46 Lorne Street and various suburban libraries. Visit Special Events for a calendar of free events.
Hidden piece of paradise for a picnic - Karaka Bay located at the end of Peacock Street, Glendowie (15 - 20 minute drive from the city via Mission Bay). Walk down the zig zag path to the secluded beach where local Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. NZ Herald article; Bookabach (not for $10 though!) Please note: There are no public toilets at Karaka Bay and we'd recommend parking on Riddell Road as Peacock Street is mainly resident parking only.
Indian curry
Cheap curry lunches are popular in Auckland, a few options include Cease Fire, 187 Symonds Street, city; Nite Spice, Sitar and Raviz (all have branches on Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden); Curry Leaf, 237 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga; Bolliwood, 110 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby; Masala (various locations). Review sites - MenuMania & DineOut.
i-SITES (visitor information centres in Auckland city) - 137 Quay Street, Princes Wharf; and Atrium, Sky City, corner Victoria and Federal Streets. Follow the link for additional i-SITE information.
Juicery at 72 Albert Street whizzes up tropical smoothies - mango, pineapple, banana, yoghurt and honey from $6.50. In winter they have a soup of the day, and in summer fresh juice and summer sippers from $5. Open week days from 7.30am - 4pm.
Kete of Kiwi Kai aka Basket of Kiwi Food
Fill a kete at a local supermarket for $10. Select a couple of kiwifruit, hokey pokey ice cream, a kilo of mussels and a Ponsonby Pie. Add a packet of jaffas if you’ve got change.
Kite Flying
Buy a kite ($6) on the beach in Mission Bay on a fine, windy weekend. Climb the steps close by on Tamaki Drive to the top of Bastion Point to fly it high or fly it at the beach.
(To get to Bastion Point from Mission Bay head west down Tamaki Drive toward Burger King, continue on until you reach a bus stop, behind the bus stop are steps and a path to Bastion Point). Kiteworks, 181 Symonds Street also sells kites from $6.
Kura Gallery in the Pricewaterhouse Coopers Tower, 188 Quay Street (physically located on Lower Albert Street) is a great place to find Maori art and contemporary New Zealand art and design.
Kura Gallery is open Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm and Saturday and Sunday, 11am - 4pm.
Pauanesia, 35 High Street sells a range of quirky and cool items with a Kiwi and Pacific flavour, open from 9.30am, 7 days. New Zealand art and design can also be found at The Poi Room, 17 Osborne Street, Newmarket and 32 Galway Street, Britomart.
Lantern Festival (3 - 5 February 2012) www.asianz.org.nz
Celebrate Chinese New Year in inner city Auckland with lanterns, food stalls, fireworks and more. (Free event)
Link Buses -
Get a cheap tour of Auckland on a Link bus. Free WiFi is on Link buses and some trains - 3 free 30 minute sessions per day (6 month pilot until March 2012). If you'd like to travel to outer suburbs the BusAbout Pass ($10.00) gives unlimited travel after 9am week days and any time weekends and public holidays on Metrolink, North Star, Link, Go West or Waka Pacific buses.
Lunch in the city - Find a spot to eat lunch or a space to relax in the heart of the city - public squares and plazas. Below - St Patricks Square, 43 Wyndham Street; Takutai Square, 44-50 Galway Street (there's a great pop up fountain for the kids to enjoy); Aotea Square (redevelopment complete) at 299 Queen Street is a large outdoor area used for events and celebrations, it's a popular lunch spot and is always full of people when the sun's shining.
Matariki Festival (Maori New Year) www.matarikifestival.org.nz Auckland celebrates Maori New Year with a range of events and activities including tree planting, craft workshops and cultural performances. Many activities and events are free. In 2011 the celebrations ran from 4 June to 14 July.
Mini Golf Lilliputt Mini Golf, 3 Tamaki Drive www.lilliputt.co.nz
Try for a hole in one at Lilliputt mini golf course on the waterfront. First round $10, second round $5. Open from 10am, 7 days. Add a few dollars to your tenner and you can also play mini golf at www.albanyminigolf.co.nz, www.piratesisland.co.nz, and if glow in the dark golf sounds like fun - www.transylvania.co.nz.
Movies
Catch a movie on Tuesday for $11 www.skycitycinemas.co.nz (various Auckland locations) www.hoyts.co.nz (various locations in Auckland and nation wide) www.lido.co.nz - 427 Manukau Road, Epsom (Lido has a lovely lounge, see the graphic at the top of their website). www.rialto.co.nz – Newmarket www.bcg.net.nz – Berkeley cinemas - Mission Bay & Takapuna (now under the Hoyts umbrella). Below are photographs of Berkeley Cinema in Mission Bay, coffee, wine and snacks can be purchased pre or post movie and enjoyed in the small lounge area. www.iconiccinemas.co.nz- Academy Cinema, 44 Lorne Street, city and Victoria Picture Palace & Theatre, 48 Victoria Road, Devonport have "Terrific Tuesdays" - $8 tickets day and night.
Music Cock & Bull English pubs www.cockandbull.co.nz
Get a free live band with your beverage at one of the Cock & Bull English pubs. Visit the website for their gig guide.
Groove Guide www.grooveguide.co.nz
To see what's free and happening around Auckland's music venues look out for the free weekly groove guide. Another guide worth checking out is www.mukuna.co.nz. Time Out magazine comes free with the NZ Herald on Thursdays and lists movie screenings, and a Thursday to Wednesday gig and events guide.
Ivory Lounge, 421 Parnell Road, Parnell www.ivorylounge.co.nz
Entertainment is free at The Ivory Lounge piano bar, check the website for "What's On". Open Monday - Wednesday 4pm until late; Thursday - Sunday noon until late.
The Kings Arms, 59 France Street, city www.kingsarms.co.nz
The Kings Arms has been around since 1880 and
has live music most nights of the week. The pub isn't swanky but most people are there for the entertainment, you might just see some hot talent on the rise at The Kings Arms.
Need a hideout on a rainy day? Catch the train and take a fifteen minute journey from Britomart station in the city to Sylvia Park shopping centre. There are plenty of shops to browse, a cinema, food court, cafes and other dining options.
New Zealand artist Ivan Clarke went on holiday a few years ago, his dog was left behind and looked lonely. On his return the artist painted the lonely dog fully clothed, and the Lonely Dog adventure began. Visit Lonely Dog Gallery, 10 Customs Street East to see some of the unique paintings. Warner Brothers have bought the movie rights so Lonely Dog may be on the big screen soon. Update - Moved from 20 to 10 Customs Street.
Nothing – WiFi is free with purchase at Esquires Coffee House, 215 Parnell Road. Upmarket Parnell Road is lined with charming old buildings, many of them are occupied by cafes, restaurants and art outlets. A Link bus will take you there and if you want a piece of quiet walk to the Dove-Myer Robinson Park and Rose Garden on Gladstone Road - Parnell Festival of Roses.
Outdoor movies - Free movies on inflatable screens in Auckland parks, we highly recommend these events - www.openair.co.nz. Also visit the "Movies in Parks" section of www.musicinparks.co.nz
for summer screenings that are preceded by live music.
Pah Homestead & TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre is located in Monte Cecilia Park, Hillsborough. The Arts Centre holds exhibitions (usually free) curated by the James Wallace Arts Trust Collection. As well as the Arts Centre there is The PAH Cafe serving morning and afternoon teas and lunch on the homestead verandah or in the dining room.
Pah Homestead is a lovely location for a gallery, have morning tea on the verandah and walk around the sculpture garden and park. Open Tuesday - Friday, 10am - 3pm and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10am - 5pm. You can sign up for the newsletter or follow James Wallace Arts Trust on Facebook to keep up to date with exhibitions. Parking a vehicle in down town Auckland can cost almost as much as a cheap night out. For good value weekend parking in the central city head to the Viaduct and pay $6 for up to 24 hours. Do a random act of kindness and pass your ticket on to someone else as you leave. Also see if the BIG little city's $2.50 per hour parking deal is still on offer.
Pasifika Festival (March) www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/pasifika
Your chance to find out about the many cultures of the Pacific. Sample food, watch dance demonstrations and learn about Pacific art. (The photos below were taken at the Pasifika Festival opening night concert in 2010). (Free event)
Photography Festival (1- 24 June 2012) www.photographyfestival.org.nz
Visit a range of free photography exhibitions at various venues around Auckland. Look out for a festival brochure or view the calendar of events online.
Picnic
Buy a bottle of L&P or a cheap bottle of wine from a supermarket, add some cheese and bread and have a picnic. Head to the inner city hills for good views - Bastion Point, Orakei; the Parnell Rose Garden or one of Auckland’s volcanic cones like Mt Eden.
Playgrounds
An all access playground was opened at Pt Chevalier's Coyle Park, 528 Pt Chevalier Road in 2010. The equipment is designed to accommodate a child and their care giver. To find a playground by suburb visit Auckland City Council. (All playgrounds are free)
Poetry - Write it, read it or just interested? Read about Poetry events in Auckland and around the country here.
Q & A -
Get a small group together and enter a quiz for free at one of Auckland’s pubs, eg. Cock & Bull. If you're a music whiz The Drake in Freeman's Bay has a music trivia quiz every Thursday from 8pm. How about Bitchin' Bingo? Give it a go at Cassette Nine on Vulcan Lane fortnightly on Wednesdays from 7pm - entry free with drink purchase. New
Rock, Blues, Jazz and Reggae can be heard at Music In Parks events from January until the end of March. Each Sunday in summer listen to jazz at the Band Rotunda, Auckland Domain. (Free events)
Sculpture Walks Waterfront Sculpture Trail - Visit the website for a preview and a map (free). What do you think Cytoplasm by Phil Price looks like? I think it looks like a cartoon dog, other descriptions include cactus, sea plant, windmill, science fiction creature and futuristic tree. Cytoplasm is in Waitemata Plaza (119 Customs Street), the plaza is a lovely spot next to the water, there's a bit of seating but no shade unfortunately.
Auckland Domain Sculpture Walk - Visit the website for a preview, ask at the information desk in the Museum for a map or download one via the link above. (Free)
Sculpture in the gardens - Large sculptures are on display over a 2km trail through Auckland Botanic Gardens from October - February each year. On Sundays there are often free guided tours of the sculptures and live music from 11.30am - 2.30pm
(Free). (The sculptures below were in the 2011/12 exhibition,
"Bird Lady" is now part of the permanent sculpture collection at the gardens).
Zealandia Sculpture Garden, 133 Mahurangi West Road, RD 3, Warkworth. Open weekends from November - March, open every day in January. By appointment only from November 2011. $10 admission.
Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens, 1481 Kaipara Coast Highway, Kaukapakapa. More than 60 sculptures along a one kilometre trail. Open 9-5pm daily, $10.
Brick Bay Sculpture Trail is at the Brick Bay Vineyard, Arabella Lane, RD 2, Warkworth. The Sculpture Trail is open daily from 10am - 5pm, occasional closures on public holidays and for functions, visit the website for details. Admission $12.
Te Whau Garden, 31 Vintage Lane, Te Whau, Waiheke Island. Open 9am - 5pm, 7 days a week, $10 admission. Connells Bay Sculpture Park on Waiheke Island can be visited by appointment only, admission from $20 per adult.
Swimming Pools Six of the best public swimming pools in Auckland according to NZ Herald. Other options close to the city centre: Olympic Swimming Pools & Fitness Centre, 77 Broadway, Newmarket and
Tepid Baths, Custom Street, city (closed from 18 April 2010 for up to 2 years for renovation).
Auckland Council pools and recreation centres. Take a dip in any one of these pools for less than $10, Auckland’s numerous beaches free.
Themed bars The Attic Bar & Restaurant, 55 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay www.theatticbar.co.nz
The Attic opened its red door and rolled out the red carpet at the end of June 2009. Head upstairs for coffee ($4.50), beer or wine ($8+), bar snacks ($7+). The attic theme is prominent and is carried around to a seating area with book lined walls and other bits and pieces you might find in an ancient aunt's attic. Open 7 days for brunch, lunch and dinner.
Outlaws Bar & Cowboy Bar, Viaduct, city
Outlaws Bar and Cowboy Bar are right next to each other in Market Square. Both bars are Western themed and have $5 bottled beer specials as well as $10 steins. Giddy up to Cowboy and check out the Stetsons.
Lenin Bar, Princes Wharf, city
A Russian theme bar with plush booths inside, plenty of seating outside and of course, vodka. If you're thinking of rugging up for the Freddy's Ice House experience get a sneak preview through the window that joins Lenin and the Ice House.
Freddy's Ice House, Princes Wharf, city www.showcasehospitality.co.nz
Entry to Freddy's Ice House usually costs more in the vicinity of 10 euros than $10 but being so cool may never be so cheap. Before entering the Ice House put on a warm jacket, gloves and fluffy boots. Once inside your cocktail of choice is poured into an ice glass and you can take a seat on an ice block. Open 7 days from 12 noon. Entry - $25 during the day, $30 evening (one cocktail included). No personal cameras allowed but pay $8 per photo or get a few emailed to you for $20. (Thanks to GrabOne for the $10 deal).
Shanghai Lil's Restaurant & Piano Cocktail Bar, 311 Parnell Road, Parnell Facebook link
Shanghai Lil's is richly decorated and collectibles from Asia and beyond create an Oriental feel. There's a piano for live music later in the evening. You won't find sport or rock music at Shanghai Lil's but if you're looking for an intimate spot for a late night rendezvous Shanghai Lil's is an excellent choice. There is a separate dining room or you can order snacks and dessert from the bar. Open Wednesday - Friday, 5pm until late and Saturday 6pm until late.
The Library Bar, 1 Packenham Street East, city www.thelibraryauckland.co.nz
The Library Reading Room and Lounge Bar is stacked full of books and is decorated in retro style. Cigars, cognac, brandy and port are on the menu as well as tapas priced from $5 - $28. Themed cocktails include The Hard Cover, Head Librarian and Librarian In Training (non alcoholic). The Library is open from 3pm week days, 5pm on Saturday and closed Sunday.
Tip Top Factory Tour - Groups of 12 or more (max 35) can take a tour of Tip Top Ice Cream Factory, 113 Carbine Road, Mt Wellington. See how ice cream is made and sample the product. Tours take one hour and cost $5 pp, payable by cash only. If you would like to take a tour email: factorytour@tiptop.co.nz or enquire via the website and you'll be advised of tour times and dates. (No tours weekends, public holidays or in July).
Tramping - If you want more than a leisurely stroll through the Auckland suburbs there are over 250kms of track to roam in the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. Visit Arataki Visitor Centre, Scenic Drive, Titirangi or www.arc.govt.nz/parks.
Unique gifts can be found on Karangahape Road (K' Road for short). Visit Buana Satu at 229 for Polynesian inspired wares and Third Eye at 177 for Indian clothing and jewellery. K' Road is Auckland's red light district by night, bars and clubs are open late and by day you will find an eclectic mix of cafes and shops.
Kroad.com will tell you more about what's going down on the road. Free heritage walks are available by appointment in summer, visit the events section of the website. First Thursdays - K' Road hosts First Thursdays on the first Thursday of the month - a celebration of visual art, music, performance and craft work, returning March 2012.
Voyager NZ Maritime Museum, Viaduct Harbour is free for Aucklanders (proof of address required). Fee for non Aucklanders - $17 adult, $8.50 child. Open 9am-5pm (closed Christmas day) - www.maritimemuseum.co.nz. Learn about the voyages of early settlers to NZ, the country's yachting history - a tribute to Sir Peter Blake, and step inside a recreation of a Kiwi bach.
Vulcan Lane – Located near the bottom of Queen Street Vulcan Lane is car free and home to some of Auckland’s heritage buildings. Have a drink in one of Auckland’s oldest bars – Queens Ferry Hotel or order a coffee from one of the street side cafes.
Walk Auckland –
Auckland Botanic Gardens - Free guided walks on Wednesdays. The gardens are situated on Hill Road in Manurewa and are best reached with your own transport. The Camp Site sculpture below was made by Peter Lange and is in the garden's permanent sculpture collection.
Coast to Coast Walkway - pick up an information sheet from an i-SITE that provides a map and details about the walk from The Viaduct to Onehunga (16km / 4 hours). Alternatively visit Coast to Coast walkway.
North Shore Literary Walks - Literary walks around Devonport, Takapuna and Castor Bay - www.bookcouncil.org.nz.
Waterfront walk - Walk alongside the Waitemata Harbour from Quay Street in the city to Mission Bay (6.3 kms), add another 3kms to get to St Heliers beach via Kohimarama. Buses drive this route frequently to get you to/from the city if need be. (Toilets and drinking fountains are located in Okahu Bay, Mission Bay, Kohimarama and St Heliers).
Weta Cave retail store in Sky City until April 2012. Displays and merchandise from Weta Workshop, free entry, located in the basement of the Sky Tower.
Xmas Lights, Franklin Road, Ponsonby - Facebook
Each year many of the residents in Franklin Road light up their homes and gardens to celebrate Christmas. It's well worth visiting to see the festive display of lights, the Link Bus will drop you close by. The lights are switched on 1 December. Other free Christmas events include Auckland Farmers Santa Parade and Christmas in the Park. Smith & Caughey, 261 Queen Street have a Christmas display in the windows from mid November.
You might find what you’re looking for at one of Auckland’s many markets:
Avondale - Avondale Racecourse, Ash Street. Sunday 6am - 12noon www.avondalesundaymarkets.co.nz
An Asian and Pacific influenced market selling fruit, vegetables, clothing, odds and ends and all sorts. Parking $3.
City Designers Market, corner High Street and Freyberg Place, city www.citydesignersmarket.co.nz
Meet local jewellery and fashion designers and browse their wares at the indoor market held on Friday, 9am-6pm and Saturday, 10am-5pm.
You probably won't find anything for $10 but you will find unique jewellery and NZ flavoured t-shirts for around $40.
Fish Market, corner Madden and Daldy Streets, Freemans Bay www.afm.co.nz
If you can't hook a big one you can buy one here, travel to the market on the free bus.
If you're an early riser you can watch a seafood auction from 6.00am every weekday morning. Fish Market "Sunday Fun Day" (first Sunday of the month 12 noon - 4pm) and "The Market Live" (every Thursday, 5pm - 9pm) are regular events, visit the website for details.
La Cigale French Style Farmers Market, 69 St Georges Bay Road, Parnell www.lacigale.co.nz
Saturday morning from 8am – 1.30pm, Sunday morning 9am - 1.30pm and a mini market operates on Wednesday from 12noon until 5pm. The La Cigale market is busy on weekends and you can sit under cover after browsing through the stalls selling artisan breads, preserves, fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, crepes, coffee and more. Voted Best Auckland Food Market 2007 - 2010. La Cigale is also home to a French inspired retail store, cafe and bistro.
Op Shops Directory of Op Shops around the country, currently includes 88 in Auckland.
Oratia Farmers Market, 99 Parrs Cross Road, Oratia (West Auckland) www.oratiafarmersmarket.co.nz Every Saturday 9am - 12noon. Lots of locally grown produce and locally made food, see the list of stall holders on the website.
Otara Flea Market, MIT & McDonald's car park, East Tamaki Road www.otarafleamarket.co.nz
Feel the vibe of the Pacific at Otara market on Saturday morning from 6am to midday. All sorts is sold including fruit, vegetables, shirts, sarongs, foot wear, t-shirts, and art and craft work from a collection of Pacific Islands.
DVDs, CDs, second hand goods, plants and flowers are also for sale. Flavours of the Pacific mix with mobile food carts selling coffee, churros, curries, chips, steak and onion rolls, and a lot more. Free parking.
Parnell Farmers Market, 545 Parnell Road www.parnell.org.nz
Saturday 8am - noon. A small farmers market selling free range eggs, fruit and vegetables, etc.
St Heliers Market, Turua Street
First and third Sunday of the month in St Heliers, 10am - 4pm. A small indoor market selling preserves, baked goods, craft, etc. Free parking.
Takapuna Market, Lake Road
A bit of everything can be found at Takapuna outdoor market, every Sunday 6am - noon. The market closes promptly at noon, don't leave it until the last minute to join the queue for a cone of churros, you might miss out. Night market - Thursday evenings 5-9pm until 29 March 2012.
Titirangi Village Market, Titirangi War Memorial Hall www.titirangi-village-market.co.nz
Last Sunday of the month (except December when it is held on the second Sunday), rain or shine, 10am - 2pm.
Zzzz – catch some zzzs in an Auckland Regional Council Park. Pitch your tent ($10 pp) and camp in Wenderholm Regional Park north of Auckland. While you're there take the opportunity to explore Orewa, Puhoi and surrounds. Orewa has a long stretch of beach ideal for walking and swimming. Puhoi was settled by Bohemians in 1863 and you can visit the small Bohemian Museum ($3). Have a Devonshire Cream Tea at the Puhoi Cottage Tearooms ($10.50) or have a cold one at The Puhoi Pub & Bistro. The Puhoi pub is a popular meeting place for leather clad bikers and open from 11am.
(For more Auckland attractions and day trip suggestions see Destination Auckland).
