News and Views

Walk this way: 6 of Auckland's best hikes     

We often get asked ‘can you recommend Auckland's best day hikes?

The city is blessed with natural attractions including breathtaking walking tracks and beaches. So here's our 'best Auckland walks' guide, the tracks and trails we love to hike in a day. 

The Auckland Coast to Coast Walk (18 km, 5 hours, Difficulty: Moderate)  Where else can you walk across a country in a day?  This metropolitan walk spans two oceans, volcanoes, views and reveals life in Auckland’s quiet suburban streets. Best of all around two-thirds of the walk winds through parks and green spaces. We recommend starting at the least scenic end namely Onehunga  on the west coast. Take the train west from downtown’s Britomart station to Onehunga station then start walking east back towards the city. This means you'll end the 5-hour hike with stunning harbour views. You’ll earn them! At the walk’s end, reward yourself with a brew beside the stunning Waitemata, one of the most beautiful city harbours in the world. Just a warning, there aren’t many cafes or bathrooms en-route (Cornwall Park) and the route's not well sign-posted either so plug the Ferry Building into your phone map or drop into the city iSITE for a trail map.

Te Henga Walkway (12 km, 4 hours, Difficulty: Moderate)  Forming part of the spectacular Hillary Trail, the Te Henga Walkway is a West Auckland walk which crosses the cliff-tops from Bethells to Muriwai.  It’s possibly the most interesting and varied track in the Waitakere Ranges which disect the city from the West coast. You’ll need to take two cars and leave a car at each end so you can begin the track from Bethells Road crossing the Waitakere River footbridge where you'll quickly rise to stunning coastal views. Take in Bethells, O'Neill Bay and phenomenal coastal vistas before tackling the staircase exit to Constable Road.  Local’s tip: Pack a picnic and plenty of water. 

Rangitoto Island to Home Bay (15 km, 6 hours, Difficulty: Moderate) After your ferry trip from downtown, walk up to the summit for a picturesque blend of volcanic, coastal and rural scenery. Take the inland route from the Rangitoto Wharf to the Islington Bay Wharf, crossing the causeway to Motutapu Island and over farmland to reveal the idyllic Home Bay. Follow the same track back after a break at the campsite or take the Coastal Track back to the Rangitoto Wharf from the Islington Bay Wharf (note this detour will add an hour to your trip). Offering beautiful views and a really unique perspective of the Gulf, plenty of water is required as there's none on either island and plan your walk duration around the ferry timetables.

Rotoroa Island  (Allow the whole day)  Another island walk, Rotoroa Island east of Waiheke has recently been reopened to the public after 100 years as a rehab centre. Now thriving with wildlife, visitors can explore the island sanctuary and idyllic bays from Cable Bay on the northern side to Ladies Bay on the east. Catch the once-a-day ferry from downtown in the morning which returns to pick you up later in the day. Take adequate food and supplies. Local’s Tip: Visit Kiwi environmental artist Chris Booth's sculpture on the southern tip of Rotoroa.  

Matiatia – Owhanake Loop, Waiheke (8.5km, 2-3 hours, Difficulty: Moderate) A great option when you do not want to venture far from the ferry terminal at Waiheke. Offering great views of the Hauraki Gulf, the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. Break up the loop by stopping for lunch and wander around the lovely shops in Oneroa. Or pack a lunch and have a picnic in an idyllic location of your choosing. Remember to pack swimwear and spend an hour or two relaxing on the beach, soaking in the island lifestyle.

Wenderholm Regional Park (5 km, 1.5 hours, Difficulty: Low)  We’ve left the easiest to last. Drive north some 45 minutes towards Wenderholm Regional Park. Nestled between the inlets of the Waiwera and Puhoi Rivers, the park offers sprawling grass for picnics, plenty of trees to climb, a beautiful white sandy beach and best of all, a lovely loop track suitable for all ages,  the Perimeter Track

Of course, if you’ve only got a day in the city, book one of our top-rated Auckland walking tours for the city’s hidden lanes, legends and loads of local advice. And check out our guide to Auckland's best restaurants. All that walking will work up an appetite!

For more Auckland walking tracks click here 

Best Auckland Museums

Come and explore the history and culture of our beautiful city by visiting one of our world-class museums. Discover the cultural, social and geological forces which have shaped New Zealand, the last country inhabited by people. These are the best Museums in Auckland, all within walking distance of the city centre. 

Auckland Art Gallery (Free entry)

The Auckland Art Gallery or Toi O Tamaki means ‘our treasure house’. 
The Auckland Art Gallery is regarded as the world home or wharenui of New Zealand art. This superbly designed gallery views itself as custodians or kaitiaki of the art in their care. 

Home to around 20,000 pieces of art going back around 700 years, just  800 pieces are on display at any given time.  Works of famous New Zealand artists like Charles Goldie, Ralph Hotere and Colin McCahon are on public display instead of hidden away in private homes or personal vaults. 

One of only two Picassos in New Zealand reside on the walls of the Auckland Art Gallery. The other Picasso is in Dunedin. Painted during the Nazi occupation of Paris in 1944, ‘Verre et Pichet isn’t regarded as one of Picasso’s best works but it does symbolize the dark years of deprivation experienced during the Second World War.

Free one-hour tours of the Gallery's general collection run every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon at 1:30pm

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Housed in one of Auckland's most iconic buildings, the neo-classical  Auckland War Memorial Museum, built in 1929 sits blissfully atop the grassy remnants of a dormant volcano. Discover New Zealand geology, Maori culture and war history. Decorative arts and pictorial collections also prominently feature in this museum. A powerful and informative collection of war memorials will interest any budding historian. 
Join a guided tour that includes a culture performance by the local iwi/tribe Ngati Whatua which includes a spine-tingling performance of the world-famous Haka.

The Auckland Museum is daily from 10am - 5pm (except Xmas Day). Find out more about the Auckland War Memorial here 

Auckland Maritime Museum 
Set sail and discover the stories that helped shape nautical New Zealand. 
Explore the country's largest maritime collection and the Landfalls exhibition detailing the pioneering voyages of New Zealand's first people. 
In New Beginnings, meet the colonial immigrants that braved rough oceans to settle on hostile land. 
One of New Zealand's greatest leaders - Sir Peter Blake - is honoured in Blue Water, Black Magic which explores the history of Americas Cup and New Zealand’s exceptional yachting success.

Here you can set sail in the Museum’s fully restored heritage scow (The Ted Ashby). This one-hour voyage of Auckland harbour will provide you with spectacular views of the Harbour Bridge and the great “city of sails”. 

Find out more about the Auckland Maritime Museum here 

Join us on a private Aucky Walky tour and we’ll include a short visit to one of these Museums - the choice is yours!.  We know where the best art and culture can be found in the heart of the city.  

Eating out: Best New Zealand Restaurants 

Who do New Zealanders' turn to for dining inspiration? The annual Metro restaurant guide of course. From newcomers to trusty favourites, the Metro judges - made up of food writers, critics and hospitality experts - chomp their way through the country's best restaurants to determine which contenders cut the mustard for the crown of 'best restaurants Auckland' and beyond. Including the best lamb restaurants New Zealand-wide.

Over the last twenty years, New Zealand chefs have developed a style of cooking often described as Pacific Rim. Many have sharpened their skills in Michelin-starred restaurants internationally. Their recipes blend the best New Zealand ingredients - our juicy lamb, beef, seafood and venison with pan-Asian and European-influenced flavours. This, combined with an emerging farm (or fish) to the fork ethos, creates a fascinating lineage for contemporary New Zealand food. All with a dollop of innovative local growers, farmers and intrepid fishing folk serving up the main ingredients.

So is there such a thing as a truly ‘New Zealandesque’ restaurant ?  We’re pleased to shout “yes!” 

Here's our round up of the best Auckland restaurants which regularly make the cut in the city's 'top 50 best restaurants Auckland'. Plus a selection of top restaurants nationwide.  

Bon appeitit!

Flavours of Aotearoa NZ 

• Ahi - Commercial Bay
• Culprit - Wyndham  St 
• Mr Morris - Galway St, Britomart
• Depot - Sky City
• Metita - SkyCity
• Tala - Parnell
• Kingi - Britomart
• Gilt - O'Connell St

French - European/Fine Dining

• The Grove - Saint Patrick's Square, Wyndham St
• Anise, Symonds St
• SidArt - Ponsonby Rd
• Origine - Commercial Bay

Pan Asian Fusion

• Hello Beasty - Viaduct Habour
• Cafe Hanoi -  Britomart - Vietnamese
• Kazuya -  Symonds Street, Eden Terrace - European with Japanese Influence.
• Gochu - Commerical Bay  - South Korean inspired

Italian/Spanish - Mediterranean

• Alma - Tyler St, Britomart 
• Amano - Tyler St, Britomart
• Apero - Karangahape Rd
• Advieh - Hotel Intercontinental
• Ortolana - Britomart

The range of cuisines mirrors Auckland' s make-up as one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Around 200 different nationalities call this cosmopolitan hot spot home. 

Rest of North Island

• Palate - Hamilton
• Embra - Taupo
• Craggy Range - Hawkes Bay
• Koji - Wellington
• Graze - Wellington
• Capitol - Wellington

South Island

• Amisfield - Queenstown
• Rata - Queenstown
• Blue Kanu - Queenstown
• Kika - Wanaka
• 5th Street - Christchurch
• Inati - Christchurch

Walk with us to discover our 'best places to eat Auckland' list which we update every season.  The best cafes, rooftop bars and central city delis. Or book a private walking tour and join us for lunch!  Discover also the major Auckland attractions you don't want to miss on our top-rated Auckland walking tours.

All rights reserved @auckywalky 2024

Best Things to Do Parnell: Eat, Shop,Art 

One of the best things to do in Auckland is to take a leisurely wander through Parnell village, Auckland’s heart of art, style and colonial architecture. Spend a day browsing its gorgeous art galleries, upmarket boutiques and cute back streets lined with Victorian-era cottages. Here’s a roundup of the best Parnell Art Galleries, plus patisserie and pizza spots, gift stores, street art and more!

Parnell for Art Lovers
A walk along Parnell Rise provides a moving art show of top New Zealand painters, potters, artisan jewellers, glassblowers, sculptors and greenstone artists. With seven art galleries in a short stretch, this is where Aucklander’s browse for that special piece of art to complete their new home, or for a coveted piece of custom jewellery. 

The highly regarded Artis curates thought provoking artworks by some of New Zealand’s leading artists while the Black Door Gallery, nestled in a charming historic villa, presents a beautiful and ever-changing selection of statement paintings, sculpture, ceramics, lighting, glass and jewellery. The longstanding Parnell Gallery regularly exhibits contemporary artists in their large and airy space. While a visit to the Alvin Pankhurst Gallery, might find the artist himself hanging his latest piece to feature famous historical Maori carvings in stunning New Zealand landscapes.
Keep an eye out too for landmark sculptures on Parnell Rise, each with a story to tell like the well-known Terry Stringer Mountain Fountain, outside the stunning Holy Trinity Cathedral. Or the large and illuminated revolving plinth outside the Jonathan Grant Galleries, which profiles different outdoor sculptures. 

Best Maori and Pasifika art: Kiwa Art
One of the top Parnell attractions is speciality gallery Kiwa Art. They focus exclusively on indigenous M?ori artists with an emphasis on the lineage and significance behind each piece. Each treasure (or taonga) come with a unique story of its own, which the friendly and knowledgeable owners will readily share. The gallery is refreshed often with new carvings, rare Oceanic pieces, pounamu (greenstone), rare books and even delightful vintage finds. If you’re keen to gift greenstone to a special someone, then head here as the pieces range from downright exquisite to the small and affordable. 

Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Domain Sculpture Walk
Possibly Australasia’s best neo-classical building and one of the most popular Parnell attractions, the Auckland Museum displays colonial and M?ori art plus works from private collections. Along with a large dose of New Zealand history and shaky island geology. Join a guided tour to experience a Maori culture performance by the local iwi/tribe Ngati Whatua, which kicks off with a spine-tingling Haka or challenge. Afterwards, enjoy harbour views from the grassy knoll of a long-dormant volcano and follow the Auckland Domain Sculpture Walk for eight impressive sculptures by leading New Zealand artists, like Fred Graham and Greer Twiss.

Parnell's best restaurants 
Walking and gawking enviously at art can whet up an appetite so luckily the best places to eat in Parnell are nice and handy. Stop and refuel with a glass of wine and lunch at local favourites, Non-Solo Pizza, Di Vino’s or La Porchetta. For a quick bite, grab a homestyle treat from the heaving food counter at Winona Forever or a delicious Parisian- style pastry at Vaniyé, which attracts Aucklanders from far and wide.
  
Parnell’s Best Gift Shop
Leave this spot for last as the credit card could get blasted. The Fantail Shop is the perfect destination for last-minute gift shopping, with its extensive range of ‘Made in NZ’ ceramics, crafts, homewares, fashion and affordable art, all locally sourced from over 140 clever and creative New Zealanders. 

There’s so much to see and do in Auckland besides browsing Parnell. Discover the inner city on our Hello Auckland walking tour where we'll share the best places to see, eat and do. Or check out our free Auckland travel guides to Auckland's best restaurants or rooftop bars. 

All rights reserved @auckywalky

Best lamb Auckland please? Auckland’s Best Beef and Lamb Restaurants

New Zealand is renowned for its grass-fed farm fare and a question we often get asked is ‘where are the best lamb restaurants Auckland-wide?' The New Zealand Beef and Lamb Excellence Awards 'Gold Plate' recognizes the city chefs transforming tender cuts into lip-smacking fine cuisine.

As a taster, imagine eye-fillet steak served with beetroot, shiitake mushrooms, hollandaise and duck fat chips.  Or a rack of lamb accompanied by kumara toast, mint sauce, and creamy lemon-infused yoghurt.

If you’re a meat lover, look for the restaurants displaying the Beef and Lamb Excellence Award proudly on their wall.  It’s here you can expect tasty, skillfully composed and superbly presented beef and lamb dishes.

Otherwise, check out our list of the best beef and lamb restaurants Auckland has to offer. 

Past Auckland Beef and Lamb Excellence Winners:

Cibo Parnell - Parnell

Soljans Estate Winery - Kumeu

Gilt Brasserie - Central Auckland

Giraffe - Central Auckland

Smokin' Cole BBQ - Central Auckland

Oyster and Chop - Central Auckland

Regatta Bar & Eatery - Takapuna 

Jervois Steakhouse - Herne Bay

Pilkingtons - Central Auckland

Ampersand Eatery - Central Auckland

Bracu - Bombay

Rothko - Matakana

Plume Restaurant - Matakana

Mudbrick - Waiheke Island

Casita Miro - Waiheke Island

Tantalus Estate - Waiheke Island 

Our Taste Auckland walking tour includes recommendations on the top spots to eat, shop and go. So bon appetit and put your best foot forward as our small-group or private walking tours are the best place to start.

Source: Restaurant Hub Dec'19