Guidebook for Auckland
Food Scene
If your looking for a nice lunch I recommend these places which cater for everyone.
At the railway station 3 minutes from home for great breakfasts or lunches
15 locals recommend
Swanson Station Cafe
760 Swanson RdAt the railway station 3 minutes from home for great breakfasts or lunches
Lovely environment and great coffee and menu set in an orchard with chickens only 15 minutes from the cottage.
10 locals recommend
Blossoms Cafe
Lovely environment and great coffee and menu set in an orchard with chickens only 15 minutes from the cottage.
The Tasting Shed
609 State Hwy 1625 minutes travel from the cottage.
Thai Peninsula Restaurant
301 Lincoln RoadFor the BEST Thai in Auckland.
20 minutes from the cottage.
Unique setting with playground for children indoor outdoor setting.The Tasting Shed caters for lunch and dinner with a wide selection of craft beer.
It has plenty for the children to do and has a lovey outdoor setting suited for hot summer days with inside seating for the winter. 20 minutes from the cottage.
94 locals recommend
Hallertau Brewery
1171 Coatesville Riverhead HwyUnique setting with playground for children indoor outdoor setting.The Tasting Shed caters for lunch and dinner with a wide selection of craft beer.
It has plenty for the children to do and has a lovey outdoor setting suited for hot summer days with inside seating for the winter. 20 minutes from the cottage.
Swanson Returned Services Association
663 Swanson Rd5 minutes drive check for opening days
For the best salads and quiches eat in or take out great for vegetarians. A 20 minutes drive from the cottage.
The Green Grocer
80c Main RdFor the best salads and quiches eat in or take out great for vegetarians. A 20 minutes drive from the cottage.
For unique vegetarian vegan food be prepared to wait for a seat if you go at a busy time. 25 minutes from the cottage.
28 locals recommend
Little Bird Kitchen
Ponsonby RoadFor unique vegetarian vegan food be prepared to wait for a seat if you go at a busy time. 25 minutes from the cottage.
If your looking for really fresh fish go to Tobys they sell wet fish and takeaways.
If you see a fish you would like they will gut it and cook it for you while you wait. 10 minutes from the cottage.
Toby's Seafood
3 Red Hills RoadIf your looking for really fresh fish go to Tobys they sell wet fish and takeaways.
If you see a fish you would like they will gut it and cook it for you while you wait. 10 minutes from the cottage.
Sightseeing
Sky Tower
Victoria Street WestAuckland icon and Casino a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
Auckland Zoo
Only 20 minutes drive and Motat is around the corner
Set in the Auckland Domain with the Auckland Museum within walking distance take some bread and feed the ducks.
69 locals recommend
Domain Wintergardens
Wintergarden RoadSet in the Auckland Domain with the Auckland Museum within walking distance take some bread and feed the ducks.
The information centre is only 20 minutes from the cottage set in the Waitakere ranges it has lots of resource's and a lovely walk and viewing platform which you can see Auckland.
111 locals recommend
Arataki Visitor Centre - Waitakere Ranges
300 Scenic DrThe information centre is only 20 minutes from the cottage set in the Waitakere ranges it has lots of resource's and a lovely walk and viewing platform which you can see Auckland.
A trip to the Downtown terminal will take you to the city waterfront. Its best to travel by train as parking is expensive.
From here you can take many ferry trips to Auckland's nearby islands or catch the bus to your chosen destination.
The train will take approximately 40 mins to arrive at the down town station.
164 locals recommend
Downtown Ferry Terminal station
Quay StreetA trip to the Downtown terminal will take you to the city waterfront. Its best to travel by train as parking is expensive.
From here you can take many ferry trips to Auckland's nearby islands or catch the bus to your chosen destination.
The train will take approximately 40 mins to arrive at the down town station.
Parks & Nature
This is set on our West coast beach with black sand its a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
76 locals recommend
Muriwai Gannet Colony
428 Motutara RdThis is set on our West coast beach with black sand its a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
Amazing black sand surf beach with amazing views. Our most renown surf beach an hours drive from the cottage.
ALWAYS swim between the flags.
A 45 minute drive from the cottage.
229 locals recommend
Piha
Amazing black sand surf beach with amazing views. Our most renown surf beach an hours drive from the cottage.
ALWAYS swim between the flags.
A 45 minute drive from the cottage.
Our local beach if you like waves but ALWAYS SWIM in the patrolled areas as can be very dangerous.
Only 20 minutes drive black sand surf beach and stream for the little ones to paddle with live music on a Saturday night during summer and a food caravan.
106 locals recommend
Bethells Beach
Our local beach if you like waves but ALWAYS SWIM in the patrolled areas as can be very dangerous.
Only 20 minutes drive black sand surf beach and stream for the little ones to paddle with live music on a Saturday night during summer and a food caravan.
Botanic gardens and Museum all in one place a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
250 locals recommend
Auckland Domain
Park RoadBotanic gardens and Museum all in one place a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
Auckland Botanic Gardens
102 Hill RdA must see if your into gardens and its free.
Close safe family friendly beach and picnic area only 20 minutes from the cottage.
66 locals recommend
Point Chevalier Beach
Harbour View RoadClose safe family friendly beach and picnic area only 20 minutes from the cottage.
If your into bike this is a must go. You can hire if you don't have your own suitable for all ages. A 30 minute drive from the cottage.
48 locals recommend
Woodhill Mountain Bike Park
Restall RoadIf your into bike this is a must go. You can hire if you don't have your own suitable for all ages. A 30 minute drive from the cottage.
Parakai Springs
150 Parkhurst RdThermal hot pools with slide a 45 minute drive from the cottage.
Cascade Falls
Only 20 minutes drive from the cottage.
Entertainment & Activities
This is amazing set in the tree tops a climbing experience suitable for all ages a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
Situated in the same location as the zoo.
Free for gold card holders.
197 locals recommend
Museum of Transport and Technology
805 Great N RdSituated in the same location as the zoo.
Free for gold card holders.
Only 10 minutes drive has animal park rides crystal mine and cafe
23 locals recommend
Crystal Mountain
80 Candia RdOnly 10 minutes drive has animal park rides crystal mine and cafe
This is an amazing experience for all ages. Set it the forest a climbing experience it the tree tops. This is positioned right next to the bike park and has picnic tables you can cross to the bike park if you want a coffee or food its a 45 minute drive from the cottage.
29 locals recommend
Tree Adventures [BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL]
This is an amazing experience for all ages. Set it the forest a climbing experience it the tree tops. This is positioned right next to the bike park and has picnic tables you can cross to the bike park if you want a coffee or food its a 45 minute drive from the cottage.
Rainbow's End
2 Clist CresA theme park in Manukau about 45 minutes from the cottage.
Our local heated under cover pool with slide and sauna pools with diving boards only 15 minutes from the cottage.
18 locals recommend
West Wave Pool
20 Alderman DrOur local heated under cover pool with slide and sauna pools with diving boards only 15 minutes from the cottage.
If your heading to downtown Auckland Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium is only a 10 minute car trip. Its located on the waterfront or better still catch the bus and don't worry about parking. This is entertainment for the whole family.
228 locals recommend
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
23 Tamaki DrIf your heading to downtown Auckland Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium is only a 10 minute car trip. Its located on the waterfront or better still catch the bus and don't worry about parking. This is entertainment for the whole family.
Arts & Culture
Art gallery showing local artists work a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
Situated in our main Auckland centre a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
606 locals recommend
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki
Wellesley Street EastSituated in our main Auckland centre a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
Art gallery showing local artists work a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
21 locals recommend
Lopdell Precinct
418 Titirangi RdArt gallery showing local artists work a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
While here visit the Winter Gardens and feed the ducks a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
787 locals recommend
Auckland War Memorial Museum
While here visit the Winter Gardens and feed the ducks a 30 minute drive from the cottage.
Shopping
Our newest local shopping Mall which is growing all the time a 15 minute drive from the cottage.
48 locals recommend
NorthWest Shopping Centre
7 Fred Taylor DrOur newest local shopping Mall which is growing all the time a 15 minute drive from the cottage.
For all your food fruit and vegetables.
You will drive past this large shop just before you arrive at the Cottage it is best value for money and has almost everything you will need its a 10 minute drive from the cottage.
28 locals recommend
PAK'nSAVE
For all your food fruit and vegetables.
You will drive past this large shop just before you arrive at the Cottage it is best value for money and has almost everything you will need its a 10 minute drive from the cottage.
The Warehouse Westgate
Fernhill DriveEssentials
Our local Superette caters for most things.Close just a few minutes drive to Swanson.
Ponderosa Superette
704 Swanson RdOur local Superette caters for most things.Close just a few minutes drive to Swanson.
FreshChoice Ranui
433 Swanson RdJust 5 minutes drive this is a small supermarket.
PAK'nSAVE
Best value for all your food needs a 10 minute drive from the cottage.