Our biggest city sure knows how to entertain. So book your tickets, pack your bags and take the family on a fun, foodie adventure in Tāmaki Makaurau.

STO RY A L I C E N E V I L L E

A BIG DAY OUT

Travel Auckland

WITH ITS THRIVING, diverse arts and cultural attractions, on-trend dining and bar scene, Auckland is a top spot for a grown-ups’ getaway. But what about the kids? Fear not. The city is heaving with activities for tiny thrill-seekers, junior scientists and mini mariners – and their adults, of course.

In recent years Auckland’s waterfront has been opened up and given a family-focused makeover. You could easily spend half a day or more exploring Britomart, Silo Park and Wynyard Quarter (see ‘refuelling’ for more on that), but the waterfront is also the gateway to the fabulous Waitematā Harbour and Hauraki Gulf, where all kinds of water- based activities await.

For those up for a paddle, Auckland Sea Kayaks offers several guided tours. If you’ve got younger kids, the half-day tour to Motukorea/Browns Island is the one for you: it’s about an hour each way (no experience necessary). Then there’s a trek to the summit of the extinct volcanic cone while learning about its history (there are three ancient pā sites) and taking in the views.

If your kids are 14 or older, the full-day kayak trip to Rangitoto is a great choice. This distinctive symmetrical volcanic cone is an Auckland landmark, which emerged from the sea 600 or so years ago. After about an hour and a quarter of paddling, there’s a one-hour trek through native bush to the summit (more great views), then lunch back at the water’s edge.

For a less taxing option, ferries sail to Rangitoto several times a day, and if the climb to the summit doesn’t appeal, there’s a 4WD ‘road train’ that will transport you to the top.

Another excellent island option for families is Tiritiri Matangi, a wildlife

This page clockwise from top left: Archie Brothers’ chocolate and strawberry shakes; ASB Waterfront Theatre; exploring North Wharf at Wynyard Quarter; sushi from Azabu at Auckland Fish Market. Opposite page: Sitting on Mount Victoria, Devonport, enjoying the view of Auckland.

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Clockwise from top: Archie Brothers; a live performance at Whoa! Studios; The Grounds at Whoa! Studios.

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU Auckland’s rail network offers a great way to dodge the traffic, and Whoa! Studios is three minutes’ walk from the Henderson station on the western line. Billing itself as Auckland’s most exciting family destination, Whoa! comprises movie studios, live kid- focused theatre and a playground (with crocheted Japanese play net). There’s a great family eatery called The Grounds, that has a kids’ menu that’s as tempting as the grown-ups’ (pork and prawn dumplings or pasta with meatballs and tomato sauce).

For more entertainment options, Holey Moley and Archie Brothers offer barrels of fun. Owned by the same Australian company, Holey Moley is a mini-golf club and bar in Viaduct Harbour, while Archie Brothers in Newmarket bills itself as a ‘cirque electriq’, with arcade games, ten-pin bowling, bumper cars and more. Both have bars and kitchens turning out burgers, pizzas, hot dogs and the like. Keep in mind that if you have under-18s, you’ll have to

leave Holey Moley before 5pm and Archie Brothers before 8pm.

For something a little more sedate, take a trip on the ferry to Devonport – a brand new playground on the waterfront is due to open this month. For older members of the family, Segway tours leave from the wharf. Otherwise they can wander around the shops or stop for coffee at one of the many cafes.

The newly opened Fish Kitchen at the ferry terminal is a great place for young and old. It’s right on the water, has lovely views and serves up fresh seafood. For beer lovers, Tiny Triumphs craft beer bar is family

sanctuary covered in regenerating native bush that’s a 75-minute ferry ride from downtown. A network of trails cater to different levels of fitness and kids will love spotting the native birdlife – korimako/bellbirds, tūī, pīwakawaka/fantails, kererū/wood pigeons and tīeke/saddlebacks abound, and if you’re lucky you’ll catch a glimpse of the distinctive kōkako with its bright blue waffle, the rare takahē or the kororā/little blue penguin.

You can either reserve a place on a guided walk when you book your ferry ticket or explore alone, but either way, make sure the kids ask for a Kiwi Ranger activity booklet from their guide or the visitors’ centre. It comes with activities and a cool badge. There’s a great swimming beach too, so pack the togs.

The 36th America’s Cup is coming to Auckland in less than a year, and you can tap into the yachtie vibes with a sail on the harbour. With Explore Auckland, kids 10 and older can help sail an America’s Cup yacht (there’s even a racing option). If you’ve got littlies, all ages are welcome on the one-and-half-hour cruise on a 15m monohull yacht, which takes you under the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

To get even more up close and personal with the bridge, check out AJ Hackett Bungy’s Auckland Bridge Climb – but only if you’ve got a head for heights. You’ll be guided to the top on custom-engineered walkways. The official minimum age is seven but as there’s a weight requirement of 35kg, not many under-10s will qualify (under-14s will also need an adult to sign the consent and accompany them). If a gentle climb doesn’t quite offer the adrenaline rush your kids are after, those 10 and older can bungy jump from the top of the bridge too (under-14 weight and parental rules also apply).

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Travel Auckland

From top: Auckland Sea Kayaks tour on Rangitoto Island; an Auckland Sea Kayaks adventure at Browns Island.

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From above: Auckland Fish Market; Billypot.

Travel Auckland

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friendly, and dog friendly too. Order burgers from Harry’s, which is opposite. For some of the best views of Auckland, walk up Mount Victoria or North Head.

REFUELLING The best family-friendly eateries are places that cater to adults just as well as they do to kids – there’s no point in a good children’s menu if the grown-ups feel like they’re at a fast-food restaurant playground.

Fitting the bill nicely is Federal Delicatessen, Al Brown’s take on a New York deli, smack bang in the centre of town. Go at breakfast time for the likes of griddle cakes, bagels and – adults, this one’s for you – bottomless filter coffee. Stop by later for a New York-style hot dog, a plate of poutine, a slice of pie and an ice-cream float. (Maybe not all at once or you’ll be sick going up in the lift to the to Sky Tower’s main observation deck on Level 51. It’s a stone’s throw away from The Fed, so you may as well combine the two in your holiday itinerary).

Head down to the waterfront neighbourhood of Wynyard Quarter for a stroll along the wharf and a play at the playground in Silo Park. Have lunch or dinner at Wynyard Pavilion, a sprawling all-day eatery that’s said to have become

Clockwise from top left: Auckland Fish Market; a dish from Azabu restaurant in Ponsonby (pictured), which has a family friendly outpost at the Auckland Fish Market; the charming suburb of Devonport, with North Head in the foreground; the Auckland Bridge Climb puts you on top of the world; front-row seats outside at Wynyard Pavilion have sea views.

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Clockwise from above left: Young guests at the Cordis Auckland; the hotel exterior; Snowplanet’s Winter Wonderland; Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Weird & Wonderful Discovery Centre.

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Getting there

Contact Centre 0800 737 000

Holidays Travel Brokers 0800 737 767

airnewzealand.co.nz

A U C K L A N D

Air New Zealand operates daily non-stop flights to

Auckland from Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown,

Dunedin and Invercargill, with connections across the

domestic network.

PlayS N O W P L A N E T

Spending a day at New Zealand’s only indoor snow dome, in Silverdale just north of Auckland, is a great way to give your family a taste of alpine life. It’s also a good way to sharpen your skiing skills before winter hits. There are lessons for all ages, or head to Winter Wonderland, a family-friendly village within Snowplanet. It’s away from the snowboarders and skiers, and you can throw snowballs and go tubing. snowplanet.co.nz

M U S E U M S

Sure, they may not have the novelty factor of some other activities, but Auckland’s museums deserve a shout- out. At Auckland War Memorial Museum/Tāmaki Paenga Hira, the Weird & Wonderful Discovery Centre is interactive and hands-on. The Museum of Transport & Technology

in Western Springs, the New Zealand Maritime Museum/Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa at Viaduct Harbour and Auckland Art Gallery/Toi o Tāmaki in the city also have fun, educational attractions. aucklandmuseum.com; motat.org.nz; maritimemuseum.co.nz; aucklandartgallery.com

SleepC O R D I S A U C K L A N D

Kids and luxury are two words that don’t always go hand in hand, but Cordis manages it. There’s a heated rooftop pool and kids are greeted with a backpack and activity set. There’s also a scavenger hunt and free ice cream at the hotel’s Eight restaurant. Every detail is considered, even child-sized robes and slippers. The young ones will be talking for weeks about the waffle station and chocolate fountain at the breakfast buffet. cordishotels.com

a favourite of Team New Zealand. Not only is there a dedicated children’s menu (classics such as burgers, and fish and chips done well), but staff hand out activity packs to occupy the kids until their meal arrives. Adults can select from a casual menu focused on pizzas, burgers, seafood and such, but our pick is the free-range chicken schnitzel with sage and crispy capers.

Schnitzel also appears on the kids’ menu across the road at Baduzzi, alongside junior versions of the divine pasta and meatball dishes the Metro Top 50 restaurant has become known for. A bonus for the grown-ups: there’s a great wine list.

Just around the corner you’ll find the recently revamped Auckland Fish Market, which has a high-end food court with something for almost everyone (it helps if you like seafood). The kids will be spoilt for choice, with fish, chips and burgers, plus sushi and bento boxes from Azabu.

This is a pared-back outpost of the original Azabu restaurant in Ponsonby. It’s based around Nikkei, an intriguing and delicious Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine. It’s a very sophisticated Auckland dining experience, but child-friendly – while you’re enjoying the octopus with yuzu pepper soy, or spiced-lamb cutlets with smoky aubergine and coriander puree, they’ll be happy with a bento box and an ice-cream chaser.

If that’s not your thing, you can also tuck into trevally tacos with smoked chilli lime mayo from Tiki Thai, or freshly shucked oysters from Billypot. aucklandnz.com

Travel Auckland

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