A Weekend Adventure in Auckland

This is the first weekend that I had to explore New Zealand since I arrived over a week ago for my study abroad program, and the opportunities were endless. A few of my newfound friends and I decided upon exploring the city of Auckland for the weekend, as the city was only about an hour away from our home base. So Saturday morning we set out bright and early, and after driving through endless cow fields and a long train ride, we finally arrived in Auckland.

Auckland Zoo

Our plan for the day was to go to the Auckland Zoo and see all the native wildlife that we had traveled so far for. After many issues arising, from sick friends to hostel bookings, to foreign data plans and lack of service, we were finally setting out for the day.

This was the first time I was in another country and trying to navigate around with little to no knowledge of the public transport systems, and it was very overwhelming. Luckily the bus took us to the zoo, where we spent the majority of the day exploring the zoo and geeking out over the native wildlife that we had been waiting so long to see in real life. From keas to tuatara, to kiwi birds, it was absolutely amazing to see such unique and rare animals that I may never have the opportunity to see in the wild.

Restaurants

A word of advice for anyone with severe allergies, New Zealand is not the most allergy-friendly country. I am severely allergic to fish, which resulted in us spending 2 hours walking around Auckland looking for a restaurant safe for me to eat at, only to come across Nandos, a popular chicken chain restaurant that was fish-free! This is probably not exciting for anyone familiar with the chain, however for us Americans it was quite a delight. And as we were eating, we were treated to the Auckland Pride March ending at the plaza across the street, allowing us to explore the event afterwards. An unexpected, yet welcomed, surprise.

We spent the rest of the evening and the next morning exploring shops and cafes in the city center, as well as the gardens. We had brunch at a cafe along High Street called the Shelf. The food was absolutely phenomenal, and the cafe itself was super cute. We also became obsessed with Miann, a bakery with several locations throughout the city, and the most decadent baked goods and desserts. We went back numerous times during our short visit to Auckland as everything about it was an experience to remember. If you are in the area and looking for something to cure your cravings, I highly recommend stopping by!

Other Recommendations

Sky Tower

Visit the iconic Auckland City Sky Tower for panoramic views of the city. You have to pay to go to the top, however, for many, it is worth it. Additionally, if you are feeling brave, you can even give yourself an adrenaline rush by jumping off the side of the Sky Tower.

Mount Eden

Slightly outside of Auckland City you will find Mount Eden, an extinct volcano that is known for giving the perfect views overlooking the city. The volcano itself is quite the view as well, as it has created a concave dome that is an impressive sight. Golden hour is one of the most beautiful times to visit Mount Eden in my opinion, as the sun from behind lights up the city in a soft golden glow.

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

On the outskirts of the city is the SEA LIFE Aquarium. With animals from all oceans and of all sizes, there is so much to explore at this aquarium. Most notably, there is a fantastic exhibit of 2 out of the 5 Antarctic penguin species, including Gentoos and Kings. This exhibit is a magical Antartic wonderland, and the only of it's kind in New Zealand. The aquarium does an excellent job of combining entertainment, conservation and education for all of the guests that step through their doors, making it a memorable experience for all.