Hotels

Highlighting The Top Auckland Hidden Gems

Auckland is more than a city; it’s an array of unique landscapes and immersive social experiences, from bioluminescent wonders and kayak exploration of waterfalls to enjoying cocktails at underground bars.

Venture out and experience Auckland’s hidden gems; you won’t regret it! You won’t be let down! Taipei to Auckland flights are right now available through Cathay Pacific.

Deadshot Bar

Deadshot Bar offers something truly different and exceptional when out and about: food and cocktails inspired by French culture. Although it might seem counterintuitive, the cuisine here is actually very tasty; their chefs know their stuff when it comes to creating beautiful madeleines and brisket.

Visiting Auckland on a budget? One of the best hidden gems to check out is this Asian-inspired tapas bar up a sleek black staircase framed by adorable cat statues is sure to please! Everything costs under $8 including cocktails and there’s a mouthwatering menu of slow-cooked beef cheeks, golden-crusted shrimp, handmade dumplings and so much more – come visit on Monday when happy hour lasts all day long for even greater savings!

While in Auckland, make time to visit HI-SO rooftop bar. Situated 15 stories above ground on SO/Auckland hotel, HI-SO claims that drinks taste even better at higher altitudes; bring along a bottle of bubbly for optimal tasting while you savor their menu of Indian-influenced snacks like karaage fries and kimchi burgers!

Just off Karangahape Road on Karangahape Avenue lies Sly, another hidden gem of Auckland that provides cocktails with subtle notes of yuzu foam for lowkey decadence and seduction. You might have passed by its brass pineapple doorknocker without giving it much consideration, but that is exactly where it needs to be visited! Tucked away within this dark and sultry cocktail lounge lies Sly – another hidden treasure within Auckland with an intriguing blend of grunge-chic dining that serves up delicious rum-soaked cocktails that include notes of yuzu foam for lowkey decadence!

If you love movies and want a dose of entertainment on Monday evenings, Silky Otter Cinema may have just what you need: bottomless popcorn every movie night at just $15 and classic and commercial releases to watch – with special pop-up events sometimes happening as well! Don’t wait any longer: visit this hidden gem this week.

Secret Cove Devonport

Once home to an early Maori community and later used as military bases with secret tunnels. Now visitors can visit this volcanic cone and discover its captivating past for free!

Auckland offers many hidden treasures to discover, from stunning beaches to gorgeous walking trails and more. Anawhata Beach stands out as an outstanding example; perfect for surfing and discovering rock pools; its surroundings include pohutukawa trees that frame it while overlooking Tawharanui Regional Park are sure to provide ample distraction.

Karaka Bay is another of Auckland’s hidden treasures, providing stunning views back across Waitemata Harbour to Rangitoto. For the best experience, make your visit between December and January when pohutukawa flowers bloom; grab your towel and blanket to create your own private spot under one of the trees in shade, swim a bit before playing beach cricket and enjoying delicious local fare!

There is also an impressive variety of restaurants to choose from, with Captain’s Bar at Park Hyatt standing out as an outstanding option. Here, you can live out your pirate fantasy with an exceptional selection of rums and Moana-themed tapas. Additionally, enjoy classic dishes made with Captain’s flair such as their Yuzu Mojito which uses Plantation 3 Stars Rum combined with mint, lime juice, sugar cane syrup and Angostura bitters to complete its perfect drink experience!

Have fun exploring Auckland’s hidden treasures; you won’t regret it! Do you have any favourite spots you would like to share?

Brick Bay Sculpture Trail

Brick Bay Sculpture Trail showcases some of New Zealand’s finest contemporary sculpture set among an idyllic natural environment characterized by towering trees, wildlife, and waterlily-filled ponds. As New Zealand’s largest collection of large-scale outdoor sculpture, entry includes a guided tour around each sculpture; guests may stay for lunch at Glass House Restaurant which cantilevers over a reflective surface of a lake-fringed pond.

Artfully arranged works are both captivating to visit and photograph. Some pieces, like Jeff Thomson’s whimsical corrugated iron dinghy by Filipe Tohi or Filipe Tohi’s geometric piece of metal that doubles as its own reflection in the lake on calm days are playful while others can be more serious, such as Filipe Tohi’s piece that forms its own reflection in its reflection pool.

As much as it’s wonderful to enjoy the scenery from their long glasshouse that extends out onto the water, it’s well worth making an additional trip north to Sandspit to visit Gibbs Farm at Sandspit – 47km northwest of Auckland – in order to witness some of their sculptures up close – such as Devil’s Rocks with their haunting sea stacks and caves carved by surf.

Visit the lush grounds and gardens to take in breathtaking vistas, while Glass House restaurant at the winery offers casual all-day dining that showcases local ingredients.

Muriwai Beach, near Piha Beach, offers another wonderful spot for beach enthusiasts.

Catch bioluminescent wonders aboard a dolphin-watching cruise; surf Piha Beach waves; kayak through waterfalls to admire waterfalls from above or stargaze under cosmic cosmos in Devonport for truly special experiences rich in nature, adventure and connection! These experiences create an irreplaceable snapshot of nature, adventure and community connection – something not found elsewhere!

Piha Beach

Located a mere hour’s drive from Auckland, West Coast offers an experience you won’t find elsewhere. Once home to Maori settlements, this beach offers visitors a fantastic way to take in nature’s glory while connecting with indigenous culture.

Piha Beach, situated around an hour from Auckland, is well-known for its untamable surf and wild coastline. Perfect for both avid surfers and those simply looking to relax on a beach holiday, Piha is also a popular day trip destination among both locals and visitors in search of natural environments with less crowding than their city beaches.

While the beach itself is certainly the star attraction here, it’s also a wonderful spot for walking and discovering rock pools at low tide. A fantastic feature called “The Gap” offers another wonderful way to take advantage of this wonderful area by funneling water in through an underground cave that leads to an underground spring – definitely worth checking out! You could easily spend hours here simply relaxing while working on your tan!

Piha was once considered sacred by Maori culture, and still retains an inimitable indigenous flair today. Its beach is steeped in myth and legend that give this area its magical allure.

Kitekite Falls are one of the crowning jewels of Piha and can be found by taking a short 30 minute nature walk. Be sure to visit the Department of Conservation website prior to going as some tracks may be closed due to kauri dieback.