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Be a tourist without leaving home ... solo travel in New Zealand

  • whereintheworldsar
  • Jul 17
  • 3 min read

Updated: Aug 27

I call Auckland, Tāmaki Makaurau, my home. It's the place I was born, have a house, family and have spent most of my life. And yet! What is a home? My children have dispersed all around the globe, I seem to have mislaid the other half of a long term relationship, my sports, jobs and interests have moved on to new fields and arenas, purpose has been redefined and new ideas have taken root. I have become a "wanderer," not lost, but still exploring. Every place has become a stopover, a place to explore, a new adventure to have and although I have had many experiences and fun times in Auckland with family, friends and sports teams, now as a solo adventurer it has become another destination that is ripe for the plucking and so, here I offer you some of the fun things I found or returned to in Auckland as a homegrown tourist ...

  • Catch a ferry and do a day walk on one of the many outer islands, like Tiritiri Matangi or go to Coromandel Town

  • Climb the volcano on Rangitoto Island

  • Wine taste on Waiheke Island

  • Go to a concert at a vineyard or just enjoy a lunch and a wine

  • Watch an open-air movie or Shakespeare in the Park

  • Visit the Auckland Zoo or MOTAT and surrounding gardens

  • Ride a bike, walk or run along the viaduct and waterfront

  • Visit the black sand beaches out west like Muriwai and hike, surf, watch the Gannets or have a go on a Blo-Kart

  • Explore one of the many beaches, be a beachcomber, walk around the rocks or sit and enjoy the atmosphere

  • Ski in the morning at Snow Planet, picnic at the beach for lunch and eat fish 'n chips wrapped in newspaper for dinner on any one of a number of Hibiscus Coast beaches

  • Travel by car from one side of New Zealand to the other in 45 minutes to experience the east and west coasts, Orewa to Muriwai

  • Climb up the Auckland Harbour Bridge and bungy jump off of it, if you dare .. or try the Sky Tower!

  • Gamble at the casino, jump from the upper ring, eat at the revolving restaurant or enjoy the views from up the Sky Tower

  • Catch a ferry to Devonport, Birkenhead or Gulf Harbour

  • Visit the Chelsea Sugarworks in Birkenhead

  • Visit the Auckland Art Gallery or one of the many art galleries around the city and outer areas

  • Take an art class or learn a new skill

  • Scale a rope up a cliff at the beach or swing from a rope swing on a Pohutukawa Tree

  • Visit Tree Adventures or Woodhill Forest for some tree climbing or mountain bike fun

  • Go to a show or movie at the Civic Theatre, ASB Theatre, Bridgeway Theatre or Silo Park

  • Visit Great Barrier Island for a couple of nights

  • Visit Matakana, Sculptureum or a vineyard, north of Auckland

  • Watch or play a game of tennis at the Manuka Doctor Arena, formerly known as ASB Tennis Centre, or any number of sports at a local park on a Saturday or Sunday

  • Run Round The Bays .. or walk!

  • Try White Water rafting at the Wero Whitewater Park

  • Have some fun at Rainbows End Theme Park

  • Visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum and Wintergardens and walk around the Auckland Domain

  • Visit the Auckland Botanic Gardens at Manukau or the Rose Gardens at Parnell

  • Take part in the Beach Swim Series or visit the sea water pools at Parnell Pools

  • Watch a sailing regatta or participate in one as a crew member

  • Kayak along the Puhoi River or visit the famous Puhoi Pub

  • Watch the dolphins, whales or bioluminescence at a beach on the Whangaparāoa Peninsular

  • Visit Western Springs, the zoo, MOTAT and the Speedway


Whatever you decide to do, wherever you are in the world, it will always offer a new experience each time so get out and enjoy life, pack your camera, your kindness and have fun. I might just see you out there ....


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