Although this lovely cottage is only open twice a month, 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, from…read more11.00 am to 3.00 pm. It is worth seeing how the early settlers had to survive. Makes you think how much we take for granted these days!!

Be the seriously greatest person ever with a photo at this true NZ Landmark!!!…read morehttps://www.vroomvroomvroom.com/big-things-to-see/l-and-p-bottle-paeroa/ --Paeroa is located about halfway between New Zealand's largest city Auckland (90 minutes northwest driving) and another urban centre, Tauranga (75 minutes southeast). Paeroa has a population of about 4 thousand - but its WORLDWIDE FAME is thanks to being the birthplace of Lemon and Paeroa, or L and P for short. The popular New Zealand soda was traditionally made by mixing carbonated mineral water from Paeroa's natural springs with lemon juice. --These days it's bottled by Coca-Cola. Over the years, L and P's comical ad slogan "World famous in New Zealand" has become a popular New Zealand saying.

We spent a day on Waiheke Island, one of the highlights of our trip. The island has over 9,400…read moreresidents and is a popular tourist destination. Just 40 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland, it made for an easy day trip. Our plan was to visit various wineries and have a nice dinner in the evening. We did wine tastings at Wild Estate, Stonyridge Vineyard, and Cable Bay Vineyard; lunch at Heke Kitchen, Brewery & Distillery; and dinner at Mudbrick. Unfortunately we missed the bus we needed to take us form the ferry terminal to the first winery, and the next one wasn't departing for another half an hour or so. However, the bus driver of another bus route suggested we hop on his bus, which, while it would not take us to our destination, he could drop us off in an area with some shops where we could look around while we wait for our bus. It was a good suggestion, because waiting half an hour in a cute village is much more enjoyable than waiting half an hour at a ferry terminal with nothing to do. Also, while in the village, we had just enough time to stop into a store where my husband found a great rain jacket. So perhaps it was a good thing that we missed the bus! The first winery we went to was Wild On Waiheke, and we walked between Wild, Heke Kitchen, and Stonyridge Vineyard. We took a cab from Stonyridge to Cable Bay, which was in another area of the island, and from Mudbrick back to the ferry. Despite all the rain we experienced on our trip, we got pretty lucky with the weather while we were on Waiheke Island. If you go to Auckland, I highly recommend a day trip to Waiheke Island, especially if you like wine! [Yelp collections: NZ/Fiji 2023; New Zealand 2023; Wine Time!]

Waiheke Island is a stunning and short ferry ride from Auckland, New Zealand. This serene oasis of…read morethe bluest water has beautiful, world-class wineries, and unique activities, making for a perfect day trip with friends. Once you land on Waiheke, look behind you for wonderful views of the skyline of Auckland. Ready, set, sip wine!

Alberton was definitely in the running when I was choosing a wedding venue as it is just so…read morebeautiful. It's one of those places that is constantly used for fashion, film and even music video shoots because its historic character is so well preserved. It is grand, old and beautiful but there are some rules and regulations that apply to keeping it that way so keep that in mind if you are thinking of using it for an event. The great thing is that it's open to the public so all you have to do is wander on in and explore all its nooks and crannies at your leisure. You will have to pay for the pleasure but that's as it should be in order to keep preserve places like this for future generations. The grounds are stunning as well and a visit here can take you back in time for some romantic day-dreaming. Great for kids too - history is so much more interesting when it's tangible.

Auckland's got a bad track record of hanging on to our historic buildings. Noteworthy architecture?…read moreImportant cultural heritage? Nah, let's tear it down and put up a featureless grey box full of leaky apartments. Sigh. At least we've got it right here though. Alberton House is from the mid 1800s, and it's a pretty neat place. It's a good venue for events (I was here for a wedding), but even without that it's cool just to have a wander around looking at the building itself, with its rabbit-warren servants' quarters and wooden everything. Also if you go upstairs (I say stairs, it's more like a ladder built for elves), they've got a few rooms set up with period furniture, and some of the creepiest dolls I've seen in a long time. This place is worth a visit, especially if the weather is good.

I have been to Nathan Homestead for a few events, my friends wedding, a graduation party, the…read moreMalawian independence day celebrations and a 21st. It is one of those places that can be set up for your venue. The graduation party was in the small room, that had a kitchen. We were able to serve food plus have a great time. The 21st was in the grand hall and my friend made her grand entrance down the stairs in the venue. For the wedding it was outside in the beautiful garden. I have always enjoyed myself at the events at Nathan Homestead and I recommend it to people who are looking for a place to host their next event.

I won't say much but second the great reviews. This is a great library and as a backpacker i spent…read moremany days in here using the wifi, getting info, etc. Not many backpackers here, mostly locals. Quiet. clean. very nice :)