10 Things to Do in Auckland in June
During the month of June, temperatures begin to drop in New Zealand. Nevertheless, the tourist attractions are red-hot in every corner of Auckland.
Vista desde la montaña de Auckland |©chen kehan
The magic of its art, culture and tradition merge with the beauty of Auckland's beaches, native plants and varied fauna. The ski and snowboard resorts get ready in June to welcome tourists with a wide variety of activities for both adults and children.
If you are planning your next trip to enjoy the month of June in Auckland, here you will find the most attractive proposals to organize your best checklist. Regardless of your travel style, it is a month where you will find many activities.
1. Sign up for a whale watching tour
Although there are several types of cruises available in Auckland, very few places in the world offer the opportunity to see whales in their natural habitat. And between May and June is the season to appreciate their majesty and beauty.
Are you traveling with children? In that case, do not hesitate to book a whale watching tour in Auckland, ideal for families, with which they can learn about the natural wonders of New Zealand. Undoubtedly, a must-do excursion to admire life in its wildest state that you cannot miss in your agenda.
In the waters of the Hauraki Gulf you will discover six types of whales, in an environment full of dolphins, penguins and seabirds.
2. Discover the incredible Hobbiton film set and Waitomo Caves.
If there is something that positioned New Zealand as one of the tourist destinations to travel with children is the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. Thousands of people visit the country to explore the landscapes of Gandalf, Frodo and Aragorn and booking a trip to Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves is a popular plan.
The fictional, yet world-famous, town of Hobbiton is among the most popular destinations of interest to visit from Auckland. A fantasy village of small houses carved into the green hills of a mountain.
Explore the subway caverns of Waitomo, tour Bilbo Baggins' house, the stone bridge and the Green Dragon Inn. Discover interesting facts about the construction of the set and the filming of the movies. The filmmakers decided to leave the set as a tourist attraction. Are you going to miss it?
3. Dive into the world of the Kelly Tarlton Aquarium
Is it a rainy day in June and you don't know what to do? Besides being able to visit some of Auckland's best museums, it's also a great idea to book your ticket to the Auckland Aquarium, especially when there are kids around.
The aquarium was opened in 1985 by diver and marine archaeologist Kelly Tarlton and is located in Okahu Bay, near Mission Bay beach. A detail of its structure is that it was designed based on curved tunnels and not flat panels as we see in the classic aquariums. This produces a special interaction effect with the different species.
This structure allows you to feel closer to the aquatic world and enjoy the more than 30 exhibits that the place has. On your tour, you will be able to see two species of penguins, sea turtles, tropical fish and sharks.
4. Take a trip to Waiheke Island
Free spirits and artists mingle with the rich and famous on this island paradise. This destination is known for the variety of wineries it has for wine tasting, perfect places to taste and savor the quality of the grapes at its best.
And if you add to that its good restaurants with beautiful views of the coast, booking a tour of Waiheke Island becomes an ideal option for the most demanding palates. Visit the dozens of art galleries and craft stores that the Waiheke Art Circle has prepared for its visitors. Appreciate the antique musical instruments of Waiheke Musical Museum and attend the various concerts and events offered in June.
In the case of traveling with children, its beaches have children's play areas and barbecues. They will also be able to walk along the trails with their families, enjoying the beautiful views. To move to Waiheke Island you have a ferry from Auckland with a duration of 50 minutes.
5. Enjoy a high altitude plan from the Sky Tower
Sky Tower is the emblem of Auckland. With 328 meters high, it is one of the tallest buildings in the southern hemisphere and one of the most popular attractions. Not surprisingly, it will be one of the points that you will visit if you book a guided tour of Auckland. In June, moreover, you can go up without waiting in line because there are fewer tourists than in summer.
It is a communications tower with three observation levels where you can see the main monuments and attractions of the city such as Mount Eden, the harbor bridge and Waiheke Island.
If you like adrenaline, you can't miss the SkyJump. Can you imagine jumping from 192 meters? I'm sure you'll love it. Although if you prefer something quieter, you can try the SkyWalk. Here you can stroll and contemplate the city from the platform. And if you feel you're not up for these emotions, you can always stay at the observation deck or in the restaurant located at the top.
Practical information
- Address: Corner Victoria and Federal Streets
- Hours: Monday and Tuesday between 9.30 am and 6 pm. Wednesday to Sunday, between 9:30 am and 8 pm.
- Price: it depends on the activities you want to do, but a single ticket costs a little more than 20 €.
6. Tour the warm and artisanal city of Nelson
Nelson is known for being the sunniest place in New Zealand. It is one of the cities with the best climate of the oceanic country, ideal to discover its different attractions in the month of June and one of the favorite destinations for those looking to make excursions from Auckland. Located in the south island, it offers a dream landscape, where you can do all kinds of activities: cycling, kayaking, paddle surfing, hiking, sunbathing on the beaches...
In addition, the city of Nelson is the access to three parks that you have to see yes or yes: Nelson Lakes National Park, Abel Tasman Park and Kahurangi National Park.
- Nelson Lakes National Park: you will be able to see many birds while walking along its trails surrounded by wonderful mountain ranges.
- Abel Tasman National Park: with incredible ocean views, it is one of the most beautiful parks. Here you can take a kayak tour or walk along its trails.
- Kahurangi National Park: it is so big that you will be amazed. It has an immense variety of native plants and wildlife. Some scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed here.
7. Get to know the Maori culture at the Matariki Festival.
If there is one event you cannot miss during your visit to Auckland, it is the Matariki festival. During it you will be able to learn about the culture of the original inhabitants of the island, the Maori, from their music to their cuisine.
Before the Matariki Festival appeared, the Maori already celebrated with that name what was called the Maori New Year. It was a feast in which the harvest was celebrated. All this, marked by the study of the constellations and the arrival of the winter solstice.
During the festival different cultural events take place in various areas of the city and the surrounding area. Among other activities, there are light shows, markets, exhibitions, stargazing and Maori art exhibitions.
Practical information
- Address: Various areas of the city
- Dates: Events usually start in late June and run until early July.
- Price: depends on the activities you wish to do, ranging from free to fee-paying.
8. Enjoy Winter Armageddon
If you are looking for things to do in Auckland in winter, specifically in June, in order to avoid a rainy day, one of the best options is to go to Winter Armageddon, a great exhibition that takes place in the Auckland Showground and where you will find guaranteed fun for the whole family.
In this exhibition center you can enjoy games, virtual reality experiences, a racing car simulator or even an area for disco music. In addition, there is also a mini-golf course, card tournaments and an area for throwing axes. There is also the possibility of meeting a movie or television star, as it is common for some of them to attend the events that take place during the two and a half days that the event usually lasts.
To get even more out of it, you can come dressed up as the animation character you like the most. On the last day, in fact, there is usually a parade of the best cosplayers.
Practical information
- Address: Auckland Showgrounds. Green Lane West, 217
- Dates: usually held in the first week of June, but it is advisable to confirm the dates.
- Price: from approximately 16 € for one day.
9. Experience the nightlife in Viaduct Harbour
It is one of the liveliest areas of Auckland. Especially when the night comes. You will find more than 30 bars and restaurants to have a drink or enjoy a dinner in front of the sea. Do not forget that one of the most characteristic plans of the city is to make a beer tour of its bars.
After seeing its port, you will understand why it is called "the city of sails". There you can watch the superyachts and admire the boats while you walk along the shore observing the beauty of the landscape.
Strolling through Viaduct Harbour is one of the best things to do in Auckland if you travel in June. The precinct has car parking and hosts regular events, adding to the exciting atmosphere for which Viaduct Harbor is famous.
10. Relax and unwind in the incredible hot springs.
There's nothing cozier than a natural hot spring bath in winter. And New Zealand is full of hot springs. The country's unique location on the fringes of the Pacific Plate makes it one of the most thermally active places on the planet.
The natural hot springs are known as hot springs, while man-made pools that use local thermal waters are hot pools. Just a two-hour drive from the city of Auckland, you have several options to enjoy these natural wonders.
- Polynesian Spa of Rotorua. It is a refuge of natural mineral baths and a world-class luxury spa. Here you can take a dip in soothing hot pools and immerse yourself in the relaxing mineral baths. At the same time, you can receive reflexology therapy to stimulate the pressure points of the feet and soothe the body.
- Hell's Gate Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa: Here you can choose from multiple spa options: therapeutic volcanic mud baths, sulfur spas and a mud foot pool.
- Te Puia Geothermal Valley: In this reserve, geothermal activity mingles with Maori culture, crafts and friendliness. The valley has been welcoming tourists to experience its natural attractions for 170 years.
A day in the valley is a day of traditional craftsmanship immersed in the energy produced by more than 500 geothermal wells. One of them has been considered a world heritage site, the Pöhutu geyser. You can enjoy performances of Maori dances and rituals while enjoying a delicious dinner in a beautiful setting.
Weather in Auckland in June
The maximum temperature is 15°C, while the minimum temperature is 8°C so you can comfortably enjoy the best things to do in Auckland. In addition, June tends to be consistently cloudy, with an average day length of 9 hours and 40 minutes.
In this context, it is an ideal month for city sightseeing, visiting museums and all kinds of indoor attractions. And as snow begins to appear, conditions are favorable for sports activities such as skiing and snowboarding.