10 Things to Do in Auckland in Winter

From June through August temperatures drop to welcome winter, so it's the perfect time to go in search of warm beverages or make plans to escape the rainy days. You can ice skate, attend festivals, sample mulled wine or make plans indoors to protect yourself from the rain.

And, don't worry! Auckland is a privileged city because, compared to other areas of New Zealand, the cold is bearable and you can make outdoor plans. Temperatures stay between 13° and 15° C, but there can be freezing winds.

One of the best things about winter is tasting mulled wine, and for that, I recommend you book the Kumeu wine tour. New Zealand's wine quality is popularly known and you can't miss to join this plan.

If you have not tried it, this is the perfect time to relax and warm up with this delicious drink. In addition, you can go to the street markets, or to Coco's Cantina located on Karangahape Street.

Mulled wine has many benefits and will keep you healthy during the winter, preventing flu and poor circulation.

On clear days, you can book a bike tour of Auckland or even ride up the trails and take a ride to the top. Discover the best cycling routes, so you can set the stops to suit you and enjoy the experience to the fullest. In the surroundings there are places to eat, but as a precaution take a mini first aid kit, some food and water.

In this season the mountain offers cloudy landscapes that have a natural charm. It is a recommended experience as you will be able to take advantage of the cool weather and the special activities that take place at the top.

And what better time than at the gates of winter to book a trip to Hobbiton and experience a movie adventure into the magical world of The Ring of the Rings and the Hobbit.

A day tour to the popularly known as J.R.R. Tolkien's Shire where you will be accompanied by a local guide who will immerse you in Middle Earth as you discover the amazing Waitomo Caves and stroll through the North Island landscapes.

You will also enjoy a drink at the popular Green Dragon Inn and sample delicious local food.

While temperatures in Auckland are pleasant, there can be rainy days that ruin your outdoor plans. So if you want to have a pleasant winter, you should have an option B so that your itinerary is never boring. The best plan is to take a tour of art galleries or see a theater show:

• Toi O Tamaki Gallery: if you want to go to a modern place where you can enjoy unrepeatable works and variety of stories. They constantly renew the works on display and in winter there are special events.
• Gow Langsford, on Wellesley Street, presents temporary exhibitions during the winter.
• Artpace Aotearoa, which houses contemporary New Zealand artists as well as foreign artists.
• Gus Fisher, which has free admission and is located on Shortland Street on the fourth floor of the Kenneth Myers Centre.
• Civic Theatre, where you can enjoy a play, live music, comedy and opera.
• Basement, which is less expensive and runs until 10:30pm.

And if you like challenges, I suggest you take an ice bath, an adventure only for the bravest. This practice has become popular, due to its health benefits. It may seem crazy to dive under the ice during the winter, but you can accompany the experience with a hot drink or a craft beer. One of the most popular places is HANA, a venue that features ice baths and saunas. There are special events during the winter, such as underwater yoga.

Another option is to book your ticket for the Kelly Tarlton Sea Life Aquarium in Auckland, which has no less than 13 themed zones, more than 30 exhibits and 80 different species; or visit Game Over Auckland and play Go Karting, the Mario Kart-style car racing is an indoor option you can't miss. There are outdoor tracks for the more adventurous and the venue is open all day.

Winter isn't complete without a cup of hot chocolate, take a bus tour of Auckland in search of your favorite spot. In Auckland you can find a variety of options, from mild infusions to thicker ones made with local milk.

• The first stop is Bohemien Fresh Chocolates which offers a variety of flavors, from classic hot chocolate to fruity or spicy flavors.
• Locals say that The Volcano Hot Chocolate located in the Commercial Bay, offers the best hot chocolates in town. They prepare the chocolates themselves and from there turn them into hot drinks.
• They also have the Chocolate Bar where they offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails where the brown ingredient is the protagonist.
• On Kingsland Street you can stop at Elisabeth's Chef where you can order hot chocolate bitter, with milk, or add salted caramel, ginger, Aztec spices or fairy floss, while accompanying it with one of their exquisite desserts.
• If you are looking for a thick option, you should stop in Parnell at Chocolate Boutique's Denso, which offers the thickest hot chocolates in the city.

And if you're still not convinced, schedule a food tour of the city.

To keep active and warm, New Zealanders plan events, concerts and festivals. In the neighboring cities you can find options to enjoy, but you will need to make a quick trip by plane and book the transfer from the airport. Don't worry! If you don't want to leave the city, you can take the opportunity to book a tour of Auckland or visit the best winter festivals that I bring you below.

• Celebrate the Maori New Year: During winter the Maori welcome the new year Matariki and you can enjoy activities under the stars in June in Auckland. Be sure to dress warmly to enjoy the special performances, kite flying, workshops and art exhibitions. To honor this day the community usually prepares its typical dances and Hakas competitions. In the city center there are also activities, the most emblematic buildings are decorated and illuminated, such as the Auckland Museum, one of the best museums in the city, where you can learn more about the history of the Maori.
• Indulge your palate at the Auckland Food Festival: Among the things to do in July is the Food Festival, better known as The Food Show, held at the Auckland Showgrounds about ten minutes from downtown. During this month, winter reaches very low temperatures and a food tour is a great option as well as this event, where you can taste a variety of dishes and enjoy demonstrations by renowned chefs and culinary workshops.
• Sweeten your winter at the Chocolate and Coffee Festival: Almost to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring, comes the Chocolate and Coffee Festival where you can discover a variety of brands and flavors, enjoy a hot drink and mix your coffee or chocolate with cheese, nuts and peanut butter.
• Take advantage of the Boutique Wine Festival tasting: If you like to try new wines, this event is for you. You will taste more than 300 types of wines prepared with the best grapes from New Zealand and you will be able to schedule a tour of the production cellar. You will have two days to visit the stands and live a sensory experience analyzing aromas and flavors. To accompany the wine there are food stalls, the entrance fee ranges from approximately 40 to 80 €.

There's nothing better than soaking in warm waters to shake off the numbness from the cold. There are resorts that offer ideal spaces to relax during the winter, with indoor and outdoor hot pools, thermal spas, pampering spas, steam baths and sauna rooms.

You can also enjoy natural hot springs that form due to geothermal activity in the city. Forty minutes from the center is Parakai Springs where there are heated pools with water slides, spas, picnic areas and barbecues. Prices range from €2 for babies to €30 for adults, but you can save if you buy group packages.

An ideal winter plan is to visit the Tropical Butterfly House at Butterfly Creek, a greenhouse that houses more than 800 types of butterflies, as well as fish, birds and reptiles. It is open and located twenty-five minutes from downtown, very close to Auckland Airport, the best methods of transportation to get there are by car, train or bus.

The entrance fee for all attractions starts at 14 €, but there are also family passes. The facilities have a souvenir store that you can go through, as well as a cafeteria, farm and aquarium.

This space preserves the Giant Wētāpunga and the Brown Kiwi, endangered species. The site remains open even on rainy days, as they have covered areas and a train that can move you around the grounds. For more information visit their official website.

You can't miss Snowplanet located half an hour from downtown on Small Street, where you can go snowboarding and snow tubing all day long. It doesn't usually snow in Auckland, but you can live the experience in a unique place that allows you to enjoy the winter to the fullest.

After playing you can stop by their restaurant overlooking the snow slope, you can even celebrate your birthday on the premises. You can also enter Winter Wonderland, a snowy paradise for which you should pack warm clothing suitable for exposure to about 5°, such as wristbands, helmets, gloves, thermal jackets and waterproof clothing.

The facilities also rent the necessary equipment and you can ride on a sled. The entrance fee for one hour ranges from 18 to 35 €. For more information go to their official website and learn about all the activities Snowplanet has to offer.

Many people love to experience winter in all its facets, if you are one of them then you should head to an ice skating rink in Auckland. There are a variety of options and most provide lessons for beginners. Paradice Ice Skating has locations in Avondale and Bontany, where you can enjoy Blackout Fridays or CheapSkate Wednesdays, which offer sessions with music, special effects and group games.

You can also go see an ice sports game, such as field hockey, or appreciate a performance of figure skating, speed skating and curling. After being exposed to the cold, there's nothing better than a cup of hot chocolate at the facility.

If you want to be the queen or king of the ice, head to Aotea Square Ice Rink in the city center, a lighted ice rink where you can skate with friends all day long.

Unlike summer in Auckland, winter is not only fun and amazing, it also offers discounts on hotels, car rentals, flights and tourist attractions. The beaches are still working and although the water is cold, you can make a sandman or picnic on the seashore, as there is no snowfall and the water does not freeze.