Julie’s guidebook

Julie
Julie’s guidebook

Food scene

My personal favourite – Walnut Cottage, with excellent yummy food and surroundings, breakfast and brunch/lunch. Can't recommend this highly enough! Lots of parking, and safe for little kids to play, with outdoor seating when it's warm enough. There's even ducks to feed, and across the road from the northern end of Orewa beach, to walk off the yummy fare.
10 locals recommend
Hollywood Bakery and Espresso
4 Hillary Square
10 locals recommend
My personal favourite – Walnut Cottage, with excellent yummy food and surroundings, breakfast and brunch/lunch. Can't recommend this highly enough! Lots of parking, and safe for little kids to play, with outdoor seating when it's warm enough. There's even ducks to feed, and across the road from the northern end of Orewa beach, to walk off the yummy fare.
A consistant family favourite for unbelievable asian fusion fare, with a fascinating menu and reliable and quick service.
23 locals recommend
CHEEK AND CHONG
348 Hibiscus Coast Hwy
23 locals recommend
A consistant family favourite for unbelievable asian fusion fare, with a fascinating menu and reliable and quick service.
These guys just get the flavours right!
Spice & Soda Indian Restaurant
15 Karepiro Drive
These guys just get the flavours right!
We love good thai food, and this is one we love!
Charm Thai
2 Milner Ave
We love good thai food, and this is one we love!
Walk down the end of our street, and along the estuary walk-way and this is the first cafe you come too. Next to the Orewa Skate ramp for the kids.
Driftwood Cafe
214 Hibiscus Coast Highway
Walk down the end of our street, and along the estuary walk-way and this is the first cafe you come too. Next to the Orewa Skate ramp for the kids.

Sightseeing

Visiting Wenderholm is a must, for a sheltered (usually) lovely white sand beach, with walks. There's always somewhere shady to park and rest up and read, if that's your thing too.
55 locals recommend
Wenderholm Regional Park
37 Schischka Rd
55 locals recommend
Visiting Wenderholm is a must, for a sheltered (usually) lovely white sand beach, with walks. There's always somewhere shady to park and rest up and read, if that's your thing too.
Muriwai is always worthy of a picnic; black sand beach that literally goes for miles, golf course, cafes, horse-riding in this location. If you're hiking, there is a waterfall you can get to.
89 locals recommend
Muriwai Beach
458 Motutara Rd
89 locals recommend
Muriwai is always worthy of a picnic; black sand beach that literally goes for miles, golf course, cafes, horse-riding in this location. If you're hiking, there is a waterfall you can get to.
Magnificent picnic spot, glorious views and many walking tracks. This is protected and the pukekos are enormous! Perfect family outing - you can even collect cockles on the safe beach, that is very shallow.
126 locals recommend
Shakespear Regional Park
1501 Whangaparaoa Rd
126 locals recommend
Magnificent picnic spot, glorious views and many walking tracks. This is protected and the pukekos are enormous! Perfect family outing - you can even collect cockles on the safe beach, that is very shallow.
Catch the Gulf Harbour ferry, and head away for an unforgettable day-trip. Fullers ferry tickets, day trips, e-bikes and more info.
407 locals recommend
Waiheke Island
25 Karaka Rd
407 locals recommend
Catch the Gulf Harbour ferry, and head away for an unforgettable day-trip. Fullers ferry tickets, day trips, e-bikes and more info.
Absolute beautiful spot, especially if you're wanting photographs. Next to museum and Auckland hospital, close by to Parnell's famous top-class shopping.
69 locals recommend
Domain Wintergardens
Wintergarden Road
69 locals recommend
Absolute beautiful spot, especially if you're wanting photographs. Next to museum and Auckland hospital, close by to Parnell's famous top-class shopping.
Drive or walk up to the incredible structure, and historical site. Breath-taking views, particularly at night.
11 locals recommend
Bastion Point
19 Hapimana St
11 locals recommend
Drive or walk up to the incredible structure, and historical site. Breath-taking views, particularly at night.
Stunning place to walk and meet up with friends or family in the southern Auckland location. Cafe and sometimes events. If you're heading to Hamilton, after staying, also check out the Hamilton Gardens - they are unrivaled!
99 locals recommend
Auckland Botanic Gardens
102 Hill Rd
99 locals recommend
Stunning place to walk and meet up with friends or family in the southern Auckland location. Cafe and sometimes events. If you're heading to Hamilton, after staying, also check out the Hamilton Gardens - they are unrivaled!

Fun things to do

Movies anyone? Close by, and an easy fun thing to do!
34 locals recommend
HOYTS Hibiscus Coast
6 Link Cres
34 locals recommend
Movies anyone? Close by, and an easy fun thing to do!
Fun thing to do, cheap and cheerful, and great for a rainy day activity for any age.
17 locals recommend
Tenpin Bowling
14 Link Cres
17 locals recommend
Fun thing to do, cheap and cheerful, and great for a rainy day activity for any age.
For all ability levels, or just to eat their yummy food at the indoor fireside cafe. Get the muscles ready, before you head off to the real mountain!
99 locals recommend
Snowplanet
91 Small Rd
99 locals recommend
For all ability levels, or just to eat their yummy food at the indoor fireside cafe. Get the muscles ready, before you head off to the real mountain!
Indoor pool/s, suits all ages, plus a gym. Check the time-table for aquarobics, or fitness classes. Absolute go-to and close by.
17 locals recommend
Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre
159 Brightside Rd
17 locals recommend
Indoor pool/s, suits all ages, plus a gym. Check the time-table for aquarobics, or fitness classes. Absolute go-to and close by.
Perfect gift and fun experience, about 45mins drive.
7 locals recommend
Matakana Oysters
1217 Leigh Rd
7 locals recommend
Perfect gift and fun experience, about 45mins drive.
Matakana Village market on Saturday mornings.
154 locals recommend
Matakana Village Farmers' Market
2 Matakana Valley Rd
154 locals recommend
Matakana Village market on Saturday mornings.

Arts and Culture

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki
Wellesley Street East
606 locals recommend
787 locals recommend
Auckland War Memorial Museum
787 locals recommend

Supermarket

21 locals recommend
Countdown
Whangaparaoa Road
21 locals recommend

Traveler advice

Ways to save

Museum is free for Aucklanders

Aucklanders with rate payer evidence; iphone emails showing rates account
Ways to save

Deals for zoo, movies, outings

Check grab one deals and check gold card local info
Getting around

Bus service can save time. Uber is great here.

Gold card holders - free on some bus and ferry timetables, mostly off peak
Book before you go

The Dog Den local doggie day care Silverdale

Book your doggie in, before you go exploring/shopping