Things to do, Places to see!
I hope you plan on doing more than just studying on your exchange to Auckland! There are so many things to do in this metropolis. Here's a list of some of my favourite places in and around Auckland:
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Located right near PSV residence in the Auckland Domain, the beautiful Museum will provide you with an informative cultural experience. New Zealand's first museum is home to three heritage libraries and Maori and Pacific collections, as well as artefacts from other nations and cultures.
Sal's Authentic New York Pizza
Sal's may be located in the heart of Auckland, but it tastes like it came straight out of a pizza oven in New York City! My friends and I loved coming here between classes for a nice study break. Highly recommended!
Mount Eden
View from the top of Mount Eden
Mount Eden is an inactive volcano near the center of the city. It is the highest point in Auckland. Definitely make the trip to the top of the mountain to see a beautiful view of the city and surrounding islands. Make sure you don't roll down the giant grassy hill - it's actually a crater!
Burgerfuel
I didn't realize how much I loved hamburgers until I went to Burgerfuel! Burgerfuel is an international chain, but there are a few locations in New Zealand. The location I frequented was located in Parnell. These hamburgers are reasonably priced and come with a wide range of toppings, including fried eggs, guacamole, and their famous aioli dressing. They also have a wide range of delicious veggie burgers.
Parnell Baths Outdoor Swimming Pools
Located in the residential area of the suburb of Parnell, the Parnell Baths are a great place to go for a swim during the Spring and Summer months. Students can get in for a discounted price, and the location is great, especially for all of you PSVers. There are three large outdoor pools and a hot tub at the Parnell Baths. The pools are located right by the ocean and Mission Bay is just a few minutes away. My friends and I always had a great time here; one time, some of the staff members even broke out into an impromptu synchronized swimming performance!
Mission Bay
View of Rangitoto Island from the Mission Bay beach
Mission Bay is a short walk from Parnell or a short bus ride away from downtown. Many people congregate at the Mission Bay beach to swim, kayak, play soccer or Frisbee, or just bask in the sun. There are also delicious ice cream shops and restaurants by the water. If you're living in Auckland, you'll probably find yourself relaxing on this beach after class, while it's still hot out.
Parnell Farmer's Market
New Zealand is known to support their local farmers and food producers. One way that they do so is by encouraging local producers to showcase and sell their items at Farmer's Markets. There is one weekly Farmer's Market that is conveniently located in Parnell, right by the public library. Rather than going to the large supermarkets, like Countdown, my friends and I loved to spend the afternoon buying homemade breads, spreads, and fresh vegetables at the Sunday Farmer's Market. Another bonus: there's plenty of delicious free samples!
Waiheke Island
Stonyridge Vineyard
Waiheke Island is just a short and scenic ferry ride away from the Auckland harbour, but you'll feel like you're on a secluded island while you're there. Waiheke Island is known for its beautiful beaches and beachfront condos, as well as its plethora of world class wineries and vineyards. Definitely do a wine tasting while you're there, or buy a bottle of wine to share with your friends on Onetangi beach. If you want to explore the island, renting a car is definitely the best way to get around as the island is quite hilly. I rented a car while I was there and the drive was magnificent. We had to pull over many times to take pictures of the rolling green hills, the ocean in the distance, and the herds of sheep!