Overview
While our calendars may have announced the official start to summer more than two months ago, it's only now really that the mercury has crept up high enough on the thermometer for us to actually call it summer without feeling like frauds.
Now, with the weather finally sorted out and the Christmas break firmly (unfortunately) behind us, it is time to explore Auckland and its periphery for summer dates to enjoy with your lover; mind, nothing's stopping you from making these friend dates either.
LEARN TO SURF, HIKE AND SWOON AT THE WEST COAST SUNSET
Muriwai: home to one of New Zealand's only gannet colonies, decent surf and – with the right weather conditions – excellent sunsets and stargazing.
You'll want to start your date with a 10:30am or 3pm two-hour surf lesson at Muriwai Surf School. What time you pick will be based entirely on what the tides and wind are doing, so call ahead a few days in advance to get help picking the best time for your class. The crew at the school are wonderfully patient and clear in their instructions so don't be surprised if you end up catching a wave on your first lesson.
Depending on whether you did the morning or afternoon session, you'll have time to take a small hike around the pretty Goldie Bush nearby before or after your class. For those keen nature walkers amongst us, the the more interesting Mokorua Stream Track (also within Goldie Bush Reserve) is a good one to explore – the track involving zigzagging across the stream quite a couple of times. For those really, really, really keen walkers amongst us, the beautiful Te Henga Walkway is a three to four hour clifftop hike (one way). An en route picnic overlooking O'Neills Bay is an excellent add-on. The drawback of the walk is that it's a bit logistically tricky to organise since you'll want to leave a car at the end of the walk (Bethells Beach) to drive you back to your start location in Muriwai. You can do the walk return, but we don't recommend it unless you're a mountain goat.
Finish off the day nestled into the warm black sand watching the sunset and stars. Staying the night is an easy option, with the beachside Muriwai Campgrounds only charging $15 per head for a campsite (BYO tent, obviously). For those wanting a little bit more luxury, the nearby Rosebud Cottage with its private, outdoor bathtub overlooking the stars and country landscape is a solid choice.
KAYAK TO AND CONQUER RANGITOTO ISLAND
If kayaking to Rangitoto Island at sunset isn't on your bucket list, it should be. Auckland Sea Kayaks makes conquering the Auckland icon achievable for the everyday Aucklander. The Qualmark Enviro-Gold awarded company can even take paddlers with zero experience successfully across the Waitemata Harbour.
Start your date with a delicious lunch at Concrete Playground favourite St Heliers Bay Cafe, where the sea views and café fare both constantly vie for your attention. Even if you choose to have lunch elsewhere, you'll want to aim to get to St Heliers Bay by at least 3:45pm (the trip officially starts at 4pm) as Mission Bay traffic can be unpredictable and add an extra ten minutes to your journey. For those using public transport or based in town, the company does a 3:30pm inner city pickup too.
Once gathered at the St Heliers Bay boat ramp, you'll get a quick run through of the basics – how to paddle, what gear you need etc. You'll then get slotted into your stable, two-man sea kayak and start the roughly four kilometre paddle to the Island. It takes about an hour or two, depending on the group. Once there, hot drinks are served and then a quite Spartan but warm dinner (which is nevertheless pretty impressive considering all the gear has to be lugged across the ocean inside the guides' sea kayaks).
The generally easy hike up to Rangitoto is another hour. Here you'll get treated to nature's daily, romantic sunset show. According to our guide no proposals have been made during this phase of this trip, yet.
The paddle back to Auckland city is almost the best part, the city's pretty lights glittering across the harbour makes for a really special sight. At the end of the trip you'll also receive a complimentary sense of accomplishment. Relish it and then reward yourselves with a celebratory tipple at the intimate The Jefferson bar. You two have earnt it.
GO BIKING, WINE TASTING AND GLAMPING ON WAIHEKE ISLAND
Take your bike on the ferry to the lazily gentrified Waiheke Island for a luxurious weekend getaway. For those who don't have a bike to proudly call their own, the island has two rental services that we've been able to track down. One for battery powered e-bikes, eCyclesNZ, and one which rents out rugged, mountain bikes from the car rental lot just outside the Matiatia Wharf, the creatively named Waiheke Bike Hire. The island is pretty hilly, so choose your ride wisely. Alternatively, hire a scooter for absolutely no workout and just pure lazy relaxation and sightseeing. No judgment.
Once kitted with your means of transport, take a brief peddle up to Oneroa's Oyster Inn, where you can enjoy freshly shucked Te Mataku oysters from down the road as well as other varieties. After a long lunch, you can take a self-guided wine tour of the local vineyards - Cable Bay Vineyards and Mudbrick Vineyard being standouts.
Finish the date with a sunset ferry back to the city, or stay the night at one of Fossil Bay Lodge's Lotus Belle tents for a special, unique cadence to the date.
HAVE A ROMANTIC HORSE RIDE AT PAKIRI BEACH
There's something damn romantic about horse rides. Stock image libraries and wedding photographers definitely know it, the internet consequently being littered with the classic horse and adoring couple combo with maybe a side of sunset. We're not here to argue with the well-worn precedent, in fact we're all for it.
In particular, we'd like to nudge you lovebirds to try Pakiri Beach Horse Rides, just north of Auckland. Rides vary depending on your level of experience (from none to confident), so choose accordingly. Earn all the points by making it an overnight ride which encompasses riding across white sandy beaches and native forest, amazing views, and an overnight stay in a private beach cabin or lake chalet.
On your return trip, consider a stop by Kumeu to do some strawberry picking and maybe a meal at the high quality Tasting Shed.
HEAD OVER TO GREAT BARRIER ISLAND FOR A HOT SPRING SESH AND WATERFALL SWIM
Great Barrier Island has more walks than can be attempted in one weekend. One of the highlights, the Kaitoke Hot Springs Track is an easy one hour (2.5 kilometre) walk which takes you to a series of natural hot spring pools (NB: take care and don't just jump in as they can get too hot sometimes). Cooper's Castle Track is another good one, taking about 2.5 hours to complete and leading you up to a views-drenched lookout. Finally, Warren's Track is a nice and easy, gently graded walk that'll take you to some good swimming holes and past a lovely waterfall.
For those interested in spending some time in the island's surrounding ocean, SUPs, sea kayaks, sit-on-top kayaks and snorkelling gear are also available to hire on the island.
Stay the night at DOC's Mt Heale Hut for stunning views (NB: it's about a three hour hike up via Windy Canyon and Palmer's Track).
SNORKEL AT GOAT ISLAND AND ENJOY A PINT AND LIVE MUSIC AT LEIGH SAWMILL
Goat Island is New Zealand's first ever marine reserve and proudly so with a generous amount of fish now calling the surrounding 518 hectares home. $38 per person gets you the full snorkelling combo – snorkel, mask, fins and wetsuit (yes, even in summer; you'll thank us) – from The Octopus HideAway. From there, just get in the water and explore the area.
It pays to get to Leigh early – 7 to 8am-ish as Goat Island crowds start picking up around 10am. Around lunchtime you'll probably be calling it quits from a long morning of mingling with the fishes, which is the perfect time to try the award-winning Leigh Fish and Chips up on Cumberland Street. After a few more turns baking in the sun at the beach, finish the day off with a brew and legendary pizza from the live music venue and restaurant Leigh Sawmill Cafe. Overnight lodging at the Sawmill is also available.
Image: Muriwai sunset, Chris Gin.