Joanna James
Tipped to be one of New Zealand's most couple-friendly destinations, there are plenty of activities to keep the romance alive on a trip to Auckland. Here's a rundown of some of our favourites.
Often regarded as the best place in Auckland to wine and dine in some of the area's best restaurants and bars, the Viaduct Harbour is also one of the most romantic destinations for couples looking for a chic dining venue. With over 30 bars to its name, the sheer variety of intimate restaurants where one can enjoy a candlelight dinner or a scrumptious full course meal is truly staggering. The rooftop bars are another great reason to head to the harbour as the city views and the romantic atmosphere is hard to beat. Couples who prefer to grab breakfast together, on the other hand, will find the trendy harbourside coffee houses offer the best pastry and caffeinated beverages.
There's nothing quite like embarking on a wine tasting tour with a loved one in Auckland. Waiheke Island is the area's designated wine country where couples can spend a few hours exploring the region's top class vineyards and cellar doors. Stops at the Winter Gardens, the Auckland Harbour Bridge and other highlight are all part of the experience which also includes a winemaking demonstration at a vineyard. The Ridgeview Estate, Te Whau and Mudbrick are the area's principal wine producers and the tour includes pit stops at all three wineries to sample their best vintages.
As one of the most picturesque corners of Auckland, no trip to this part of the country would be complete without enjoying a quiet evening at the Auckland Botanic Gardens. Ideal for long walks and picnics, the lush and verdant space lined with blooms of a myriad of hues provide the perfect backdrop for a relaxing afternoon at the park. The themed zones of the garden are home to a whopping 10,000 types of plants while those who want a touch of magic for a proposal will find the Camellia Garden with its petal covered grounds the perfect venue. Arches covered in roses and flower-lined pathways make the Auckland Botanic Gardens a romantic place for spending time hand in hand.
Auckland provides couples who love to catch the sunrise together a host of spectacular beachfront locations to choose from. The most popular among these is Bucklands Beach where the views are unhindered and nothing short of magical while Murrays Bay and Eastern Beach also provide a great vantage point from which to watch the sunrise together. Bastion Point and One Tree Hill are other points around Auckland synonymous with epic sunrises and fantastic views all around.
Those based at the Avani Metropolis Auckland Residences or any other accommodation hubs and best hotels in Auckland who want to get away from the city for a while can set out on an excursion to the Bay of Islands. The cruise and tour of the island include many pit stops at heritage sites including the Waitangi Treaty House while bottlenose dolphins also swim alongside the vessels on most occasions.
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