The colder months have returned. And, for those of you who prefer chillier days, cosy jumpers and hot chocolates, we’ve found the perfect colder weather activities and things to do to give you some thrills this autumn and winter in Auckland.
1. Waiheke Horse Riding
Head to Waiheke Island for an epic horse riding tour on Woodside Bay. Let loose and ride along the beaches while embracing the stunning scenery the island has to offer. It makes one of the best weekend activities for family or friends in Auckland. For more information, visit the Waiheke Island Tours website.
π Waiheke Island, Auckland
2. Book a ski trip nearby
For those of you eager to hit the slopes, it may be difficult to choose between the variety of ski resorts. From skiing to snowboarding, New Zealand offers some exemplary ski fields that make an unforgettable winter holiday this season. Discover the best places from our list.
3. Hangout at Holey Moley
Holey Moley Golf Club is a quirky chain offering an entertaining mini golf experience paired with drinks, cocktails and scrumptious food. With plenty of insta-worthy moments in this house of fun, it’s the perfect place to spend a few hours on miserable day. Plus, it makes an excellent date idea. To book, visit the Holey Moley website.
π 204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
4. Get lost in a maze
Odyssey Sensory Maze is one of the best things in do in Auckland, and the coolest place to get lose for an hour or two among quirky mirrors, dark tunnels and bright lights.
πLower Basement Metro Centre, 291 – 297 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010
5. Visit a famous film workshop
The renowned WΔtΔ Workshop Unleashed is an immersive experience that teaches visitors all about the wacky world of movie making. Opt for a 90-minute tour focused on three original film concepts: a nail-biting horror, a fantasy epic, and a mind-bending sci-fi. Book your experience here.
πConvention Centre Level 5/88 Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010
6. Go stargazing
Stardome Observatory is a 360-degree indoor planetarium which was founded in 1967 in the One Tree Hill domain. It’s a superb place to get cosy with a date, experience the magic of hyper-realistic and fully immersive showcases, while diving into endless conversations.
π670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland 1345, New Zealand
7. Catch a movie
Why not cosy up at the cinema with one of the best new blockbuster movies? Graciously, we’ve already listed the best new films to see at the cinema in Auckland this season. Definitely, one of the best things to do when it’s raining in Auckland.
8. Hit a rock climbing wall
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, rock climbing is a unique thing to do for the adventurists among us. With a range of rock climbing centres across the city, you’ll be spoilt for options. For example, Clip N Climb is a hugely popular indoor climbing concept, featuring 34 fun and challenging climbing walls for you to complete.
πCapitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1041
9. Get spooked
Head to this horror theme park, Spookers, in a former psychiatric hospital filled with scary zombies, horrific clowns and much more spookiness. It’s mostly covered so you won’t need to worry about the rain while you run for your life. Certainly, one of the best seasonal activities to do.
π833 Kingseat Road, Kingseat 2580, New Zealand
10. Get competitive at an adventure centre
Archie Brothers Cirque Electric is the ultimate funhouse. With fabulous arcade games from bowling to VR gaming, a dazzling diner, a neon lit cocktail bar with the most whimsical cocktails…it’s an ideal place to hide in Auckland. Alternatively, Game Over Auckland is an indoor adventure centre has a range of thrilling attractions to enjoy on a rainy day. Read all about it here.
πVarious Locations
11. Escape from a room
Why not battle it out in an escape room some weekend day? Get tickets here. Definitely, one of the best activities to do during the colder season in Auckland.
πVictoria Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
12. Drink atop the highest rooftop bar in NZ
Bar Albert is the highest rooftop bar in New Zealand opened in 2022. Perched on Level 38 of the Voco Auckland City Centre Hotel, it’s the perfect place to sip a few cocktails and take in the iconic views. Although Auckland has the most sensational rooftop experiences in New Zealand, so why not check out more of the greatest rooftops in Auckland?
π13 Wyndham Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
13. Be inspired at a museum or gallery
Thereβs a range of thrilling museums and galleries to explore in Auckland – most offering free entrance. Some of the best museums to see are Auckland War Museum for history geeks, the Museum of Transport and Technology for fans of technology and Auckland Art Gallery for art lovers. Plus, it’s one of the best things to do alone in Auckland.
πVarious Locations
14. Load up on indulgent food
From the best pizzas to the best brunches, desserts such as cookies and dreamy donuts or even the most ig-worthy dishes around Auckland – there’s plenty of food to eat in a cosy setting while the rain pours down.
15. Visit Snowplanet
Make the most of the colder months by playing in the snow at New Zealand’s only indoor snow park. With over 8,000 square metres of real snow, you can learn how to ski, snowboard, play winter games, and much more. The perfect day out with a group. Definitely, one of these activities to do in Auckland.
π91 Small Road, Silverdale 0932, New Zealand
16. Go Wine Tasting
Pop on your winter warmers to take a trip to one of the best wineries in Auckland. Particularly, we love Waiheke Island wine tasting in places such as Mudbrick Vineyard. Get cosy beside the outdoor fireplace, take in the views, stroll through the gardens and much more while drinking the best wine.
πWaiheke Island, Auckland
SEE MORE: The Most Romantic Dining Restaurants In Auckland
17. Indulge on hot chocolate
Luckily, we’ve already listed the best hot chocolates in Auckland to keep you warm this season.
πVarious Locations
18. Host a unique birthday party
Recently, we listed an array of awesome ideas for someone’s next adult birthday party. Certainly, one of the most exciting colder weather activities this season in Auckland.
πVarious Locations
19. Relax in Hot Springs
Another one of the best seasonal activities. Why not visit many hot pools around Auckland? Opt to take a short ferry ride, and hike the track to visit Kaitoke Hot Springs in Great Barrier Island.
π Great Barrier Island , Auckland
20. Relax in an ig-worthy cafΓ©
If you’re lucky enough to live close to one of the most instagrammable places in Auckland, then get yourself dressed up and head out on a insta-worthy adventure. There’s also plenty of picturesque eateries to spend a few hours on a cold winters day. Alternatively, check out the most instagrammable food dishes in Auckland.
π Various Locations
21. Book a staycation
The boring colder weekends offer an excellent time to breakaway from Auckland and experience something new. Check out dreamy North Island weekend experiences or rare North Island getaways to find an escape.
πVarious Locations
22. Learn about Sea Life Auckland
The colder months make it an excellent time to visit marine life from the Pacific and Southern oceans. Likewise, other activities include the Animal Adventure jump which involves going snorkeling in a shark tank. Otherwise, you can get close to cute penguins, if the sharks are a little too much.
π 23 Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Auckland 1071, New Zealand
23. Eat ube treats
No need to worry about that summer body now that winter is coming. Therefore, treat yourself to insanely delicious ube treats in Auckland. Here, we’ve already listed the best places to find them in. Definitely, indulging on desserts is one of the best colder weather activities to do in Auckland.
πVarious Locations