How to Spend a Romantic Weekend in Auckland
Despite not actually being the capital of New Zealand, that title goes to Wellington, Auckland is arguably New Zealand’s best-known city. Built around two huge harbors, the city is perfectly geared up for tourists who love the comforts of city living but crave the beauty of New Zealand’s rugged landscape. If you’re looking for a stunning location to escape to with the one you love then there might be nowhere better. We’ve created a weekend packed full of romantic ideas to enjoy, but you could stretch out the itinerary to take a fortnight if you’re traveling a long way to get there. So, pack your slinkiest dress and your best heels, as well as a pair of walking boots, this is going to be a weekend that you’ll never forget.
Take a Yacht Trip
It would be crazy to visit somewhere so famous for its harbors and not get out on the open ocean. It’s super easy to either charter a yacht or head out on an organized trip from the harbor, you just need to decide what you and your partner would like to get from the day. Those that enjoy wining and dining could charter a yacht ahead of time and ask for some local wines and food to be prepared on board. There are endless beauty spots around Auckland where your skipper will be happy to drop anchor and let you enjoy a romantic lunch together.
One of the most important things to remember when planning a romantic getaway is to think about the things that you both like, rather than what everybody else considers romantic. If the budget is a little smaller, or you’re more into adventuring than wining and dining then you could instead jump aboard one of the organized tours. A particularly pretty route will take you from Waitemata Harbor around the coast where you’ll see many of Auckland’s most famous landmarks. From there, you’ll get to swim on the Hibiscus Coast and reboard the boat to enjoy a cruise around the Bay of Islands. Motukokako is the most famous rock formation on this part of the tour, where your boat will sail through a hole of more than 200 feet in the rock. Don’t forget to look out for dolphins as you sail around the islands, these playful creatures add a whole other element of wonder to this part of the trip.
Stay at Sky City
There are plenty of lovely hotels to choose from in Auckland, but if you really want the luxury treatment then a stay at Sky City is the only way to go. There are three different hotels within Auckland, but the most elegant is The Grand by Sky City. This hotel offers 5-star luxury accommodation with sweeping views of the city below. On-site you’ll find decadent restaurants, and a spa, as well as one of the best casinos in the city. It’s well worth a visit to the casino as it’s lavishly decorated and boasts a huge range of table games which make for a very glamorous night out.
If you’re not familiar with any of the table games then learning how to play online beforehand will help you to feel confident. This guide to the best online casinos in New Zealand will give you all of the information you need to ensure that you find the right casino for you. As well as keeping their list up to date with the best bonuses, they give information on deposit methods too, plus as all of the casinos are available in New Zealand, you can practice from the comfort of your hotel room if you’d like to.
Go Star Gazing
There might be nothing more romantic than lying on a picnic blanket gazing up at the stars and New Zealand happens to be one of the best places in the world to do it. The South Island is the most famous spot for stargazing, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t ample opportunity in Auckland. The beaches around the city are a great place to go, with Tawharanui being our very favorite. This secluded beach is around a 90-minute drive from the city, but its distance from city lights means you have spectacular views of the night skies. Of course, if you’d rather stay inside, or don’t have the time for the drive then Auckland has its very own observatory. The Stardome Observatory Planetarium in Cornwall Park welcomes guests at any time of night. They have interactive displays to help you spot the stars that you’re gazing at and powerful telescopes that can help you to see the constellations in crisp detail.
