Auckland Vacation Travel Guide - Why Auckland Is A Tourist Hotspot - Trip Advisor & Booking
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00:00The City of Oakland, also known as the City of Sails, is home to approximately 1.7 million
00:08people, making it New Zealand's largest and most cosmopolitan urban center.
00:13You'll discover a thriving metropolis with an electric blend of people, places, and things
00:19to eat here.
00:20Beautiful bays, beaches, harbors, islands, and wineries abound in Oakland between two
00:26harbors.
00:27Visit the extinct volcano Anrangitoto, cruise around Great Barrier Island, scuba dive in
00:32the Goat Island Marine Reserve, or take a leap of faith off the Sky Tower.
00:37If you're planning a vacation to Oakland, our guide is here to help you through the
00:41best tourist attractions.
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00:48We provide vacation travel guides for some of the most adventurous regions around the
00:52world.
00:53In this video, we'll be providing a travel guide for anyone planning to explore the City
00:57of Oakland.
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01:04New Zealand's largest city, Oakland, is located in the northern part of the North Island.
01:09It is a vibrant multicultural city set around two big natural harbors and ranked as one
01:14of the most livable cities in the world.
01:17The Sky Tower, a local landmark, overlooks the lively Viduct Harbor, home to numerous
01:22luxury ships, clubs, and restaurants.
01:25The formal Winter Gardens can be found in Oakland-O-Main, the city's oldest park built
01:30over an inactive volcano.
01:32To the east is the Huraki Gulf, to the southeast is the Lohanua Ranges, to the west is the
01:38Manukau Harbor, and to the northwest are the Waitakere Ranges.
01:42Oakland seamlessly blends majestic scenery with the hustle and bustle of city living
01:47thanks to its clean beaches, lush volcanic peaks, and twin harbors on the Pacific Ocean
01:52and the Tasman Sea.
01:53Rather than just passing through on the route to Queenstown or the Bay of Islands, international
01:58visitors to New Zealand should make Oakland their final destination and spend at least
02:03a few days exploring all it has to offer.
02:07Best Time to Visit
02:08The best times to visit Oakland are from March to May and between September and November.
02:14These months offer pleasant temperatures, mostly sunny days, and smaller tourist crowds.
02:19The natural beauty of New Zealand is a significant element of the country's allure, and most
02:24outdoor pursuits available in and around the city are at their peak when the weather is
02:29balmy and clear.
02:30Several music and art festivals take place during the summertime, and the ASB Classic
02:35Tennis Tournament, essentially Oakland's equivalent of Wimbledon, is held in January.
02:40Before you pick up your travel dates, you should note if you're from the Northern Hemisphere
02:45that the seasons are reversed here.
02:47For example, winter in New Zealand coincides with summer in the United States.
02:53Best Hotels
02:54Park Hyatt
02:55The Park Hyatt is the glitziest and newest luxury hotel in Oakland.
02:59It is located in Wynyard Quarter and occupies a prime waterfront position.
03:04The hotel is designed to cater to the international jet set.
03:08It has four restaurants and bars, a day spa, a fitness facility, and various event spaces.
03:14There are 195 rooms available, each of which is significantly larger than the city's usual
03:19room standards.
03:20Discover five-star hotel rooms and suites at Park Hyatt Oakland, where you immerse in
03:25the world of luxury, style, and elegance.
03:28The rooms and suites are designed with floor-to-ceiling windows for the perfect view.
03:33Some rooms have stunning views across Wynyard Quarter's Leiter Basin and Waitemata Harbor.
03:38The interior design is sleek and contemporary, as is typical for Park Hyatt Hotel, and throughout
03:43the space, there are allusions to the indigenous culture of New Zealand.
03:48These stylish and spacious guest rooms incorporate Maori accents, such as custom-designed tuketuke
03:53panels and rugs made from New Zealand wool.
03:57The Hotel Bridomart
03:59Over the past 20 years, Bridomart has undergone a comprehensive revitalization, and the highly
04:05awaited hotel will serve as the precinct's crown jewel.
04:08The Hotel Bridomart has 99 guest rooms.
04:11All the guest rooms are 22 square meters in size and come with snug timberline walls,
04:16beautifully tiled bathrooms, built-in sofas, handmade ceramics, and mini bars full of locally
04:22sourced treats.
04:23The landing suites are particularly noteworthy because each one is exquisitely decorated
04:28on the inside, and three feature garden terraces and breathtaking views of the Waitemata Harbor.
04:34Because it is encircled by some of the most desirable retail and dining venues, and key
04:39transportation hubs, it is the ideal accommodation choice for tourists who want to be in the
04:43center of all the action.
04:46QT Oakland
04:48The QT opened in the viaduct neighborhood of Oakland in 2020, and its expansive rooftop
04:54bar rapidly became a hotspot for local and international party-goers alike.
04:59Successful QT outposts in the past have been in Queenstown and Wellington.
05:04The vibe is comparable to the standard NW hotels which cater to millennials with their
05:09quirky, unorthodox takes on luxury.
05:12The hotel has a director of chaos who can arrange for guests to experience an extravagant
05:17night out.
05:19Local personalities have been enlisted as business partners to help spread the word
05:23about all the city offers.
05:25This is a five-star hotel, so it's fancy, fun, and a little quirky.
05:29QT are known for pushing the design envelope, so if your taste is traditional and conservative,
05:35then try something new and book anyway!
05:39Hotel Fitzroy
05:40Hotel Fitzroy is a great pick for those searching for a more local experience, as it is housed
05:45in a historic villa amid the quieter residential areas of Ponsonby.
05:50Its low-key, boutique ambience provides a genuine glimpse into the lives of residents,
05:56and it is conveniently located near many of the city's hip cafes and cocktail bars.
06:01It's cozy, because there are just 10 rooms total.
06:04Immerse yourself in a relaxed stay in this carefully restored landmark villa, where indulgent
06:09treats like cocktails and hors de bois in the library, breakfast in bed, and quiet relaxation
06:15are all part of the experience.
06:17Beautifully designed superior luxury rooms cater to every whim, while our discreet hosts
06:23can curate your perfect Oakland experience.
06:26Vibrant Ponsonby Road is a mere five-minute stroll away, boasting many of the best restaurants
06:31and bars in Oakland with cuisines for all tastes.
06:35Cafes and boutique shopping stretch the length of this iconic road, while garden-like reserves
06:40nestled around the neighborhood offer a restful spot to enjoy a coffee.
06:46Best Restaurants
06:47Mailinta
06:49Mailinta is a chic South American restaurant found in Victoria Park Market.
06:54The menu is inspired by the flavors and traditions of South America.
06:58Mailinta collaborates with and celebrates the best producers and suppliers in Hateoroa.
07:04Here you can enjoy your meal outside while gazing in awe at the culinary masterpieces
07:09being concocted in the restaurant's open-air kitchen.
07:12Most dishes are prepared in traditional manner, which involves cooking them over a fire of
07:17wood and coal.
07:18This imparts a comforting aroma throughout the establishment.
07:22Try some of the smoked pahutukawa oysters or some of the kingfish terraditos.
07:27After dinner, you may get a nightcap at its adjoining bar, The Shy Guy, which specializes
07:32in cocktails.
07:34Kingi
07:35Kingi is a sophisticated restaurant that is open all day and is run by the same dynamic
07:41duo that is responsible for the success of Ponsonby's Orphan's Kitchen.
07:46Here, diners can indulge in delicious cocktails and sustainably sourced seafood.
07:51The Yellow Belly Flounder, the Chatham Island Blue Cod Wings, and the Crayfish Roll with
07:56Carrot Kimchi are some of the restaurant's signature dishes.
08:00The Lobster Roll has been reimagined with crayfish and carrot kimchi.
08:04Savor the characteristic flavors of New Zealand's oceans, dunes, river mouths, and reefs alongside
08:10a good glass of wine.
08:12Ponsonby's is located in the middle of Britomart, surrounded by some of the best nightlife in
08:16the city, so it's an excellent place to start a night out in town.
08:21Daphne's
08:22Daphne's, one of the city's newest and most popular restaurants, is a must-visit for foodies
08:29in Oakland.
08:30It is the result of a collaboration between two award-winning restaurants who have successfully
08:35brought a taste of Greece to Ponsonby.
08:37A journey around Europe before COVID sparked their imagination and ultimately led to this
08:43notion.
08:44The area is lively and has a Mediterranean feel thanks to the terracotta colored walls
08:50and the many indoor and outdoor seating options.
08:53The space is designed to feel like a family dinner party at home, gazing over the night
08:58whilst enjoying with friends over drinks.
09:01Souvlaki, feta salads, whole flounder, spanakopita, and mezza dishes are some of the traditional
09:07Greek foods given a modern spin on the menu.
09:11Amano
09:12The Savor Group owns Amano, which has made Oakland's dining scene substantially more
09:18respectable.
09:19Savor has a reputation for originality, the quality of its products, and the high standard
09:24of service that is consistent across the company portfolio.
09:29Each of the group's establishments dotted about the city adheres to a tried and true
09:33formula consisting of the following components.
09:37Impressive seasonal cuisine, sophisticated interior decor, and a personality that consistently
09:42seems lively and is well suited to the surrounding area.
09:46Amano is the perfect example.
09:49It is located in a building in Fridomart that is over a century old with exposed brick.
09:55It has a lively atmosphere and appealing menus that are built around the concept of providence.
10:00The restaurant caters to the requirements of the locals living in the city by providing
10:04a large dining area that is the ideal starting place for a night out, in addition to a bakery
10:10that offers a delectable selection of sandwiches and pastries that can be taken away.
10:16Adda
10:17Within the recent open Covenant Boutique Hotel in Graylin, you'll find one of the most
10:22energetic and exciting new restaurants in all of Oakland, Adda.
10:26The atmosphere is rustic and airy, and the food is influenced by Italian cuisine.
10:32Walk through a former Covenant to find this Italian-inspired gem and be transported straight
10:37to Tuscany.
10:38Set in the Spanish Mission style, this gorgeous churns out modern Italian food with the very
10:44best local produce.
10:46The menu is made for mixing, matching, and sharing.
10:50The cuisine highlights include chocolate panna cotta with hazelnuts, pizza frittata with
10:54indua, telegio, and oregano, and handkerchief pasta with pig ragu and ricotta.
11:01The cocktails are also very high quality.
11:04The restaurant can accommodate both large and small groups.
11:09The Glass House
11:10Matacana is like Oakland's version of Napa Valley with its abundance of vineyards and
11:16old-fashioned eateries that serve meals al fresco.
11:20The Glass House is the spectacular home of Brick Bay Wines and the getaway to Brick Bay
11:25Sculpture Trail.
11:26Situated over a shimmering lake, the Glass House kitchen offers relaxed all-day dining
11:32showcasing the freshest seasonal produce.
11:35Indulge in morning or afternoon tea with locally roasted coffee and delectable sweet treats.
11:41The fabulous lunch menu features the freshest seasonal cuisine inspired by local farm produce,
11:47orchards, and gardens.
11:49Share lunch platters filled with New Zealand cheeses, artisan breads, and locally made
11:54condiments.
11:55Taste their highly acclaimed range of boutique wines in a spectacular vineyard setting.
12:01Diners get a discount on Sculpture Trail tickets, so don't forget to wear your walking shoes.
12:06Brick Bay presents an exhibition of contemporary sculpture by New Zealand's leading contemporary
12:11artists.
12:12Discover a dynamic exhibition of large-scale sculpture set in a stunning natural environment
12:18of native bush, wildlife, and ponds bursting with water lilies.
12:24Place to Visit
12:25Oakland Art Gallery
12:27The Oakland Art Gallery is the most important art museum and a cultural leader in New Zealand.
12:33It plays an important role in the city's cultural life and the building itself is a work of
12:38architectural art that has won a number of prestigious honors all over the world.
12:43With multiple exhibition spaces spreading across four levels of this award-winning building,
12:48The Oakland Art Gallery is easily the largest and most inspiring visual arts experience
12:54in Hautearoa, New Zealand.
12:56There are currently 17,000 works of art that are part of the collection.
13:01These works of art include a diverse selection of paintings, sculptures, and prints from
13:06the past and the present.
13:08In addition to showcasing the work of local artists, the venue also hosts international
13:13exhibitions.
13:15It has hosted several international shows, such as the Obliteration Room by Kusama Yayoi,
13:20which is perfect for Instagram, and classic masterpieces by artists such as Monet, Renoir,
13:26Magritte, Degas, and Van Gogh.
13:31Visit Waiheke Island
13:32Waiheke Island is just 21 kilometers from Oakland and is home to scenic beaches, wineries,
13:39hiking trails, and other fun outdoor activities.
13:42It's especially known for its wine and is even known as New Zealand's Island of Wine
13:47with dozens of vineyards to visit.
13:50Spend a day on the picturesque Waiheke Island and go wine tasting at one of the many vineyards
13:55there.
13:56There are a few that stand out in particular, such as Pentalas Estate and Mudbrick, both
14:01of which have sophisticated restaurants ideal for commemorating important life events, and
14:06Man O' War, which can only be reached by boat.
14:09Most of these properties are among the most notable.
14:12Waiheke makes a great day trip from Oakland and is easy to explore by bike, bus, or rental
14:19car.
14:20There are regular ferries to the island, which take about 45 minutes.
14:24Waiheke has a distinctly bohemian vibe because of the many artists and creative types who
14:30call it home.
14:31The island's galleries and art walks are major draws.
14:35There are numerous stunning beaches, including Onoroa, Palm Beach, and Onatangi.
14:40It is well worth your time to stop by the Island Gelato Company in Onoroa Village for
14:45a serving of their Amaretto ice cream after visiting one of the many stunning beaches.
14:51The ferry voyage from downtown Oakland takes about a half hour, but if you're in the mood
14:55for luxury, you can charter a helicopter and take in the breathtaking scenery above.
15:02That sums up our travel guide for your next adventure in the city of Oakland.
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15:21Thanks for watching, have a great day, and stay tuned for more soon!