Food Scene
A tasteful delight, great French bakery with cafe and take home products for savoury and sweet.
18 locals recommend
La Tropezienne
92 Clyde RdA tasteful delight, great French bakery with cafe and take home products for savoury and sweet.
Swiss Cafe & Bakery
5 Milford RdLovely Swiss bakery - Yum!
Really nice and mostly healthy food served in a quaint environment. Good sized servings.
11 locals recommend
Bread and Butter Milford
116 Kitchener RdReally nice and mostly healthy food served in a quaint environment. Good sized servings.
Lovely Japanese food. Good idea to reserve your table if you're a large group as they're often full.
16 locals recommend
Musashi Japanese Cuisine - Milford
212 Kitchener RdLovely Japanese food. Good idea to reserve your table if you're a large group as they're often full.
Talay Thai Restaurant
83 Kitchener RdNice Thai food.
Langkawi Malaysian Restaurant
122 Kitchener RdNice restaurant for families
Venice Italian Restaurant
91 Kitchener RdItalian is always a great option for dinner!
Anokha Indian Restaurant
140 Kitchener RdArigato Japanese Restaurant
144 Kitchener RdI love Japanese food!
Kebab Serai Milford
188 Kitchener RdGreat healthy food
Probably one of the most popular Cafe's on the North Shore. This award winning cafe is environmentally friendly and grows a lot of their own meat and vegetables.
148 locals recommend
Takapuna Beach Cafe
22 The PromenadeProbably one of the most popular Cafe's on the North Shore. This award winning cafe is environmentally friendly and grows a lot of their own meat and vegetables.
Shopping
A boutique mall with some lovely unique shops including shops for tourists, a supermarket and everything you would need. Only a small mall, but has everything you want and more.
40 locals recommend
Milford Centre
24 Milford RdA boutique mall with some lovely unique shops including shops for tourists, a supermarket and everything you would need. Only a small mall, but has everything you want and more.
Westfield Albany
219 Don McKinnon DrLargest Mall on North Shore. Has everything.
Boutique mall recently renovated and up graded with awesome shops, cafes and department store. Medium sized mall.
39 locals recommend
Shore City Shopping Centre
56 Anzac StBoutique mall recently renovated and up graded with awesome shops, cafes and department store. Medium sized mall.
A farmers market that also sells bric-a-brac (second hand household goods). A great place to stock up on good priced artisan foods, organic fruit and vegetables, NZ made cheeses etc. Take cash with you as EFTPOS is not available everywhere. Open Sunday mornings only.
56 locals recommend
Takapuna Markets
17 Anzac StA farmers market that also sells bric-a-brac (second hand household goods). A great place to stock up on good priced artisan foods, organic fruit and vegetables, NZ made cheeses etc. Take cash with you as EFTPOS is not available everywhere. Open Sunday mornings only.
A lovely boutique tourist store with NZ made goods. A large selection of touristy products - great gifts for self and friends and family back home. Free parking outside and an easy walk to Mairangi Bay beach and local cafes.
Nikau New Zealand Made
408 Beach RdA lovely boutique tourist store with NZ made goods. A large selection of touristy products - great gifts for self and friends and family back home. Free parking outside and an easy walk to Mairangi Bay beach and local cafes.
Parks & Nature
My favourite picks are a walk between Milford and Takapuna beaches and a visit to North Head tunnels in Devonport.
Great beach with grassy park and awesome kids playground (even great for older kids). Close to cafe's, ice-cream etc. A lovely walk from Milford beach.
148 locals recommend
Takapuna Beach Cafe
22 The PromenadeGreat beach with grassy park and awesome kids playground (even great for older kids). Close to cafe's, ice-cream etc. A lovely walk from Milford beach.
A lovely beach with grassy verge and children's swing (full playground just down the road). This is a beautiful beach with a lovely coastal walk way past exclusive North Shore beach front homes. Awesome views of the harbour, gulf and islands. I even like to walk the beach in the rain.
20 locals recommend
Mairangi Bay Beach
Montrose TerraceA lovely beach with grassy verge and children's swing (full playground just down the road). This is a beautiful beach with a lovely coastal walk way past exclusive North Shore beach front homes. Awesome views of the harbour, gulf and islands. I even like to walk the beach in the rain.
A small beach in a small bay, this beach is lovely for families with young children as the water is shallow. Also a nice playground and grassy area just across the carpark.
8 locals recommend
Castor Bay Beach Reserve
7 The EsplanadeA small beach in a small bay, this beach is lovely for families with young children as the water is shallow. Also a nice playground and grassy area just across the carpark.
Walk through NZ Native bush with labeled trees in the heart of the city. A lovely 1 hour walk. Discover some of New Zealand's unique flora and fauna.
8 locals recommend
Centennial Park
184 Beach RdWalk through NZ Native bush with labeled trees in the heart of the city. A lovely 1 hour walk. Discover some of New Zealand's unique flora and fauna.
Stunning views of Auckland city and Auckland harbour, this lovely park has walks, history and geography - great for families, individuals, couples. Not good for wheelchair access but ok for a mountain buggy for young ones. Guests can explore the tunnels free of charge (take your cell phone for a torch), walk around the numerous walking trails, discover a private beach or two, occasionally see a NZ fur seal or little blue penguin and even take some cardboard (your host might have some if you ask) and get the kids to slide down the grassy slopes - great fun for toddlers through to teens.
85 locals recommend
North Head
Stunning views of Auckland city and Auckland harbour, this lovely park has walks, history and geography - great for families, individuals, couples. Not good for wheelchair access but ok for a mountain buggy for young ones. Guests can explore the tunnels free of charge (take your cell phone for a torch), walk around the numerous walking trails, discover a private beach or two, occasionally see a NZ fur seal or little blue penguin and even take some cardboard (your host might have some if you ask) and get the kids to slide down the grassy slopes - great fun for toddlers through to teens.
A nice beach with awesome beach walk between Milford and Takapuna (about 1 hour) passing by exclusive beach front houses, views out to Rangitoto Island, and over a unique volcanic rock where you can see remnants of trees that were burned during the volcanic eruption a long long time ago and an old castle wall. Great historical / geographical walk, lovely views, nice beach for swimming too. Adjacent to beach is a park and children's play ground.
6 locals recommend
Milford Road
Milford Road A nice beach with awesome beach walk between Milford and Takapuna (about 1 hour) passing by exclusive beach front houses, views out to Rangitoto Island, and over a unique volcanic rock where you can see remnants of trees that were burned during the volcanic eruption a long long time ago and an old castle wall. Great historical / geographical walk, lovely views, nice beach for swimming too. Adjacent to beach is a park and children's play ground.
Walk (or take the 'bus') up this iconic Auckland Volcano. Great geology and botany, a lovely day walk, historical houses, awesome view of Auckland City from the top. Lovely native bird life too.
280 locals recommend
Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve
Walk (or take the 'bus') up this iconic Auckland Volcano. Great geology and botany, a lovely day walk, historical houses, awesome view of Auckland City from the top. Lovely native bird life too.
New Zealand Native Bird Sanctuary, Tiritiri Matangi is a protected, predator free island in the Auckland harbour that is home to some of our most endangered, rare and unique birds. An easy walk, you are guaranteed to see bird life you cannot see on the mainland. One of my favourite things to do in Auckland.
122 locals recommend
Tiritiri Matangi Island
New Zealand Native Bird Sanctuary, Tiritiri Matangi is a protected, predator free island in the Auckland harbour that is home to some of our most endangered, rare and unique birds. An easy walk, you are guaranteed to see bird life you cannot see on the mainland. One of my favourite things to do in Auckland.
Awesome bush walks in NZ native forest - check that it is open as it is sometimes closed for pest eradication.
114 locals recommend
Waitākere Ranges Regional Park
Awesome bush walks in NZ native forest - check that it is open as it is sometimes closed for pest eradication.
A lovely beach surrounded by a green park and children's playground. Has a wonderful beach front walk past amazing volcanic geology through to Takapuna cafe's and beach. Walk to Takapuna, get an icecream or drink and walk home again or hire a Lime Scooter. What a great activity for all!
6 locals recommend
Milford Road
Milford RoadA lovely beach surrounded by a green park and children's playground. Has a wonderful beach front walk past amazing volcanic geology through to Takapuna cafe's and beach. Walk to Takapuna, get an icecream or drink and walk home again or hire a Lime Scooter. What a great activity for all!
Getting Around
Need to get to Auckland City? Why not go there by sea. This lovely, short boat ride gives you awesome views of Auckland Harbour and stops at the port at the foot of Queen Street (Auckland's main city / CBD street). Ferry leaves every 10 - 15 minutes.
47 locals recommend
Devonport Ferry
Need to get to Auckland City? Why not go there by sea. This lovely, short boat ride gives you awesome views of Auckland Harbour and stops at the port at the foot of Queen Street (Auckland's main city / CBD street). Ferry leaves every 10 - 15 minutes.
Lime scooters are everywhere - don't worry about the map location which just shows their head office. Simply download the app on your smart phone and you'll get GPS positions of Lime Scooter locations. They are easy to hire and fun to use. Great transport. Over 18 year olds only.
Lime Scooters
Lime scooters are everywhere - don't worry about the map location which just shows their head office. Simply download the app on your smart phone and you'll get GPS positions of Lime Scooter locations. They are easy to hire and fun to use. Great transport. Over 18 year olds only.
Key hub for buses to city. Can catch bus from our guest house to this bus station for rapid transport to the city and beyond. Go to their website for timetable information.
13 locals recommend
Smales Farm Bus Station
Key hub for buses to city. Can catch bus from our guest house to this bus station for rapid transport to the city and beyond. Go to their website for timetable information.
Entertainment & Activities
There is lots to do in Auckland. The jewel in our crown is our harbour and off shore islands. So if you're here for a couple of days be sure to visit either Rangitoto Island, Waiheke Island or, if you're a true nature lover, go to Tiritiri Matangi Island. Auckland Zoo and Auckland Museum are also top locations.
North Harbour Stadium
One of three major sports locations on the North Shore
Eventfinda Stadium
17 SilverfieldSports centre and exhibition hall
Snowplanet
91 Small RdIndoor, all year round snow / ski park
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
23 Tamaki DrA good rainy day activity for families.
A great day out and you get to see our special New Zealand exhibit including: Kiwi and other native, endangered birds and reptiles including penguins and the rare '3-eyed' Tuatara lizard.
382 locals recommend
Auckland Zoo
A great day out and you get to see our special New Zealand exhibit including: Kiwi and other native, endangered birds and reptiles including penguins and the rare '3-eyed' Tuatara lizard.
Arts & Culture
Bruce Mason Centre
The PromenadeAuckland's main museum located in an 'English garden' domain with Winter Gardens and lovely views of Auckland harbour. Some good exhibits and an insight into Maori culture too.
787 locals recommend
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Auckland's main museum located in an 'English garden' domain with Winter Gardens and lovely views of Auckland harbour. Some good exhibits and an insight into Maori culture too.
A historical look at NZ's connection to the sea - interesting models and historical artifacts show the migration of Maori and Pacific Islanders in the South Pacific and looks at New Zealander's love of the ocean. Located near the waterfront with awesome views of Auckland Harbour and in a major eating district with a huge choice of lovely restaurants, cafes and icecream / snack shops.
81 locals recommend
New Zealand Maritime Museum
A historical look at NZ's connection to the sea - interesting models and historical artifacts show the migration of Maori and Pacific Islanders in the South Pacific and looks at New Zealander's love of the ocean. Located near the waterfront with awesome views of Auckland Harbour and in a major eating district with a huge choice of lovely restaurants, cafes and icecream / snack shops.
Essentials
New World Milford
141 Kitchener RdCrown Hill Dairy
135 East Coast RoadA one minute walk from our house is this convenience store.
Han Yang Corporation Limited
85 Wairau RdA large Chinese supermarket located a short drive from Appin House.
Tai Ping
25 Porana RdAn Asian Supermarket located a short drive from Appin House
Fruit and vegetable grocery store located a short drive from Appin House (this location is closer than the other Asian supermarkets in peak traffic time, but is a smaller store)
14 locals recommend
Tai Ping City
105 Beach RdFruit and vegetable grocery store located a short drive from Appin House (this location is closer than the other Asian supermarkets in peak traffic time, but is a smaller store)
A large supermarket within Milford Mall stocking a wide range of international products and fresh groceries
18 locals recommend
Countdown Milford
143 Kitchener RdA large supermarket within Milford Mall stocking a wide range of international products and fresh groceries