10 Things to Do in Auckland in June
During the month of June, temperatures start to drop in New Zealand. Nevertheless, the tourist attractions are red hot in every corner of Auckland.
Vista desde la montaña de Auckland |©chen kehan
The magic of its art, culture and tradition merge with the beauty of Auckland's beaches, native plants and varied wildlife. Ski and snowboard resorts are gearing up in June to welcome tourists with a variety of activities for adults and children alike.
If you're planning your next trip to enjoy June in Auckland, here are the most attractive proposals to organise your best checklist. Regardless of your travel style, it's a month where you'll find plenty to do.
1. Sign up for a whale watching tour
While there are several types of cruises available in Auckland, very few places in the world offer the opportunity to see whales in their natural habitat. And between May and June is the season to appreciate their majesty and beauty.
Are you travelling with children? If so, don't hesitate to book a whale watching tour in Auckland, ideal for the whole family, where they can learn about the natural wonders of New Zealand. This is definitely a must-do excursion to admire life at its wildest and a must-do on your agenda.
In the waters of the Hauraki Gulf you'll discover six types of whales, in an environment full of dolphins, penguins and seabirds.
2. Discover the incredible Hobbiton film set and the Waitomo Caves.
If there's one thing that made New Zealand one of the top tourist destinations for travelling with children, it's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Thousands of people visit the country to explore the landscapes of Gandalf, Frodo and Aragorn and booking a trip to Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves is a popular plan.
The fictional yet world-famous town of Hobbiton is among the most popular destinations of interest to visit from Auckland. A fantasy town of tiny houses carved into the green hills of a mountain.
Explore Waitomo's underground caverns, tour Bilbo Baggins' house, the stone bridge and the Green Dragon Inn. Discover interesting facts about the construction of the set and the making of the films. The filmmakers decided to leave the set as a tourist attraction - are you going to miss it?
3. Dive into the world of Kelly Tarlton Aquarium
It's a rainy day in June and you don't know what to do? As well as visiting some of Auckland's best museums, it's also a great idea to book your ticket to the Auckland Aquarium, especially when there are kids around.
The aquarium was opened in 1985 by diver and marine archaeologist Kelly Tarlton and is located in Okahu Bay, near Mission Bay Beach. A detail of its structure is that it was designed on the basis of curved tunnels and not flat panels as we see in the classic aquariums. This produces a special interaction effect with the different species.
This structure allows you to feel closer to the aquatic world and enjoy the more than 30 exhibits that the place has. On your tour, you will be able to see two species of penguins, sea turtles, tropical fish and sharks.
4. Take a trip to Waiheke Island
Free spirits and artists mingle with the rich and famous on this island paradise. This destination is known for the variety of wineries for wine tasting, perfect places to sample and savour the quality of the grapes at their best.
Add to that fine restaurants with beautiful views of the coastline, and booking a tour of Waiheke Island is a great option for the most discerning palates. Browse the dozens of art galleries and craft shops the Waiheke Art Circle has in store for visitors. Appreciate the antique musical instruments at the Waiheke Musical Museum and attend the various concerts and events in June.
If you're travelling with children, the beaches have children's play areas and barbecues. You can also take a family walk along the trails and enjoy the beautiful views. There's a 50-minute ferry ride from Auckland to Waiheke Island.
5. Enjoy a high altitude plan from Sky Tower
Sky Tower is Auckland's landmark. At 328 metres high, it is one of the tallest buildings in the southern hemisphere and one of the most popular attractions. Not surprisingly, it will be one of the points you'll visit if you book a guided tour of Auckland. In June, you'll be able to go up without queuing as there are fewer tourists than in summer.
It's a three-level observation tower with views of the city's major landmarks and attractions such as Mount Eden, the Harbour Bridge and Waiheke Island.
If you're an adrenaline junkie, don't miss the SkyJump- can you imagine jumping from 192 metres? You're sure to love it. Or if you prefer something a little quieter, try the SkyWalk. Here you can stroll around and look out over the city from the platform. And if you feel you're not up for these thrills, you can always stay in the viewing platform or in the restaurant located at the top.
Practical information
- Address: Corner Victoria and Federal Streets
- Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday between 9.30 am and 6 pm. Wednesday to Sunday between 9.30am and 8pm.
- Price: Depends on the activities you wish to do, but a single ticket costs just over €20.
6. Tour the warm, artisan city of Nelson.
Nelson is renowned for being the sunniest place in New Zealand. It is one of the cities with the best weather in the oceanic country, ideal for discovering its different attractions in the month of June and one of the favourite destinations for those looking to make excursions from Auckland. Located in the South Island, it offers a dream landscape, where you can do all kinds of activities: cycling, kayaking, paddle surfing, hiking, sunbathing on the beaches...
In addition, the city of Nelson is the access to three parks that you have to see: Nelson Lakes National Park, Abel Tasman Park and Kahurangi National Park.
- Nelson Lakes National Park: you will be able to see many birds as you walk along the trails surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges.
- Abel Tasman National Park: with incredible ocean views, this is one of the most beautiful parks. Here you can take a kayak tour or walk along the trails.
- Kahurangi National Park: it is so big that you will be amazed. It has a huge variety of native plants and wildlife. Some scenes from Lord of the Rings were filmed here.
7. Learn about Maori culture at the Matariki Festival.
If there's one event you can't miss during your visit to Auckland, it's the Matariki Festival. During the festival you'll be able to experience the culture of the island's original inhabitants, the Maori, from their music to their cuisine.
Before the Matariki Festival came along, the Maori celebrated what was called the Maori New Year under that name. It was a festival celebrating the harvest. All of this was marked by the study of the constellations and the arrival of the winter solstice.
During the festival different cultural events take place in various areas in and around the city. Activities include light shows, markets, exhibitions, stargazing and Maori art exhibitions.
Practical information
- Address: Various areas of the city
- Dates: Events usually start in late June and run until early July.
- Price: Depends on the activities you want to do, ranging from free to fee-paying.
8. Enjoy Winter Armageddon
If you're looking for things to do in Auckland in winter, specifically in June, in order to avoid a rainy day, one of the best options is to go to Winter Armageddon, a great exhibition that takes place in the Auckland Showground and where you'll find guaranteed fun for the whole family.
In this exhibition centre you can enjoy games, virtual reality experiences, a racing car simulator or even an area dedicated to disco music. There is also a mini-golf course, card tournaments and an area for throwing axes. There is also the possibility of meeting a film or television star, as some of them often attend the events that take place during the two and a half days that the event usually lasts.
To get even more out of it, you can come dressed up as your favourite animated character. On the last day, in fact, there is usually a parade of the best cosplayers.
Practical information
- Address: Auckland Showgrounds. 217 Green Lane West
- Dates: Usually held in the first week of June, but dates should be confirmed.
- Price: from around €16 for one day.
9. Experience the nightlife in Viaduct Harbour
This is one of Auckland's liveliest areas. Especially when night falls. You'll find more than 30 bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a drink or dinner on the waterfront. Don't forget that one of the most characteristic plans of the city is to go on a beer tour around its bars.
After seeing its harbour, you will understand why it is called "the city of sails". There you can watch the superyachts and admire the boats as you walk along the shore taking in the beauty of the scenery.
Strolling around Viaduct Harbour is one of the best things to do in Auckland if you're travelling in June. The precinct has car parking and hosts regular events, adding to the exciting atmosphere that Viaduct Harbour is famous for.
10. Relax and unwind in the incredible hot springs.
There's nothing cosier than a natural hot spring bath in winter. And New Zealand is full of hot springs. The country's unique location on the fringes of the Pacific Plate makes it one of the most thermally active places on the planet.
Natural hot springs are known as hot springs, while man-made pools that use local thermal waters are called hot pools. Just a two-hour drive from Auckland city, you have several options to enjoy these natural wonders.
- Rotorua Polynesian Hot Springs. This is a haven of natural mineral baths and a world-class luxury spa. Here you can soak in soothing hot pools and soak in the relaxing mineral baths. You can also receive reflexology therapy to stimulate the pressure points of the feet and soothe the body.
- Hell's Gate Mud Bath and Sulphur Spa: Here you can choose from multiple spa options: therapeutic volcanic mud baths, sulphur spas and a mud foot pool.
- Te Puia Geothermal Valley: In this reserve, geothermal activity mingles with Maori culture, crafts and friendliness. The valley has been welcoming tourists to experience its natural attractions for 170 years.
A day in the valley is a day of traditional craftsmanship immersed in the energy produced by more than 500 geothermal wells. One of them has been declared a world heritage site, the Pöhutu geyser. Enjoy performances of Maori dances and rituals while enjoying a delicious dinner in a beautiful setting.
Weather in Auckland in June
The maximum temperature is 15°C, while the minimum temperature is 8°C so you can comfortably enjoy the best things to do in Auckland. In addition, June tends to be consistently cloudy, with an average day length of 9 hours and 40 minutes.
In this context, it's an ideal month for city sightseeing, museums and all manner of indoor attractions. And as the snow begins to appear, conditions are favourable for sporting activities such as skiing and snowboarding.