10 Things to Do in Auckland in October

Auckland is a vibrant, modern city, full of social life and attractive places not to be missed. If you visit in October you can take advantage of the first weeks of spring, joyful festivals, local traditions and Halloween celebrations.

In addition to the many things to do in Auckland all year round, in October you'll find something to suit all tastes and ages. My advice is to go and see for yourself.

If this is your first time in Auckland, this is probably one of the best things to do. Over several days you can enjoy more than 150 events full of history, Maori culture and art that honour the city's heritage.

This festival offers walks, guided tours, as well as the opportunity to discover old photographs of the city. Join a treasure hunt, sign up for a map-making workshop at Howick Historical Village, or take one of the Auckland cruises. The best part? Many activities are free or affordable.

Plus, you can buy gifts for your relatives and immortalise the moments with fun photographs. The Maori are an indigenous Polynesian ethnic group native to New Zealand, who will blow your mind with their culture connected to nature and spirituality.

Every year in October, the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon is held in Auckland, a marathon run by people from all over the world. This adventure gives you the experience of running through the city, and enjoying the sights.

Although it's not like one of the guided tours of Auckland, if you take part you'll get to see much of the city: start in the seaside suburb ofDevonport on the North Shore, which with its Victorian charm offers attractions for all the family, such as ferry rides, antique shopping, bookshops, beaches and cafes.

Along the way you'll also see Takapuna, Northcote, Harbour Bridge, Viaduct Harbor, Tamaki Drive, Saint Heliers Bay, Victoria Park (where the finish line is located), and if you're not used to running you can opt for the half marathon.

Finally you'll finish in Auckland Central, specifically in Victoria Park, a wooded park, ideal for a picnic with your family or to enjoy all the activities the area has to offer.

Take it easy! The Sky Tower is available all year round for tourists and locals to enjoy, but I'll tell you why October is the perfect month to visit.

It is ideal for observing the whole city, as it has three observation decks and viewing areas. Also if you are looking for an extra adrenaline rush, you can do a bungy jump from the Sky Jump platform, or walk along the Sky Walk.

For families, the Sky Deck level is ideal, plus children under five are free, there are annual passes and family packages. Now for the big secret... It's ideal to experience this in October, when you can enjoy clear views and the colours of spring.

Practical information

• Address: Corner Victoria and Federal Streets
• Opening hours: Monday and Tuesday between 9.30am and 6pm. 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.

The best way to learn about Auckland' s culture (as well as get into some of the city's best museums) is to take a tour of the streets on Labour Day.

Labour Day is celebrated to commemorate the struggle for fairer working hours, and as it's a day off, there are also many events available in the city, such as film screenings, basketball games, guided tours and book fairs.

Let Auckland surprise you, and learn more about its food, wine, rituals and traditions. Other great things to do are to visit markets, art exhibitions, or the House of Chocolate, a chocolate factory that offers different flavours such as Itakuja chocolate which is made from passion fruit and double fermented in Valrhona.

This festival celebrates cultural diversity as well as the Indian community. Dance to their songs, enjoy their music, taste and learn how to prepare their traditional dishes.

You will also have the opportunity to create henna tattoos, and make your own Diya, which is a lamp used for the Festival of Lights moment that occurs at the end of the night, when all attendees enjoy fireworks and raise the lamps created during the event.

As you head into Diwali you will have the opportunity to try Moong Dal Halwa, a lentil pudding cooked with milk and butter, Coconut Barfi which is a traditional Indian sweet made from fresh coconut, and other dishes typical of the region.

Sheep outnumber people in New Zealand, so you can't leave the city without seeing at least one, and Cornwall Park is the place to do it. It's a lush park that's a must-see during the spring, and it's well connected to Auckland's transport links, making it easy to get to.

Visiting this park during October is perfect, as you can enjoy a clear, cool night, enter the planetarium and admire the stars through the telescope, although you'll need to book in advance for this experience.

If you're a nature and animal lover, but don't want to hike from Auckland, you can visit Albert Park. The Domain offers a small lake with a variety of birdlife, rallies and events, and from its hills you can see the Auckland Museum, and you could even stop by to learn more about its history.

Every year in October, Aucklanders reinvent themselves to deliver the scariest, but funniest, Halloween. There are activities for all ages in different parts of the city where you can create your own costume.

If you're a horror movie fan, you should probably start your night at the old Kingseat Hospital, a place with haunted houses, monsters hidden in every corner, and plenty of special effects to get your heart pumping.

The city's universities also host themed parties, where prizes are awarded for the best costumes, so you can get your competitive spirit going. During Halloween, some restaurants even transform their menus and offer drinks inspired by this special day in October.

Auckland's cinemas also show the scariest films, there are cemetery tours, and you can even learn about the city's horror stories. There are also festivals, spell-casting workshops and fortune tellers on the streets.

You haven't been to Auckland if you haven't tried the city's wines and food. Around New Zealand you'll find a variety of festivals that take place only in October, such as "it! Bay of Islands Food and Wine Festival, which is attended by local bands, and of course, there's plenty to taste. Or Gisborne's First Light Wine & Food, which attracts top winemakers from around the world.

However, if you're looking for something closer to home, you can escape to Waiheke, better known as the Wine Island, which has a variety of vineyards and wineries stocking the country's best wines. You can get there by ferry in as little as an hour and book a guided tour.

Another option is to book a tour from Auckland to Kumeu, one of New Zealand' s oldest and most iconic wine growing areas.

If you prefer a beer tour of Auckland, try the Codfish Trail which will take you to different breweries around the city, sampling snacks, beers and cocktails. After all that drinking, you'll need to recharge your batteries, and what better way than to head to The Great Auckland Craft Beer Hunt.

Many tourists come to Auckland to go skydiving, as the weather conditions are ideal for this extreme sport. Doing it in October will allow you to enjoy the cool spring weather, with the bonus of clear views.

There are different packages, but you can do a jump from 3,962 metres to 20,000 metres. It's best to book early, as these plans are very popular during October, as it's the holiday season and many families take advantage of this to take on new experiences.

You'll be able to see all the sea and city life from the heights and have a great adventure to tell you about back home. You can also opt for other extreme sports such as abseiling, river rafting, zorbing (where you'll be in a plastic bubble rolling around like a hamster and if you're in Auckland in winter you'll be on ice) or jet boating, among others.

Would you dare to jump out of a plane? Book your skydive in Auckland!

For animal lovers, the Kelly Tarlton Aquarium offers history and a variety of activities, such as hanging out with a population of sub-Antarctic penguins, which you can feed and walk with, visiting the turtle rescue centre, or swimming with sharks, where you 'll dive into a cage and interact with at least 15 species of sharks.

This aquarium is a place of preservation, so it is important to follow the indicated rules regarding coexistence and feeding. It is ideal to visit in October, as it is the holiday season and there are many activities for adults and children.

If you still want to explore Auckland in October, head to Auckland's best attractions!

• Have a romantic getaway on Rangitoto Island.
• Meditate in the Auckland Botanic Gardens and soak up the best energies of spring.
• Get out of the city and take a tour to Hobbiton, ideal for Lord of the Rings fans.
• Wander down the K Road and go shopping.
• Visit the Tiritiri Matangi Bird Sanctuary, where endangered species are preserved.

October is a month with pleasant temperatures, ranging from 5° to 20°, so you can visit many of the city's attractions. Don't forget to wear sunscreen, as UV rays tend to be strong.

Although it's spring, there may be some showers, so bring some warm clothes as a precaution.

In terms of prices, it's considered mid-season, as it's right in between low season (winter) and high season (summer). You'll find flights, accommodation, car rentals and tourist activities at good prices.