10 Things to Do in Auckland in Winter

From June to August temperatures drop to welcome winter, so it's the perfect time to go in search of warm drinks or make plans to escape the rainy days. You can ice skate, attend festivals, sample mulled wine or make plans indoors to protect yourself from the rain.

And don't worry, Auckland is a privileged city because, compared to other parts of New Zealand, the cold is bearable and you can make outdoor plans. Temperatures stay between 13°C and 15°C, but there can be chilly winds.

One of the best things about winter is tasting mulled wine, and for that I recommend booking the Kumeu wine tour. The quality of New Zealand's wine is well known and you can't miss out on this plan.

If you haven't tried it, this is the perfect time to relax and warm up with this delicious drink. You can also head to the street markets, or Coco's Cantina located on Karangahape Street.

Mulled wine has many benefits and will keep you healthy during the winter, preventing flu and poor circulation.

On clear days, you can book a bike tour of Auckland or even head up the trails for a ride to the top. Discover the best cycling routes, so you can set the stops to suit you and enjoy the experience to the full. There are places to eat in the surrounding area, but as a precaution take a mini first aid kit, some food and water.

In this season the mountain offers cloudy landscapes that have a natural charm. It is a recommended experience as you will be able to take advantage of the cool weather and special activities at the top.

And what better time than at the approach of winter to book a trip to Hobbiton for a movie adventure into the magical world of The Ring of the Rings and the Hobbit.

A day trip to the popularly known as J.R.R. Tolkien's Shire where you'll be accompanied by a local guide who will immerse you in Middle Earth as you discover the amazing Waitomo Caves and take a walk through the North Island scenery.

You'll also enjoy a drink at the popular Green Dragon Inn and sample delicious local food.

While temperatures in Auckland are pleasant, there can be rainy days that ruin your outdoor plans. So if you want to have a pleasant winter, you need to have an option B so that your itinerary is never boring. The best plan is to take a tour of the art galleries or see a theatre show:

• Galeria Toi O Tamaki: If you want to go to a modern place where you can enjoy unrepeatable works and variety of stories. They are constantly renewing the works on display and in winter there are special events.
• Gow Langsford, on Wellesley Street, presents temporary exhibitions during the winter.
• Artpace Aotearoa, which houses contemporary New Zealand artists as well as artists from overseas.
• Gus Fisher, which has free admission and is located on Shortland Street on the fourth floor of the Kenneth Myers Centre.
• Civic Theatre, where you can enjoy a play, live music, comedy and opera.
• Basement, which is cheaper and runs until 10.30pm.

And if you like a challenge, I suggest an ice bath, an adventure only for the bravest. This practice has become popular, due to its health benefits. It may sound crazy to dive under the ice during winter, but you can accompany the experience with a hot drink or a craft beer. One of the most popular places is HANA, which has ice baths and saunas. There are special events during the winter, such as underwater yoga.

Another option is to book your ticket for the Kelly Tarlton Sea Life Aquarium in Auckland, which has no less than 13 themed zones, over 30 exhibits and 80 different species; or visit Game Over Auckland and play Go Karting, the Mario Kart-style car racing is an indoor option you can't miss. There are outdoor tracks for the more adventurous and the venue operates all day.

Winter isn't complete without a cup of hot chocolate, take a bus tour of Auckland in search of your favourite spot. In Auckland you can find a variety of options, from smooth brews to thicker ones made with local milk.

• The first stop is Bohemien Fresh Chocolates which offers a variety of flavours, from classic hot chocolate to fruity or spicy flavours.
• Locals say that The Volcano Hot Chocolate, located on Commercial Bay, offers the best hot chocolates in town. They prepare the chocolates themselves and then turn them into hot drinks.
• They also have a Chocolate Bar where they offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails where the brown ingredient is the main ingredient.
• On Kingsland Street you can stop at Elisabeth's Chef where you can order bitter hot chocolate, milk chocolate, or add salted caramel, ginger, Aztec spices or fairy floss, while accompanying it with one of their exquisite desserts.
• If you're looking for a thicker option, stop by Parnell at Chocolate Boutique's Denso, which offers the thickest hot chocolates in the city.

And if you're still not convinced, book a food tour of the city.

To keep active and warm, New Zealanders plan events, concerts and festivals. In neighbouring cities you can find options to enjoy, but you'll need to make a quick plane trip and book a transfer from the airport- don't worry, if you don't want to leave the city, you can book a tour of Auckland or visit the best winter festivals below.

• Celebrate the Maori New Year: During the winter the Maori welcome the new year Matariki and you can enjoy activities under the stars in June in Auckland. Be warm enough to enjoy the special performances, kite flying, workshops and art exhibitions. To honour the day, the community often performs traditional dances and holds Hakas competitions. In the city centre there are also activities, with iconic buildings being decorated and illuminated, such as the Auckland Museum, one of the city's best museums, where you can learn more about Maori history.
• Indulge your taste buds at the Auckland Food Festival: Things to do in July include the Food Festival, better known as The Food Show, held at the Auckland Showgrounds about ten minutes from downtown. During this month, winter temperatures are very cold and a food tour is a great option as well as this event, where you can sample a variety of dishes and enjoy demonstrations by renowned chefs and culinary workshops.
• Sweeten your winter at the Chocolate and Coffee Festival: Almost to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring, come the Chocolate and Coffee Festival where you can discover a variety of brands and flavours, enjoy a hot drink and mix your coffee or chocolate with cheese, nuts and peanut butter.
• Take advantage of the Boutique Wine Festival tasting: If you like to try new wines, this event is for you. You'll taste over 300 types of wine made from New Zealand's finest grapes and you can schedule a tour of the production cellar. You will have two days to visit the stalls and have a sensory experience analysing aromas and flavours. To accompany the wine there are food stalls, the entrance fee ranges from approximately €40 to €80.

There's nothing better than soaking in warm water to shake off the numbness of the cold. There are resorts that offer ideal spaces for winter relaxation, with indoor and outdoor hot pools, thermal spas, pampering spas, steam baths and sauna rooms.

You can also enjoy natural hot springs formed by geothermal activity in the city. Forty minutes from the centre is Parakai Springs where there are heated pools with water slides, spas, picnic areas and barbecues. Prices range from €2 for babies to €30 for adults, but you can save if you buy group packages.

An ideal winter plan is to visit the Tropical Butterfly House at Butterfly Creek, a greenhouse that houses more than 800 types of butterflies, as well as fish, birds and reptiles. It's open and twenty-five minutes from downtown, very close to Auckland Airport, the best methods of transport to get there are by car, train or bus.

Entry costs for all attractions start at €14, but family passes are also available. There is a souvenir shop to browse through, plus a café, farm and aquarium.

The Giant Wētāpunga and the endangered Brown Kiwi are kept here. The site remains open even on rainy days, as they have covered areas and a train that can take you around the grounds. For more information visit their official website.

Snowplanet is located half an hour from the centre on Small Street, where you can snowboard and snow tube all day. It doesn't usually snow in Auckland, but you can experience it in a unique place that allows you to enjoy the winter to the fullest.

After playing you can stop by their restaurant overlooking the snow slope, you can even celebrate your birthday on the premises. You can also enter Winter Wonderland, a snowy paradise for which you'll need to pack warm clothing suitable for exposure to around 5°C, such as wristbands, helmets, gloves, thermal jackets and waterproof clothing.

Equipment hire is also available at the facility, and you can ride on a sled. Admission for one hour ranges from €18 to €35. For more information go to their official website and check out all the activities Snowplanet has to offer.

Many people love to experience winter in all its facets, if you're one of them then you should head to an ice skating rink in Auckland. There are a variety of options and most offer lessons for beginners. Paradice Ice Skating has locations in Avondale and Bontany, where you can enjoy Blackout Fridays or CheapSkate Wednesdays, which offer sessions with music, special effects and group games.

You can also catch a game of ice sports, such as hockey, or watch a performance of figure skating, speed skating and curling. After being exposed to the cold, there's nothing better than a cup of hot chocolate in their facilities.

If you want to be king or queen of the ice, head to Aotea Square Ice Rink in the city centre, a floodlit rink where you can skate with friends all day long.

Unlike summer in Auckland, winter is not only fun and amazing, it also offers discounts on hotels, car hire, flights and tourist attractions. The beaches are still working and although the water is cold, you can still make a sandman or have a picnic by the sea, as there's no snowfall and the water doesn't freeze.