173 Unusually Fun Activities (in Auckland)
Here is a big list of random Fun, and Physically Active activities – these can make a good list of stuff to do / ideas for activities etc. I have put them all here as a placeholder so I can go back to this as I do each one and add more info.
Each of these were summaries of various times I had been brainstorming ideas, asking people for workout plans or just trying to research really random and interesting experiences around Auckland.
This list is very messy. It is in all sorts of tables and formats, so I will clean it up when I get a chance, but in the meantime, below are a whole buckton of cool stuff to do. I have made it generic as ideas, and also made it specific to Auckland. I wanted to list experiences which were unusual, and would make an amazing time, and a great memory!
1 Endurance Circuit (refer to programme summary on page 2, what we went through on Wednesday) May need to show you through the alternative exercises.
2 Jacobs Ladder – stairs. X10 sets running up, all the way to the top of the pathway.
3 Mountain biking – try bigfoot adventures, they have lots of tracks to choose from. www.bigfootadventures.co.nz
4 Rock climbing. Try extreme edge, it’s tougher than most people think it is.
5 Rangitoto – walk/run to the top. Take lunch and make a day of it together.
6 Cycling tours. i.e. 0800-biketour / www.bikeparks.co.nz
7 Kayaking. i.e Fergs Kayaking. If you’re feeling extra energetic…Could try Kayaking to Rangitoto and walking up. Full day’s worth of exercise.
8 Muriwai surf school, surfing is a fantastic upper body workout. Heaps of fun.
9 Canoeing –Puhoi river is beautiful for this, not far from Auckland either. Pick a calm day J
10 Rollerblading, i.e. try roller centre in Mt Wellington
11 Salsa dancing. Might not be your thing but it is such a good workout
12 Tennis, one hour fun/social game.
13 Waiheke island costal walks. Spend a weekend there, don’t hire a car. Everywhere on foot
14 Snowplanet
15 Waterskiing. Orakei basin, Auckland waterski club. 1-2 hours is plenty.
16 North shore costal walks. Long bay is a good one.
17 Golf, gives you a good 8 hours worth walking. P.s 18 holes, not mini putt 😉
18 Goat island, diving/swimming
19 Bikram yoga (yoga in heated, sauna temperature room). There is one located on Ponsonby road, also in Glenfield.
20 Pilates. Re-ab pilates on Ponsonby road is very professional, highly qualified teachers.
Jay’s Endurance Circuit Programme #1
- Start with a 10 minute jog to warm up followed by stretches.
Circuit instructions: All 10 exercises to be completed with no or little rest in between. Take 2-3 minute rest after 10 exercises are complete and repeat 3 times.
- X20 medi ball* squats
- X20 Step Lunges/walking lunges
- X20 Burpees with shoulder press
- X20 Step up on each leg
- x1 minute Back kicks* (as alternative to pistons)
- X20 Push ups
- X20 Hoop jumps*
- X20 Crunches*
- X1 minute high knees
- X40 Oblique crunches. (criss-cross)
Mediball* = Can use your weight at home or fill milk bottles with sand, the milk bottles can be used for the shoulder press part of burpees.
Back kicks* = The opposite to high knees at exactly the same tempo. Running on spot, heels flicking back touching bum. Concentrate on hamstrings pulling strong.
Hoop jumps* = Crouching down, jumping up with full power reaching arms over head as if you were shooting a basket, lower and bend knees to touch the floor, repeat.
Crunches* = Legs at 90 degree position, hands behind ears.
AUCKLAND ACTIVITIES / WHAT TO DO?
AIR ACTIVITIES
Parachuting
Hot air ballooning
Helicopter rides
SPORT ACTIVITIES
Aerobics
Gym
Boxing
Kickboxing
Squash
ADRENALIN FIRE ACTIVITIES
Bungy (AJ Hacket)
Bridge climb
Sky tower climb
Sky tower controlled descent
Vertical Bungy
WATER ACTIVITIES
Goat Island
Snorkeling
Scuba diving
Swimming
Sea spots (eg Long bay etc)
Kayaking
Kite surfing
Windsurfing (Mission bay rental)
Surfing (Piha, and also lessons – check with old flatmate)
Kelly Tarltons
Hot pools (Parakai,Waiwera)
EARTH ACTIVITIES
Tramping (Waitakeri)
River walk (Waitakeri ranges) to a waterfall
Camping
Walks and parks (Eg Chelsea and other places)
Mountain boarding
Mountain biking in redwood forest (Jeremy)
Roller blading (Mission bay)
Iceskating
Snowboarding and Skiing
OTHER
Museum
Art galleries
Howick Pioneer Village
Movies – Lido and other more obscure?
Comedy night (the classic)
Dancing (eg Ceroc or Hip Hop)
Motat
Zoo
Opera
Ballet
The Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra
Dinner out at nice healthy restaurant
| Title | Address | Cost | |
| Air rifle range | Towards Warkworth | $10 | |
| Baseball + Golf range | Towards Warkworth | $15 | |
| Minigolf | Mission bay | $15 | each |
| Windsurfing | Lake Pupuke | $30 | each |
| Paddleboarding | Little Shoal Bay | Free days | |
| Mission bay Park (Michael Joseph Savage) | Mission bay | Free | |
| Rollerblading | Mission bay | $20 | |
| Bike rental | Mission bay | $20 | |
| Kayaking | Mission bay | $40 | |
| Hotpools | Parakai | $11 | |
| Movie theatre | $30 | ||
| Bush walks | Kairi Point | Free | |
| Beach swimming | |||
| Maritime Museum | Downtown | Free | |
| Harbour sailing | $12 | ||
| Skycity | Central Auckland | $20 | |
| Massage | Wairau Park | $10-20 | |
| Visit family / nanna | Free | ||
| Rangitoto (bush walks!) | $20 | ||
| Waiheke Island | $20 | ||
| Camping near beach | Free | ||
| Coromandal Hot water beach | Petrol | ||
| Goat Island | Marine reserve | $15 | + petrol |
| Coffee in Parnell | Parnell | $4 | |
| Devonport Caves | Devonport | Free | |
| Rockclimbing | West Auckland | $15 | |
| Gym | $15 | ||
| Boxing circuit | Shane Cameron Gym | $15 | |
| Petshop visit | Free | ||
| Cheap flight (Jetstar from $19 to Christchurch) | Various | $19 | |
| Deal a day | Grab a random deal | ||
| Hot airballoon | $80 | ||
| Spookers | $30 | ||
| Fish and chips (and then eat on beach / mountain) | $15 | ||
| Fishing | Handline | $10 | |
| Kelly Tarltons | Mission bay | $40 | |
| Death by Chocolate | Mission bay | $20 | |
| Visit friends / BBQ / Invite for dinner | $20 | ||
| Ferry ride from shore to Devo / Auckland | $7 | ||
| Mairangi bay / Taka beach | Free | ||
| Library | Free | ||
| Zoo | Auckland | $20 | |
| MOTAT | Auckland | $20 | |
| Mall shopping / people watching | Free | ||
| Butterfly creek | South Auckland | $20 | |
| Rainbows end | South Auckland | $30 | |
| AirBnB (Stay at a random person’s house) | Various | $30-$70 | |
| Stardome observatory | One Tree Hill | $15 | |
| Ten Pin Bowling | Wairau Park | $15 | |
| Lazer Strike | $15 | ||
| Computer arcades | Skycity | $20 | |
| Coast to coast walkway (~16k) | Starts in Auckland can bus back | Free | |
| Art Gallery | Auckland central | Free | For residents |
| Ambery Park | South Auckland | Free | |
| Basketball | $10 | For a ball | |
| Foot racing at a running track | Birkenhead | Free | |
| Boxing circuit | |||
| Go for a curry | |||
| Go to award winning restaurants | (eg The Engine Room) Northcote Pt | $50 | |
| BOOT CAMP | COST | WEBSITE |
| Guerilla Fitness | $220 | http://guerrillafitnessbootcamp.com |
| Fitness Evolved | $250 | http://www.fitnessevolved.co.nz/ |
| Sixpax | $249 | http://sixpax.co.nz/fitness/who_are_we |
| FUNctional NZ Ltd | $160 | http://www.functional.co.nz/wawcs0131463/group_training.html |
| These are the places good for orienteering | ||
| -Totara Park | ||
| -Waiuku Forest | ||
| -Woodhill Forest | ||
| -Cricket Grandstand, The Auckland Domain | ||
| -Mt. Eden | ||
| -Ambury Regional Park | ||
| Auckland Orienteering Club | ||
| Wairarapa Orienteering Club | ||
| Top of the South Orienteering Club | ||
| Rotorua Orienteering CLub | ||
Fitness training and fun activities
Find 3 good personal trainers (ideally running coaching) in Auckland and include the prices
Personal Trainers:
| Name | Address | Phone | Web Site | |
| Bazyl Piotrowski | 021 715 001 | http://www.lookgoodnaked.co.nz | bazyl@lookgoodnaked.co.nz | |
| Carl Cairns Fitness | Takapuna North Shore Auckland |
(021) 722323 | http://www.myspace.com/carlcairns | |
| Norm Phillips (contact person at Les Mills) | 09 379 9550 extn 229 | http://www.lesmills.co.nz | norm.phillips@lesmills.co.nz |
Other Health & Fitness Gyms with personal trainers:
| Name | Address | Phone | Web Site | Price | |
| JustWorkout – Personal Health and Fitness Centres | 250 Forrest Hill Rd Forrest Hill Auckland | 09-410 0031 | http://www.justworkout.co.nz | ||
| Life Systems Ltd | 2//177 Jervois Rd Herne Bay Auckland | 09-376 4455 | http://www.lifesystems.co.nz/ | info@lifesystems.co.nz | $150 |
| The Body Place -Fitness & Nutrition Studio | 2/14 West StreetAuckland Central 1001 | 09-379 7560Fax: 09-379 7561Call Free:0800 FIT 888 | http://www.bodyofyours.com | info@bodyofyours.com | |
| Revitalize Fitness Centre
|
166A Harris Rd Pakuranga Auckland | 09-273 4470 | http://www.gym.net.nz/ | ||
| Corpo Bello Personal Training Studio | Studio 1 Ngaire Ave Epsom Auckland | 09-520 1319Mobile: 021 027 212 80 | http://www.corpobello.co.nz/ | personaltraining@corpobello.co.nz |
Sources:
http://www.trainerdirect.co.nz/region_northshore.html
http://www.finda.co.nz/business/ac/auckland/personal-trainers/
http://www.healthandsports.co.nz/trainers.php
http://yellow.co.nz/search.ds?what=Personal+Trainers&where=New+Zealand&newSearch=true
Find out the times that Glenfield Leisure Centre has boxing classes (if you can)
http://www.northshorecity.govt.nz/Northshoreleisure/glenfield/boxing_classes.asp
Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Thursday, 6 a.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.
Find out and list other Auckland boxing training gyms
| Name | Address | Phone | Web Site | |
| Maritime Boxing Gym | 68 Anzac Avenue, Auckland, New Zealand | Ph: 64.9.8371472 or Mobile:021-2622279 | probox@ihug.co.nz | |
| Shamrock Boxing Gym | 127d Pilkington Rd, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand | Ph: 09 5709571, Fax: 09 5270171 | info@shamrockboxing.co.nz | www.shamrockboxing.co.nz |
| Santos Boxing Gym | Cnr Kolmar and Georges Road, Papatoetoe, Manukau | (0274) 354 126 | ||
| City Boxing | Level 4 Quay Building 106 – 108 Quay Street Auckland City |
(09) 377 6133Mobile (Cameron Todd) – 021 312 020 | cityboxing@xtra.co.nz | http://www.cityboxing.co.nz/ |
| Northside Boxing Gym | 45 Woodside Ave Northcote North Shore Auckland |
Ph: 480-2456 Peter | peter@boxing.net.nz | http://www.boxing.net.nz/ |
| Manly Boxing Gym | 588 Whangaparaoa Road, Auckland 1463 | Phone: (09) 424-0141 Fax: (09) 424-0141Mr Brett Farquharson, Manager 027-289-8161 |
||
| Zone Boxing – Glenfield | 10a Hillside Rd –Monty | 021-2161908 |
Find if there is anywhere to learn Parkour (also called Parkor or Free running) in Auckland or the North Island (probably the hardest to find, but the one I am most interested in)
http://www.bebo.com/AucklandFree-Runners
| Name | Members | Contact Info | Web Site |
| The Hawks Parkour Team | -Ethan Scarlett -Discipline – Parkour and Free-running -Sponsors – Playle, Rebel Sport (TBC) – Navid Aminian -Discipline – Parkour and Free-Running -Ryan Satyabrata -Disicpline – Parkour and Free-running -Patryk Puziak -Discipline – Parkour -Dawid Kudzia -Discipline – Parkour |
hawksparkour@hotmail.com | http://www.bebo.com/hawksparkourwww.hawksparkour.tk |
| Kings Of Roofs FR-PK Team | # Matt Quinlan # Daman Saini # Flame Ruwhiu # Kevin Manchester |
www.bebo.com/korstillfree | |
| B.A.M Parkour | B=BenA= AveleM=Mitch | www.bebo.com/bamparkour | |
| WPK | Todd ColumbJoel LesterMax Arrowsmith
Frankie Lewis |
Todd: toddler14@hotmail.comJoel: ss_joey@hotmail.com Max: findmeasleep@hotmail.com | http://www.wpk-nz.tkwww.bebo.com/wparkourk |
| KENDO | |||
| Rembuden Kendo Club | Tuesday: 8.00pm-9.00pm – Basic Training 1 | Gerard Egerton ph. (04) 381 1265 (Work) | |
| Tuesday: 9.00-10.00pm – Senior Training 1 | Gerard.Egerton@Meridianenergy.co.nz | ||
| Thursday: 8.30-9.30pm – Basic Training 2 | |||
| Thursday: 9.30-10.00pm – Senior Training 2 | Motokiyo Tsukamoto ph. (04) 382 8830 (Home) | ||
| Saturday: 11.00-1.00pm – Senior Training | Tsukammoto@scs.vuw.ac.nz | ||
| Sachiyo Lee ph. (04) 499 6678 (Home) | |||
| Sachiyou@Hotmail.com | |||
| Martin Lee ph. (04) 499 6678 (Home) | |||
|
|||
| Waikato Kendo Club | Thursday 6pm-730 pm Beginner class | Sam/Marleen at 07-8561488 | |
| Tuesday 6:00-7:30pm intermediate class | |||
| 7:40-9pm Advanced class | |||
| Saturdays 3-4:30pm Intermediate | |||
| 4:40-6pm Advanced class | |||
| Christchurch Kendo Club | Saturdays 10am-12 noon | Blake Bennett 03-3859-223 | |
| kendobum@hotmail.com | |||
| Auckland Kendo Club | Monday | Graham Sayer 021 274 2415 email graham@saycoholdings.com | |
| 5pm~6.15pm Kids Kendo (7years ~12 years) | Ken Wells 021 924 972 email kawells@clear.net.nz | ||
| 6.30pm~7.30pm Kendo beginners | |||
| 7.30pm~9pm Kendo seniors | |||
| Wednesday | |||
| 6.30pm~7.30pm Kendo beginners | |||
| 7.30pm~9pm Kendo seniors | |||
| Thursday | |||
| 6.30pm~7.30pm Iaido | |||
| 7.30pm~9pm Jodo | |||
| Friday | |||
| 6.30am ~7.45am Kendo(any level) | |||
| FENCING | |||
| Auckland University Fencing | Monday nights from 7-8.30 pm | Simon O’Connor | |
| simon.o@clear.net.nz | |||
| Ph:+64274655874 | |||
| The New Zealand Academy of Fencing | tuesday and wednesday 6.00pm to 9.00pm |
|
|
| Sunday 3.00pm to 6.00pm | b.j.more@nzaf.com | ||
| Wednesdays footwork and fitness from 6.00pm | Ph:021 ACADEMY (222 33 69) | ||
| Salle Jean Louis | Tues 7pm – 10pmThurs 7pm – 10pm | Andrew Imms | |
| sword@xtra.co.nz | |||
| Ph:tba | |||
| Diocesan Fencing | elite session Monday 3:30pm – 5:30pm, | Irene Cheung | |
| Wednesday Club session 3:30pm – 5:00pm. | 10446@diocesan.school.nz | ||
| Ph: | |||
| Auckland Swords | Tuesdays 6.45pm – 9.15pm | Gaylene Ongley | |
| Thursdays 7pm-9pm | alex-gaylene@xtra.co.nz | ||
|
|||
| (09) 276 8240 | |||
| Fax(09)276 8249 | |||
| KeriKeri Fencing Club | Thursday 7.00 – 9.00pm | Donna and Vanessa | |
| shop_girl30@hotmail.com | |||
|
|||
| 09 4059250 | |||
| Mob: | |||
| 021 2468 025 | |||
| Waikato Swords Club | Mondays, 7-9pm | Mike Angelo | |
| hamilton@pta.co.nz | |||
|
|||
| 07 – 855 9134 | |||
| Tauranga Boys’ College Fencing Club | Tuesday 12.55 – 1.30 Thursday 1.15 – 1.50 | (Mr) René Sjardin | |
| r.sjardin@tbc.school.nz | |||
| Ph: | |||
|
|||
| Whangarei Swords Club | Tuesday evening 7pm – 8.30pm | David Moss | |
| david@rosemanandwarren.co.nz | |||
|
|||
| 09 4350046 | |||
| MEDIEVAL JOUSTING | |||
| Order of the Boar | callum@jousting.co.nz |
| AIR ACTIVITIES | TIME | COST | TIME OF DAY | WEBSITE |
| Soaring or learning how to fly | 20 minute Trial Flight | $150 | DAY | http://www.soaring.smits.co.nz/default.htm |
| 45 minute Soaring Flight | $200 | |||
| Mile High Aerobatic Flight | $250 | |||
| Cross Country and Ridge Soaring | $500 | |||
| Skidiving | 12,000 ft, $295 | DAY | http://www.parakaiairfield.co.nz/skydiving.htm | |
| 7500 ft $250 | ||||
| Hot air ballooning | 1 hour | $300 | Day | http://www.balloonexpeditions.co.nz/aucklandhotairballooning.htm |
| Helicopter Riding | 20 mins | $349 | Day | http://www.freemanx.co.nz/experiences_detail.cfm?prodid=256 |
| Sky tower observation deck | $13.50 | Day and Night | http://www.planetware.com/auckland/sky-tower-nz-au-ast.htm | |
| WATER ACTIVITIES | ||||
| Sea Kayaking | Courses run over a weekend – $295 | http://www.canoeandkayak.co.nz/ | ||
| Sea Kayaking (Tour) | halfday | $95 | ||
| Surfing (1 day tour) | 7 hours | $99 | http://www.newzealandsurftours.com/new-zealand-surf-tour.html | |
| Surfing (5 day tour) | $699 | |||
| Surf Schools (Beginners)1 Day Surf school | 7 hours if west 9 hours if east | $99 if you have your own gear | ||
| Surf Schools (Beginners)2 Day Surf School | 7 hours if west 9 hours if east | $140 if you have your own gear | ||
| Kayaking | 3 hours | $55 | Half Day | http://www.bigfootadventures.co.nz |
| Sailing | 45-50 minutes | $45 | http://www.prideofauckland.com/ | |
| Dolphin & Whale Safari | $140 | |||
| ADRENALIN ACTIVITIES | ||||
| Bungy Jumping | 1.5 hours | $82.72 | Day | http://www.viator.com/tours/Auckland/Auckland-Bridge-Bungy-Jump/d391-2454AKL_BUNGY |
| Canyoning Piha | $135 | http://www.awoladventures.co.nz/ | ||
| Bridge Climb | Varies | $82.72 | Day | http://www.viator.com/tours/Auckland/Auckland-Bridge-Climb/d391-2454AKL_CLIMB?pref=02&aid=g2497 |
| Abseiling | Halfday | $85 | http://www.aucklandadventures.co.nz/rapj_abs_clmb.shtml | |
| Whole day | $125 | Day | ||
| EARTH ACTIVITIES | ||||
| Mountain Biking | 3-4 hours | $70 | Half Day | http://www.bigfootadventures.co.nz |
| $250 | Weekend Trips | |||
| Rock Climbing | 3 hours | $60 | Half Day | |
| Caving | 8 hours | $85 | Day trips | |
| Wilderness Adventure | half or whole day | $99 | http://www.aucklandadventures.co.nz/ | |
| Tramping | 7 hours | $185 | http://www.bushandbeach.co.nz/tours.htm | |
| Paintball | 5-8 minutes | $40 | Day | http://www.actionspaintball.com/ |
| Skiing | $150 | http://www.aucklandadventures.co.nz/ski.shtml | ||
| Waiheke Island car rentals | 2 hours | $18 hourly | http://www.waihekerentals.co.nz/rental_vehicles.htm | |
| (depends on the car you want to rent) | $55 daily | |||
| Ice skating | $11 | http://www.paradice.co.nz/figure-skating/figure-skating/ |