Guidebook for Schnapper Rock
Food Scene
Little & Friday — Belmont
232 Ponsonby RoadAn unbelievable selection of beautiful food.
A reasonably priced bar / restaurant at the Albany Mall. Enjoy a snack and a wine before the movies, or a meal after.
11 locals recommend
The Merchant Bar and Kitchen
219 Don McKinnon DrA reasonably priced bar / restaurant at the Albany Mall. Enjoy a snack and a wine before the movies, or a meal after.
Constellation Cafe
61 Constellation DriveHas always been a favourite and is close to home.
Sightseeing
Visit the wild west coast beaches with black sand. Amazing on a beautiful day and wild on a stormy day. Visit the Gannet Colony while here (Sept-March). Swimming between the flags, can be a dangerous beach. A great selection of walks.
89 locals recommend
Muriwai Beach
458 Motutara RdVisit the wild west coast beaches with black sand. Amazing on a beautiful day and wild on a stormy day. Visit the Gannet Colony while here (Sept-March). Swimming between the flags, can be a dangerous beach. A great selection of walks.
Fantastic views of Auckland, with some lovely walking tracks through a working sheep farm.
279 locals recommend
One Tree Hill
670 Manukau RdFantastic views of Auckland, with some lovely walking tracks through a working sheep farm.
Essentials
15 mins from our house - huge supermarket with everything you need, including beer and wine
34 locals recommend
PAK'nSAVE Albany
Don McKinnon Drive15 mins from our house - huge supermarket with everything you need, including beer and wine
Drinks & Nightlife
ASB North Wharf
12 Jellicoe StWonderful atmosphere overlooking the harbour and a variety of great eateries.
A good choice of bars, restaurants and cafes in Takapuna. Close to the beach.
101 locals recommend
Takapuna
A good choice of bars, restaurants and cafes in Takapuna. Close to the beach.
Kumeu
A fabulous choice of local wineries.
Fabulous historic pub ... cruise up the Harbour or we can drop you / join you for dinner.
11 locals recommend
Riverhead
Fabulous historic pub ... cruise up the Harbour or we can drop you / join you for dinner.
Ongoing popularity seems assured for Little Creatures’ microbrewery with its waterfront location and epic venue. The brewery is housed in the truly mega-sized Sunderland Hangar, which was built in 1939 as home to the giant Short Sunderland flying boats. Visitors are surrounded by tanks, brewers working their magic and the aroma of beer brewing. At the centre of the action, the dining hall serves woodfired pizza and sharing plates with your beer. Under the same gargantuan roof, Salty’s offers gourmet fish and chips and Kittyhawk is an upmarket Italian eatery – open all day, as is the European way. There’s also a coffee roastery (beer chaser or precursor?) and a play area for the kids.
14 locals recommend
Little Creatures Brewing
2 Boundary RdOngoing popularity seems assured for Little Creatures’ microbrewery with its waterfront location and epic venue. The brewery is housed in the truly mega-sized Sunderland Hangar, which was built in 1939 as home to the giant Short Sunderland flying boats. Visitors are surrounded by tanks, brewers working their magic and the aroma of beer brewing. At the centre of the action, the dining hall serves woodfired pizza and sharing plates with your beer. Under the same gargantuan roof, Salty’s offers gourmet fish and chips and Kittyhawk is an upmarket Italian eatery – open all day, as is the European way. There’s also a coffee roastery (beer chaser or precursor?) and a play area for the kids.
Parks & Nature
Piha is another favourite wild west coast beach. Lion Rock is the iconic 'rock' which can be climbed, but is not for the faint hearted. Wonderful walks through bush and along the beach. Swimming between the flags, as can be a dangerous beach with rip.
229 locals recommend
Piha
Piha is another favourite wild west coast beach. Lion Rock is the iconic 'rock' which can be climbed, but is not for the faint hearted. Wonderful walks through bush and along the beach. Swimming between the flags, as can be a dangerous beach with rip.
Tiritiri is a fantastic wildlife sanctuary, with walks to suit everyone. The bird life is amazing. A perfect day out.
122 locals recommend
Tiritiri Matangi Island
Tiritiri is a fantastic wildlife sanctuary, with walks to suit everyone. The bird life is amazing. A perfect day out.
Walk to the top of Rangitoto, a dormant Volcano, with spectacular 360 views. Catch the ferry from Auckland City and spend the day exploring the island.
280 locals recommend
Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve
Walk to the top of Rangitoto, a dormant Volcano, with spectacular 360 views. Catch the ferry from Auckland City and spend the day exploring the island.
Muriwai
Entertainment & Activities
View Auckland from the top of the Harbour Bridge - 360 views, out to both the east and west coasts.
28 locals recommend
Auckland Bridge Climb
View Auckland from the top of the Harbour Bridge - 360 views, out to both the east and west coasts.
A wonderful zoo, with beautiful enclosures. An all time favourite place of ours to visit.
382 locals recommend
Auckland Zoo
A wonderful zoo, with beautiful enclosures. An all time favourite place of ours to visit.
Touch a starfish in the interactive pool, or be mesmerised by the sharks and stingrays!
228 locals recommend
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
23 Tamaki Dr Touch a starfish in the interactive pool, or be mesmerised by the sharks and stingrays!
Arts & Culture
Allow a few hours to wander around the Museum, it is full of wonderful treasures and always has changing exhibitions,
787 locals recommend
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Allow a few hours to wander around the Museum, it is full of wonderful treasures and always has changing exhibitions,
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki
Wellesley Street EastSculptureum
40 Omaha Flats RdAn incredible collection of art and sculpture.