East Auckland accommodation from AU$140

Just 20 minutes south-east of the CBD you’ll find Manukau, home to a multicultural community and New Zealand’s largest natural harbour. One of the best ways to check out the amazing ocean views is with a day trip to the Awhitu Peninsula. You can visit striking cliff tops and long stretches of black sand beach, and even go inside the Manukau Heads Lighthouse to see the peaceful stretch of ocean from the old lighthouse keeper’s balcony. Back in town, there are stacks of other things to do in Manukau. Visit Otara Market, NZ’s largest market, on Saturday mornings to grab some fresh local food, clothing or gifts, or some Maori and Samoan art and crafts. Keen for some thrills? Pay a visit to Rainbow’s End, a theme park with costume characters and fast rides like the Corkscrew Coaster.

Howick has a seven acre historical village where you can step back in time to the 1840s to 1880s period and see over 30 colonial buildings, including a church and general store. Learn about the past from the costumed staff and then visit the cafe for some home-cooked meals. Howick also has a golf club, Saturday markets and plenty of street cafes.

Stay in Whitford if you want to discover the Pohutukawa Coast, where you can take a swim or picnic on the grass at Maretai Beach, or visit spectacular green Omana Regional Park for stunning Hauraki Gulf views.

Consider yourself a nature buff? Don’t leave Auckland without visiting the islands of Hauraki Gulf. Waiheke Island, also known as ‘Wine Island’, is the perfect island getaway with lots of wineries to visit, swimming on the Oneroa and Little Oneroa beaches, and World War II tunnels at Stony Batter Historical Reserve.

If you’ve got the time, all of Auckland is worth checking out, not just the busy CBD. And we’ve got hotels all around Auckland to help you see it all! So why not check out East Auckland? The beautiful harbour of Manukau, the green oasis of Omana Regional Park and all that wine on Waiheke Island awaits you! So dare to be different and book your East Auckland accommodation with us. Then all you need are some cheap flights to Auckland and you’re all set to explore Australia’s closest neighbour: New Zealand!