Enjoy the best of the winter season in Mission Bay! From stunning sunrise and sunset views to delicious seasonal flavours and beach-side drinks, there’s something special about this cooler time of year in our favourite corner of Auckland City!
1. Start the day with coffee and brunch
This is one of our favourite Mission Bay rituals! From Mission Bay Café to Tana Mera Espresso to Starbucks it’s hard to pick a favourite for coffee and delicious snacks, so why not try them all! Whether you want to dine in or take your coffee on your morning walk, we have something to suit every coffee lover!
2. Enjoy a workout with a view
Mission Bay is a fitness-lover’s paradise and just because the days are getting cooler, it doesn’t mean you can’t stay active! Enjoy running, cycling or skating alongside the beach, or swimming in the ocean if you don’t mind a chilly dip! The fitness park and playground at Selwyn Reserve also provide a variety of options to get your heart pumping!
3. Keep the kids entertained and happy
With the school holidays coming up, we have loads of fun ways to keep a big smile on the faces of kids of all ages. Work up an appetite on the playground at Selwyn Reserve or at the beach, then enjoy a fun family meal at Dos Amigos or Bald Eagle Diner. You could even make it an educational day trip by adding a visit to SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s!
4. Bring the four-legged family members for a day out too
We love dogs – big, small, furry or fluffy, they are all welcome at Mission Bay, even upstairs on the deck at Good George Tap Room Mission Bay! You’ll find dog bowls everywhere and sometimes even treats! Winter hours are back in effect so they are allowed off-leash at the beach again between 4pm-10am and on-leash at all other times.
5. Fish and chips for lunch by the beach the fancy way
There’s no doubt about it, we love our beach, but sometimes we just want to enjoy our fish and chips without the seagulls. Head to De Fontein Belgian Beer Cafe for a delicious serving of fresh beer-battered fish and chips for lunch. You can even take it up a level on the seafood stakes and try their amazing steamed mussel pots – so tasty!
6. Visit one of Auckland’s oldest (and coolest) cinemas
The Berkeley Cinema is one of the oldest theatres in Auckland. They have some great movies coming up including Fast and Furious 9 with Vin Diesel, Charlize Theron as well as The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard with Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. Join their VIP club for $15 per year and save 25% on movie tickets!
7. Get crafty and enjoy a refreshing taste of NZ
Good George Tap Room Mission Bay is the spot to visit for specialty craft beers, cider and their range of small-batch crafted spirits including their latest edition, the Neat Espresso Martini! Perfect for a cocktail enjoyed on their deck on a cool evening next to the cosy fireplace.
8. Check out our historic sites
NZ’s first ever flying school was established in Mission Bay in 1915 and they have the sculpture to prove it! The historic Mission House stands at the site of the late 1840s Melanesia Mission which gives Mission Bay its name. Then head up to Bastion Point via the walkway from Tamaki Drive and find your zen at the Savage Memorial Park while enjoying some of the best views in Auckland.
9. Take your tastebuds on an overseas holiday
While international travel isn’t on the cards for a while, there are flavours from around the world at Mission Bay! Try divine Italian dishes at Lupino and Portofino, tasty Mexican favourites at Dos Amigos, Belgian favourites at De Fontein, Mediterranean cuisine at Bodrum or delicious, spicy Indian dishes upstairs at Tarka.
10. Skip the main and go straight to dessert
Now that we don’t need to worry about the beach bod for a few months, it’s time to indulge! Mission Bay has some of the sweetest treats in Auckland to celebrate with. Between Mõvenpick, Gelato New Zealand, KiwiYo and so many more options, there’s something sweet for everybody and you don’t have to stop at one!
