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| Auckland offers a spectacular backdrop when the sun sets |
Popular with
locals and tourists, Auckland provides the perfect setting for some cultural
festivals, along with some addictive hobbies, and the right blend of tradition
and modernity.
There is no
extreme weather climate, and as New Zealand is located in the
Southern Hemisphere, it experiences opposites in weather to what is seen in the
Northern Hemisphere.
This means
that summer is at the start of the year, and winter arrives in July/August
time, a period where it is meant to be warmer in the north.
January
The Southern
Hemisphere is in the midst of its summer during the month of January, and
Auckland in New Zealand is no exception. With breathtakingly
beautiful scenery, loads of fun-packed activities to keep people busy and
appealing weather, Auckland is a great place for a
memorable holiday. Sunshine is prevalent in Auckland
during this time of year, and 14 hours of daylight can be expected. Temperatures
normally hover around 22 degrees Celsius, a couple of degrees above the usual January average. The weather is warm and sunny, while
the sea water temperature sits at 32 Fahrenheit, as it does all
year. So, it means that the temperature is very ideal for a gentle soak, rather
than an endurance swim.
Accommodation
wise, one of the best places to stay at all-year round is the Hotel
DeBrett. This hotel is right in the heart of the city
centre. Style and class are the two main aims of this carefree environment. It
is the perfect location to be near the wide choice of delicious restaurants and
bars of Viaduct Harbour, and is surrounded by theatres and art galleries. Also,
there is nearby facilities for swimming, sailing, tennis and golf. A good
alternative choice would be the SKYCITY
Hotel for those who
prefer sticking to a budget. This accommodation offers plenty of space, and is
seriously good value for money.
Always
bustling with events, Auckland is no exception in January. Top of the bill is
the Auckland Seafood Festival in Halsey Wharf. Whether this event
is for a regular visitor or a newcomer, the Auckland Anniversary Weekend becomes even tastier after this
experience. This festival is the ultimate party when it comes to seafood, a
popular pastime in New Zealand. It won’t just be the food, with a wide
selection of entertainers performing, plus the chance to enjoy local beers and
wines.
February
The weather
climate in February is fairly stable in Auckland in comparison to January. In
fact, visitors to this destination will be more likely to experience an extra
hour of sunshine than they would in January, and two less days of rainfall. The
average temperature in the month is once again 20 degrees Celsius, the
same average as January’s temperature. Humidity in the area is at 75 per cent for the month. The
nights are mild, and it is this time of year where the love of water
sports, a favourite hobby with many locals really shines through.
What Auckland
doesn’t lack is the vast amount of accommodation destinations available to the
visitors of the country. Each hotel varies in facilities and star quality, to
hotel cost and customer service. For those who want to stay in the area, and
not have to pay astronomical prices, one suggestion is the Nomads Auckland on Fort Street. The Nomads Auckland
is a historic building which embraces style and is an easy place to relax for
travellers. The atmosphere is friendly within the hostel, and it is located
closely to both the main train station and the Viaduct Harbour, meaning getting
around to different places is easy. With average prices starting at £35 a night, this is one of the best around
should you be looking for cheap, but fantastic accommodation.
The main
event in February to experience is the Auckland Lantern Festival, which takes place in Albert Park
across the final Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the month. It is a weekend for
all the family which sees China invade New Zealand for three days. Auckland’s
14th annual Lantern Festival sees the locals be entertained by
classical music groups, amazing lantern decorations and some Shanghai
acrobatics. 2013 is the Chinese New Year of the
Snake, and any excuse
for a party is well worth it for this occasion.
March
March sees
summer end in New Zealand and autumn begin. The average temperature drops a degree from February, to 19
degrees Celsius in March. The start of a new season means the amount of average rainfall increases in Auckland. Two extra days
of rain is the average in March, and the amount of rainfall increases to 40mm.
Despite the slender drop in temperature, there is still plenty of sunshine, and
the cooler environment does lead to some magnificent scenery as the leaves begin to change colour
on the trees.
A good choice
of accommodation in March would be the City
Towers resort in
Central Auckland. With generally excellent reviews from previous visitors, this
apartment complex offers 33 rooms, some with newly refurbished studio
and garden apartments. A friendly staff within the complex will make sure that
any issue will be solved. It really does feel like a place away from home.
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| The stars of world speedway will visit in March |
April
April sees a
climate in Auckland that is static to what March produces. Although the country
is still in autumn, daily sunshine hours are higher at this time of the year
than what they would be in the summer months of January and February. With an
average of nine hours per day, this means that it is still a beautiful time of
year to swim, especially with the consistency of the sea temperatures. Despite the increased sunshine
tourists will likely experience in April, the spread of average rainfall increases to 15 days a month. New Zealand’s
general precipitation is actually relatively high, with
between 640mm to 1500mm evenly spread throughout a calendar year.
April’s
choice of accommodation will put tourists near the tranquil harbour setting on
Quay Street. The Copthorne Hotel is right on the waterfront and offers
one of the best views you can get of the harbour. All rooms offer broadband
internet for those who can’t stay away from social media while on a deserved
break and a wide choice of drink, from tea and coffee making facilities to the
tempting mini bar. The Copthorne Hotel offers easy access into the shopping
district, while The Tactics Bar inside the venue is one of the best
to get together before sampling the enthusiasm of a great Auckland night out.
This is the place to stay if landscape and setting are near the top of your
list when thinking about accommodation preferences.
On the
entertainment front, it is music concerts that lead the April highlights. The
legendary Bryan Adams returns to New Zealand for two
special music performances, and one of them will be in Auckland. Adams has sold
over 65 million records in the past 15 years, and is one of the most
established names in the music business. This will be his first performance in
New Zealand in 15 years, as he will perform his highly praised ‘Bare Bones’
acoustic tour. If Bryan Adams can’t get people excited, Black
Sabbath surely must.
One of heavy metal’s most famous bands will be performing their first New
Zealand show in nearly 40 years, including Ozzy Osbourne – Mr. Prince of
Darkness. To complete a real nostalgic feel to the month, the ‘Shutter’
exhibition finishes in April – so don’t miss the chance to go through a history
of iconic cameras. See where photography started from the very beginning to
today’s digital age at the Museum of Transport & Technology.
May
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| Sunshine is a predominant nature of the annual climate in Auckland |
One of the
smaller accommodation venues is Mollies, but that doesn’t mean to say that
this is a bad thing. It might only hold 13 rooms, but is highly recommended for
romantic couples who want to get away from it all to Auckland. Within this
venue is a breakfast service which is second to none, and some interesting and
creative artist work.
In comparison
to some other months in 2013, May’s entertainment is quieter despite a range of
classes that actually take place throughout the year. One of the main
highlights is the Auckland Writers & Readers
Festival at the Aotea
Centre. The festival will welcome over 100 international and local writers in a variation of lectures and group
discussions, and is an event not to be missed by literature lovers and fiction
book anoraks.
June
As the world
enters the halfway mark of an annual year, New Zealanders get prepared for
their winter which provides a mixture of glorious sunshine, along with some
heavy rain showers. The average temperature in June drops to 12 degrees Celsius,
two degrees lower than what it is likely to be in May. The lowest average temperature in May falls below double figures to
nine degrees Celsius. With Auckland in the north of the country, more rainfall is expected throughout
the winter months, due to its geographical location. However, the average rainfall in June of 50mm is exactly the same
as it is in May.
New Zealand
and Auckland itself is a popular location for backpackers, and one of the best
places to stay for this type of person is the eco-friendly City
Lodge Accommodation which
is walking distance from
the main City Hall. Built as recently as 2005, this hostel will provide the
room basics, such as high-speed internet access and refrigerators, but is one
of the best accommodation venues for value, and keep visitors right at the
heart of the city.
One of June’s
leading events takes place at Queen Street. The Auckland Theatre Company looks
more into the life and legacy of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn.
This isn’t just a celebration of her life, but also a shrewd look into her
ideas during the Tudor days. Historical lovers must see this, while the more
creative individuals should check out The
Auckland Art & Craft Fair,
which takes place again this year – three years after a show-stopping debut.
July
The average amount of rainfall in Auckland increases to 60mm during
the month of July, which is the wettest month of an annual year. Despite the
added rainfall, sunshine hours remain at an average of 10 hours per
day. The winter months in New Zealand can bring snow to the
areas, although this is more restricted to the mountainous areas rather than
further inland. Sea temperatures remain at the same during the year,
although the time for regular swimming has disappeared by now.
Those who
need to experience a holiday whilst sticking to a tight budget should consider
staying at the Quality Hotel Parnell. This hotel is a basic, but nice
atmosphere for the family to stay in, while enjoying everything what Auckland
has to offer, and is a short walk to the Parnell district, which is full of shops and
restaurants.
July’s main
event is the 2013 UCI BMX World Championships. This event is the finale of the
world championship season, and is a non-stop spectacle of belting action and
inevitably, some dramatic crashes. The world’s best BMX riders will be in attendance for
the first time in New Zealand. A popular Olympic event, you could see some of
the stars to look out for at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
August
July is on
average, the coldest month of the year and the time when the most rainfall
occurs. By the time August comes round, the winter season is coming to an end. Therefore,
it is the perfect time for keen recreational addicts to take
to the mountains and experience the thrill of skiing. For those who prefer a
lovely landscape, scenic beauty is at its finest in winter, with mountains and
glaciers covered in snow making the area a picturesque dream. As far as weather is concerned in Auckland, the highest average temperature increases by one degree to 15 degrees
Celsius, and the amount of average sunlight reaches 11 hours.
If going away
means you want to appreciate true modernity, staying at the Auckland Takapuna Oaks is close enough to total bliss. This
new five-star location features some world class views of the captivating
Auckland waterfront, alongside furnished balconies and even docks for I-Pods.
97 per cent of guests recommend staying here on Expedia, and it is hard not to disagree with
them, when complimentary benefits include ferry tickets and continental
breakfasts. There are plenty of great benefits to staying at this accommodation
choice.
August begins
with New Zealand’s national food and wine event, The
Food Show. As well as
visiting Wellington and Christchurch, The Food Show stops off in Auckland,
providing a mixture of cracking chefs showing off their culinary skills, and
promotion of a degree of the latest gadgets that can be used in the kitchen.
Plus everyone can come to try out a mammoth range of delicious international
and local foods, smooth and rich coffees, and wines that have the flavour and
thirsting quench.
September
Springtime arrives in Auckland in September, and
not only does it see the signs of green leaves and flowers growing in the
countryside, it sees the climate start to pick up. However, New Zealand’s
general spring weather still can attract the opposite ends of the spectrum. For
example, it can be cold and frosty on one day, to being sunny and hot the very
next. While the temperatures only gradually start to pick up, the amount of sunshine expected in a normal day increases to
an impressive 11 hours, and the rainfall average drops down from 50mm to 40mm.
On Hobson
Street is the Heritage Auckland hotel which offers a carefree
approach towards life. It isn’t as modernised as some hotels within the vicinity, but the quality
artwork on the walls makes up for that, and with room service, a swimming pool
and good money value thrown in; this place does offer a chilled approach
towards any kind of holiday.
Top dog in
September’s event highlights in Auckland is the Auckland
Pet & Animal Expo.
Held at a new venue of the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane, the promise is for the
2013 extravaganza to be even “bigger and better.” In attendance will be
hundreds of pet products, alongside attractions and demonstrations that will
grab the attention for everyone. This is the main attraction for those crazy
about animals, but the visiting public are not allowed to bring their own pets.
October
October sees a warmer and more settled
climate for the Auckland region, with consistent sunshine levels and
temperatures beginning to return to the height they would be in the Kiwi
summer. Average temperature in October in Auckland is approximately 15 degrees
Celsius or 58 degrees Fahrenheit. On sunny days, the temperature could reach 17
or 18 degrees. Those who are into their white water rafting, October is the
right time to visit the bustling harbour and peaceful lakes. The snow melts frequently and this makes river water
levels spectacularly and thrillingly high. Average humidity is still at 80 per cent, only five
per cent lower than the highest levels during the year.
Auckland
offers a brilliant range of accommodation which caters for all kinds of
traveller. Another popular choice is the Stadium Waldorf Apartments Hotel. A hotel near the Auckland
waterfront, this stay could be the one for those who like to train, with a
swimming pool and an indoor fitness centre. This is another location that is
walking distance to many restaurants and supermarkets in the area, and offers
all-day comfort and a modernised feel to all tourists.
In October,
the legendary classical artist Andre Rieu is returning Down Under, and he will
be performing in Auckland on 25 October. His 2011 tour was ranked by Billboard
as the ninth highest grossing tour of that year, just behind the more
recognised Lady Gaga. On a global scale, Rieu and his impressively tuned
60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra have received 330 platinum awards and sold over
32 million albums. These figures definitely show that people find him an easy
artist to listen to. Auckland visitors can get the chance to enjoy a comforting
and peaceful evening at the opera. For those who prefer to head to Auckland to
conduct business, check out the Business
Opportunities and Franchise Expo.
Having served the community for 18 years, this is an important expo for the
business industry, and those visiting can get sound and insightful advice on investing,
especially in an economic crisis that doesn’t seem to be getting any easier for
the majority of us.
November
If you like
your sunshine for a holiday break, make Auckland your destination to visit in
November. On hot days, the amount of sunshine will be 11 hours on average, and
often will be more than that. The average temperatures still hover around the 16 degrees
Celsius mark, but higher temperatures would be expected at the end of spring in
Auckland. With the settled sea temperature levels during the year, November is
the month where the swimmers return for their leisurely or sometimes,
competitive swims.
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| There is plenty of luxury in terms of Auckland accommodation |
The Auckland Highland Games always offer a sense of atmosphere, on
a day where Scotland is the main theme of the day. This one-day event at the
Three Kings Reserve will have a wide choice of food stalls, clothing and
jewellery – combined with Highland sports and games, drummers and of course,
kilts. This is the perfect day for any Scot to be here. You don’t need to Visit
Scotland, Visit the Auckland Highland Games instead!
December
While most
families will prefer staying at home for Christmas in the UK, others prefer to
get away to hotter destinations for the festive season. December marks the
start of the Southern Hemisphere summer season, so if New Zealand is the preferred
destination for an individual or family, scorching temperatures and sunshine
are almost certain to be a guarantee. The beaches get packed with swimmers,
water sport lovers and those who just want to get a decent proper tan. In Auckland, high temperatures are likely to peak
at 21 degrees Celsius, while the amount of rainfall is reduced to 30mm a month – a small
figure when New Zealand’s precipitation figures are considered.
At Christmas
time, the majority of us like to enjoy the traditional food cravings of turkey
and roast potatoes. If that’s the case, you will be spoilt for choice at The Langham, which is within 1km of Albert Park
and the University of Auckland. There are four types of room available, along
with a day spa, and a food menu to really get you hungry. The Eight Restaurant
offers eight international kitchens, and the chance to sample many worldwide cuisines, from Japanese and Chinese, to Indian
and French.
While in
Auckland, make sure to get out on the water. There are activities aplenty in
the summer months, from peaceful harbour cruises to those who prefer the
adrenaline buzz of the Auckland Adventure Jet on the popular Waitemata Harbour. If
two wheels is your preferred method of travel, then hire a bike for a day, and take a pleasurable ride along
the glorious waterfront, or head for the bustling Waiheke region. Also while in
town, enjoy a variety of quality music at the welcomed Acoustic Song & Music session. Held every Monday at the Thirsty Dog
and with free admission for all ages, everyone is welcomed to come and listen
or even play songs from all kinds of genres. While it is summer weather in this
region, it is Christmas time too in Auckland.
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