Top 10 things to do in Auckland when you attend the IALC 2020 Auckland Workshop

Written by Rosie Baker 23 September 2019

Top 10 things to do in Auckland when you attend the IALC 2020 Auckland Workshop

Our IALC Workshop is the best way to meet and establish partnerships with a fantastic range of owners and directors from over 160 fully accredited IALC language centres. This is an unmissable opportunity to join the IALC family from 26 - 29 March 2020. Learn more

IALC 2020 Auckland Workshop host, Darren Conway from Languages International has picked out his top 10 things to do in Auckland before or after the workshop!

1. Rangitoto Island – Auckland’s youngest and largest volcano

Situated about 8 km northeast of Auckland, you can travel to Rangitoto Island by kayak or via a 25-minute cruise. Rangitoto erupted from the sea approximately 600 years ago in a series of dramatic explosions, 10 to 50 years apart. Once there, you can walk or take a 4WD road-train to the top of the volcano through the old lava flows for panoramic views of the city, harbour and Hauraki Gulf.

 Fergs Kayaks will take you on a 75 minute paddling adventure spotting dolphins and penguins on your way to the volcano, where your guide will then lead you on a one-hour hike to the summit.

2. Inner City Beaches - just a stone’s throw from downtown Auckland.

An hour’s walk along Auckland's iconic Tamaki Drive will take you on a tour of the spectacular white sand beaches of St Heliers Kohimarama and Mission Bay. Also popular with walkers, runners and cyclists, you will start at St Heliers, a seaside village with great local cafes and views of Rangitoto Island. Here you can book a guided sea kayaking tour of Auckland’s harbour and nearby islands.

Continue along Tamaki Drive you will reach Kohimarama, a quiet swimming beach and Mission Bay, popular for watersports, picnics and its playground and outdoor Fitness Park.

3. Waiheke food, wine and beaches

The IALCwelcome reception on the evening of Thursday 26th March 2020 is on Waiheke Island, a 40-minute ferry trip from downtown. But to get the full benefit of this beautiful little island and its world-class beaches and wine in particular, it’s best to spend the day there.

Waiheke also has a flourishing arts scene, with galleries, Connells Bays Sculpture Park and local shops showcasing woodwork, paintings and glass. For those feeling more adventurous, there are many activities to try such as mountain biking, diving, snorkelling, horse riding, fishing, surfing, sailing and archery.

4. Dolphin and whale watch

Experience New Zealand’s whale and dolphin safari, where you will encounter Bryde’s whales, common and bottlenose dolphins, leopard seals, fur seals, sharks, turtles, seabirds, the amazing orca and more!

On this unique experience you will be hosted by expert marine researchers who conduct biological studies during your tour and will share their knowledge with you.

Start from the Viaduct Harbour in downtown central Auckland and explore the natural beauty of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Find out more here.

5. Sky Tower

View the city of Auckland in one of the highest built structures in the southern hemisphere. From 200m up you can stand on the observation deck with 360˚ views up to 80 kilometres in every direction. And, for the adventurous, you can sky-walk or sky-jump from 182 metres! 

As well as fantastic views and adrenaline activities, the Sky Tower also has two world-class hotels, over 20 bars and restaurants, including a 360˚ revolving restaurant, a 700 seat theatre and Casino. Find out more here.

6. Inner city volcanoes

The IALC Gala Dinner on Saturday 28 March will be on top of one of Auckland’s 50 old volcanic cones. Close by in the downtown area are a couple of the more prominent ones - Maungawhau (Mount Eden) and North Head.

At 196 metres high, Mount Eden – Maungawhau is the highest of Auckland’s mainland volcanoes. While North Head is one of the region’s oldest volcanic cones and one of the most significant historical coastal defence sites in New Zealand. Find out more here.

7. West Coast beaches, forest and wine tours

Piha, Karekare and Muriwai are ‘wilder’ surf beaches on the West Coast. A 40 minute car journey will take you to these beautiful black-sand beaches and surrounding vineyards and forests.  Find out more here.

8. Sailing

Auckland is known as the City of Sails and there are a lot of sailing options. Auckland is currently home of the America’s Cup (and will host the next regatta in 2021), and one of the options is to sail an America’s Cup racing boat. Find out more here.

9. Tiritiri Matangi Island - wildlife sanctuary

New Zealand has few native mammals and reptiles (no snakes at all!), so birdlife evolved without major predator threats and was particularly vulnerable to introduced predators after Polynesian and European settlement. Located 30km north east of central Auckland, Tiririti is a great local example of predator-free sanctuaries developed to re-generate threatened bird species. Find out more here.

10. Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium

Get up close and personal with the sharks by diving into the aquarium’s shark tank for a truly unique experience, discover Turtle Bay, the only place in New Zealand that rehabilitates rescued turtles and the Southern Hemispheres largest penguin colony, Antarctic Ice Adventure!  Find out more here. 

Agencies can explore New Zealand further and also Australia by visiting IALC schools on one of our 7 Fam Trips pre and post workshop!

Find out more about the IALC 2020 Auckland Workshop 26-29 March here.

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