Auckland and The North Island Archives

Is Tirau New Zealand’s Quirkiest Town?

March 11, 2020April 29, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

Giant corrugated iron sheep and dog in Tirau, New Zealand

A town dubbed the ‘Corrugated Iron Capital of the World’ might not be top of your must-see list – but what if I told you that in Tirau on New Zealand’s North Island, corrugated iron was formed into the shape of giant sheep, cute dogs or birds with stilettos on. Would I have your interest …

14 Unusual Things to do in Auckland (and 3 Things to Skip)

March 11, 2020April 8, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

Pink path with the Sky Tower n the distance in Auckland, New Zealand

Planning a trip to New Zealand? We’ve come up with a list of our favourite unusual things to do in Auckland – from quirky places to eat, cool bars to drink in and unique things to see, And they are all easily accessible from the CBD. What are the best things to do in Auckland? …

Cool Things To Do in Matakana, New Zealand (No1 is the loos)

March 8, 2020March 29, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

Matakana toilets near Auckland New Zealand, are designed like two heads facing each other

‘My old boss wants to meet us for lunch, in a place called Matakana,’ said The Boyfriend when we were planning our recent New Zealand trip. Pretty sure, ‘Oooh, we can go to the toilets,’ wasn’t the answer he was expecting, but, the fact is the Matakana Toilets near Auckland are a sight to behold …

Giapo – Auckland’s Most Instagrammable Ice Cream

January 2, 2020March 19, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

Ice cream covered in chocolate shaped like a squid by Giapo in Auckland, New Zealand

Giapo is an ice cream shop in the middle of Auckland, New Zealand. So far, so boring blog post – but this is no ordinary ice cream shop. This one is full of surprises – and probably creates New Zealand’s Most Instagrammable Ice creams. Here’s why. The idea that such as establishment might come loaded …

Why Hamilton, New Zealand is a Must Visit for Rocky Horror Fans

January 2, 2020March 14, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

Bronze statue of Riff Raff from Rocky Horror, Hamilton, New Zealand

I might have seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show one or two (hundred) times but despite the fact that I can pretty much recite it word for word, I had totally forgotten that writer and star Richard O’Brien had a link to Hamilton in New Zealand – until, a couple of weeks ago, we drove into …

Why Hiring A Clearyak Kayak is a Goat Island Must-Do

January 2, 2020March 4, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

View from the front of a clear kayak in Goat Island, New Zealand

Goat Island is a marine reserve about 85km north of Auckland. It’s also home to New Zealand’s first clear bottom kayaks known as a Clearyak. Watching fishies while getting some exercise sounded awesome so we hopped in the car for the short 70-minute ride from Auckland to Goat Island ready to paddle. The Clearyak versus …

Don’t Miss the Putaruru Blue Spring, New Zealand – It’s Stunning

January 2, 2020March 1, 2018 by Helen from Differentville

Bright blue pool surrounded by ferns at the Blue Spring Putaruru, New Zealand

About a two and a half hour drive from Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island is the Putaruru Blue Spring. A pool and river so pretty it looks like a swimming pool for fairies. Here’s everything you need to know to discover it yourself including how to get from Auckland to the Blue Spring. I …