See, play, stay: NORTH AUCKLAND

Game Over Auckland, Albany

Your go-to for electric go-karts, laser tag, dinosaurthemed mini-golf and an arcade with enough action to keep you pinballing for hours.

Rollerskating, ActivZone Glenfield

Casual lessons for kids and adults alike, a timetable to suit every agenda and regular 70s themed disco nights. Skate hire available. Check out heymacarena.co.nz for full details.

Rollerskating © Caleb Russell

JUMP Trampoline Park, Mairangi Bay

If it's cold outdoors, jump inside – literally! Discover an entire indoor arena of trampolines built for every age range. Enjoy reduced admission prices every Tuesday and Thursday (except school holidays) and a 'lights out' disco rave on the last Saturday of the month.

Auckland Adventure Park

A hidden treasure in Stillwater. Kids love the luge, bungy, zipline, tube rides and 7D movies. Who are we kidding? The adults love it too.

Snowplanet, Silverdale

No need to drive four hours to the mountains, this artificial ski slope has a long run for skiers and snowboarders, a chairlift and a smaller slope for beginners and tubing. There’s plenty of gear rental and a roaring fireplace in the café.

Takapuna Beach Sunday Market

Open every Sunday 6am-12pm. Pick up your fruit, veges and baked goods, then top up on your bric-a-brac, handmade oils, crafts and soap. Top breweries The North Shore knows good beer.

Birkenhead Brewing Co

occupies a cosy 100-year-old kauri villa; Deep Creek Brews & Eats in Browns Bay pours 18 tap beers and The Beer Spot in Northcote is both a jovial tavern and an off-licence.

Chelsea Sugar (NZ Sugar Company Ltd)

Calling all keen bakers, take a behind-thescenes dive into the Chelsea Sugar factory with a one-hour fully guided tour and tasting. Then treat yourself to some fine fare or high tea at Sugar Café. Located in Birkenhead.

Chelsea Sugar Factory, Birkenhead, North Auckland © Chelsea Bay

Northcote Tavern, Birkenhead

One of the oldest pubs in the region boasts a grand façade, a classic pub atmosphere, the quintessential beer garden and an enormous Sunday roast.

Birkenhead Night Market

Every Sunday from 4.30pm in the underground car park of Highbury Mall, you can taste everything from Spanish churros to Filipino adobo. Prices are low and the servings are large.

Goodside at Smales Farm

Bringing together Auckland’s finest food and drink artisans, this is a modern melting pot of global flavours and culinary talent. Housed in a contemporary precinct, it’s part of Smales Farm, an established co-op of businesses and work spaces.

Bridgeway Cinema, Northcote

Arthouse films mingle beside all-blazing blockbusters. Movie magic has been enthralling patrons here since 1927.

The PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna

This former water pumping station is now a thriving theatre venue. The calendar is packed with adult drama, musicals and children’s plays.

PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna, North Auckland © ilovetakapuna