To make sure you discover the best that Auckland City has to offer, you'll definitely need some inside knowledge. At Mōhio Tours we are dedicated to opening up our Auckland for visitors. So we've created our Insider's Guide tour to allow you to get under the surface of the place and discover all of those special places that locals 'in-the-know' frequent.
It's a half day walking tour of two iconic inner-city neighbourhoods – trendy upmarket Ponsonby and quirky bohemian Karangahape Road. We have custom blended the tour to showcase a cross-section of Auckland's unique multi-cultural history, world class art scene, outstanding shopping, historical and contemporary architecture and wealth of fabulous cafés, restaurants & bars.
We mixed this eclectic concoction together, took care to discard the 'touristy bits', distilled the mixture over the last six years of touring, then added a smart, flexible, knowledgeable guide who's passionate about Auckland to serve it up to you in their own personal style.
The result is the Insider’s Guide and we guarantee that if you are looking for a tour with a difference that really allows you to get under the skin of the city and gain a true insiders' perspective – then this it.
Ponsonby
A gentrified stylish 'Urban Village'. One of European Auckland's earliest settled suburbs, enriched with a strong political history and now re-established as one of Auckland's most fashionable districts. Learn a little of the journey of this area from the early poverty stricken 'slums' of Freeman’s Bay lying up against the contrasting beautiful Victorian era villas of Ponsonby, through to the vibrant largely Maori and Polynesian community of the 1950's to the 1980's. Hear of Ponsonby’s consistently politically charged history, and then see for yourself evidence of the more recent gentrification of this lovely suburb – into one of Auckland’s most sought after areas to live, and be seen in...
Karangahape Road
K'Rd, as locals like to abbreviate it to, has long been known as a bohemian and rather 'colourful' part of Auckland's Central City. In recent years it has been cleaned up a lot and is one of the newly fashionable areas. Like in many major cities, the areas that have historically lost favour, end up being the new art and fashion districts, and K.Rd is fast moving in this direction. It boasts a number of very contemporary art galleries and many artists have studios tucked away in industrial spaces down side streets. There are lots of quirky boutiques, great fashion stores, cafés that are the choice of the area’s serious coffee buffs etc. It’s also a good place to visit for a cheap but excellent meal from one of the many ethnic restaurants, then spend the night out at one of clubs in the area.
A little taster of what's on the tour:
History – We’ll discover some of Ponsonby and Karangahape Road’s beautiful and significant buildings, view Edwardian Baroque Style architecture, Ponsonby's first public building, workingmen’s cottages, old churches etc.
Views – Take short detours down side streets to see a snapshot of the area’s original style housing, with views down the quaint streets to the modern city skyline including the Sky Tower. Walk over a bridge seeing unimpeded views over the city's maze of motorways to the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge and sparkling harbour in the distance.
Listen to your knowledgeable guide tell stories of the area with lots of anecdotes and humour, plus share their favourite places to play, eat and drink.
Enjoy a complimentary espresso coffee (or a juice), we'll be recommending a NZ favourite espresso the 'Flat White', and relax with the locals over 'The Ponsonby Magazine'
Fashion Mecca – It’s a fashion boutique mecca with internationally renowned New Zealand design labels, plus up and coming young designers – we'll point out the best of the best.
Shopping – There are a range of fabulous little boutiques, so we'll briefly visit one or two of the real goodies selling such products as – locally made leather shoes and bags; NZ made gifts, art and homewares, handmade chocolates, an independent bookstore stocking a huge range of NZ authors (and a great book on the history of the area); a small independent record store with an up to date range of NZ music releases etc.
Galleries – Ponsonby has a great range of art galleries, we will point out, and possibly briefly call in to one or two that specialise in some of the following styles: a dealer gallery for a number of NZ's top artists (specialising in Maori and NZ born Polynesian artists); contemporary applied art including ceramics, glass and jewellery; an award winning craft and applied art gallery.
Eating & Drinking – Even with all of the shopping, fashion and art, these areas seem best known for their cafés, restaurants and bars. We will guide you to a few of our favourites – and point out the best of the rest as we pass by. Eg – restaurants that have been established and highly rated for over 20 years, the hippest award-winning new ones, a bar awarded 'Outstanding Bar of the year', quirky little wine bars tucked away out of sight. Plus a range of great unique little local cafes which pride themselves on great atmosphere, excellent coffee (including roasted and ground on premise for some) etc.
Western Park – A great little oasis in the city, this is one of Auckland's first public parks. It boasts some great public sculptures and lovely planting of predominantly native trees, plus views back over the 'city-scape'. We will of course, explain a little about the history of the park.
Myers Park – From here it's a short stroll downhill back to Queen Street in the Central City. It's a lovely place to end our tour – depending on the time that the tour finishes, you may decide to return to a recommended restaurant for dinner, or perhaps pop back to some of the stores to pick up that gorgeous new outfit you spied, go purchase a 'local' souvenir or order your new piece of art to be shipped home!
PLUS: We are working with local retailers, restaurants and bars to provide you with an 'Insider’s Guide' folder of deals exclusive to you our Insiders. This will be popped into your eco friendly 'Insider's Guide' tour bag alongside your 'Good Water' eco bottled water, so you take it with you at the end of the day. |
NB: This tour is designed to give you an overview of the neighbourhoods, a taste of the coffee and provide lots of tips of where to go back to for shopping, drinking, eating out and gallery hopping.
However, on our regular tours as time will be limited, please be aware we won't be spending a lot of time shopping or eating. If you really want a focussed shopping, art or food tour, done at your own pace, to suit your interests exactly, then you are best to inquire about an Exclusive Itinerary.
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OTHER TOURS:
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