The day that my best friend got married was the coldest day of my life. Not becuase I don't adore her husband, I introduced them! It was literally FREEZING cold and I was in a strapless dress and heels running all over the city! I finally traded my strappy heels for my bestie's disgusting tennies and broke a sweat by running everywhere I needed to go. I remember sitting in a hot bath the next day thinking I might never be warm (or rested) again! Three little babies that I love about like my own later, and a happy bestie and it was all so worth it!
I know, great story but why am I telling you this? It doesn't really get COLD in Auckland but the thermometer can actually be deceiving. Just like the weather service can tell you that it will be 20 but once you get out in the sun it feels 28 in the summer, it can be 15 here but once you are wet, it feels like 5!! Being prepared is imperative to having any fun at all!! And, getting wet and being cold really can be worth it for a good time!!
I'd like to start this post with what to pack in your car/backpack/stroller etc to prepare for winter.
1. You know that water bottle you have been carrying around all summer? Trade it in for a thermos or insulated coffee cup. Carry some hot chocolate or broth for the kids and coffee or tea for yourself. You can always stop and get a flat white or long black and a fluffy for the kids but I find that I want one every hour or so and the coffee here has a higher caffeine content (esspresso vs drip). I'm thinking about hitting K Mart next week and picking up a good old drip pot to have coffee all day long this winter!
2. Buy a good base layer. We prefer MacPac for the kids and Jesse and well, I've been prego so long I can't tell you what I like. Get something that washes well and fits close to your skin for real comfort.
3. Wellies are a must. Good ones, that don't leak.
4. Have clothes to fit over your base layer that aren't too thick and repel water.
5. Have something that you can put over your clothes - repels water again.
6. Carry a poncho. I actually learned this one ill fated climb up Ragged Mountain (can anyone say the set of the Blair Witch Project? -- Creepy).
I ended up wearing this fluffy vest that I bought on a whim (and on clearance) at Forever 21 before we left the states almost everyday as my outer-layer. I wore a water resistant jacket (super thin but warm) under it and a base layer under that. Most days I wore leggings and just knew that I needed to have at least one change with me. You should probably carry an umbrella but I always seem to forget it -- I just don't have enough hands for three kids and an umbrella! Carry a hat instead and forget having decent hair again until at least November.
The kids need all this plus a cove for the stroller. Traditional rain coats are cute but always seem uncomfortable and cumbersome to me.
Everyone needs at least one change of clothes and a plastic bag to stuff your wet things into.
Here is what I have come up with to do in the winter with kids.
1. Maritime Museum - I haven't been here yet but it is on the top of my list. They offer reduced entry for Aucklanders and there is a boat ride at an additional charge.
2. Auckland Museum - I really miss being close to this and the Domain. This museum is free to Aucklanders and I have enjoyed it for an hour or two at a time with the kids. In addition, the cafe is actually pretty good as well.
3. Riding the public transportation - I haven't done this one yet either but I have a good friend who moved to Oz that would take her kids all the time, just for fun. It's excellent for a rainy day if your kids like transportation, I hear.
4. MOTAT - I cannot wait to go back here again! My kids absolutely loved the trains and planes! They offer several free days a year for Aucklander's as well but it's totally worth the fee (and the fee for the tram ride to go from one facility to the other!!
5. The Stardome is an indoor activity which is good for winter but not when it is raining. I haven't been here either as I don't know if MY children could handle the acoustics of any "dome" but I do have it on my wish list!
6. Dock Line Tram - again, haven't done it -- we vomited all last winter -- but it's on the top of my list as the weather turns away from beach season!
7. Fish Market - Seriously cool!! They offer behind the scenes tours and classes and all kinds of fun! Even if you are a straight land roaming animal eater, this could be interesting (and mostly free)!
8. Kelly Tarlton's - definitely not free! If you are accustomed to aquariums like the Shed then this isn't super impressive but if you factor in the fact that we live at the ocean and what you see here you don't really want to see in nature (huge stingrays -- no thanks), awesome penguins and that it's JUST RIGHT for little kiddies, it's well worth the rainy afternoon! They also offer annual memberships which are reasonable and if you only pay for the day, you get a 50% coupon off your next visit.
9. Rangitoto - If you follow me on Insta or are my FB friend, you know that I love living in the shadow of a volcano. We visited Rangitoto on a cool misty day and had a lot of fun. Every bit of it is worth it from the ferry ride to the guided tour and tram ride around the island (I'd hike it if I didn't have kids though)! Bring that thermos or a water bottle to this one and try to cram a change of clothes in to the backpack). Don't forget your camera!!
10. Goat Island - I'm not 100% convinced on this one. I hear good things and there is the ferry ride (a favorite in my family) but it looks better for summer than winter to be completely honest. I would love to hear feedback from someone who has been.
11. Glenbrook Vintage Railway - We did the Day out with Thomas last year and it was an okay experience. I would love to go back when the whole family wasn't in the process of getting sick :)
12. Mainly Music - What a great program! I cannot say enough about this New Zealand originated music class for kids and their parents. Its SUPER affordable and they have sessions all over town and at different times and days. We don't attend anymore (not since Charlottesville) because AJ1 is a little big now but I couldn't suggest it more!!
13. Tepid Baths - Did you know that recent legislation makes it free for kids to utilize pools in New Zealand? You only have to pay the entry for the adults in your group to take the kids swimming (wear them out)!!
14. Swimming lessons - If your like us you spent the entire summer at the beach and your kids didn't take lessons to swim at all! Ooops!! The weather was so nice this year that I chose to not do anything I didn't have to do!! Here is an option for lessons which are affordable but you can find lessons all over the city!!
15. Metro Lanes Bowling Gone are the days of my childhood where the bowling alley is filled with smoke, beer and "play pins" (today's pack and plays or travel cots) filled with babies screaming. This place looks a little posher and it's pretty new. It also doesn't look cheap but if it rains for a week straight, it might just be totally worth it!!
16. Auckland's West Coast - We visit the west coast beaches in the winter. It's safer for us then because the kids don't expect to get into the water and we can just experience the beauty for an hour or two. The drive is gorgeous as well! Take a dinner picnic and watch the sunset at Piha (my absolute favorite!!).
17. If you are in for a drive, visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. This is one of the most fun days that I have had in New Zealand. I'm glad it was cooler though as I doubt it smells too great in the hot sun!!
18. Take the kids for a slice or the whole pie at Sal's. I don't find Auckland to be too little kid friendly when it comes to eating out. Most places only have ONE high chair in the whole joint (and my family will soon really need three)! We've eaten at the Lonestar (listed as being kid friendly) and made it work in a round booth with all five of us but the food was lousy and the price tag was $100 -- not too steep but more than I like to pay if possible. Sal's has a large pizza for $24-$32 and it is true NY style pizza (and the sauce doesn't taste like a pound of sugar)!! I bring the kids sippy cups (straight imports from the states) and I could lie but we usually let them at least split an orange Fanta. Sometimes I bring pages to color an crayons as well and we take a little time at it all. I am a true believer that if I don't take my kids into the world, they won't know how to act. Sal's is the perfect learning environment and I LOVE the pizza! If you hit Sal's in Parnell you can stroll down about three blocks after and go to Movenpick (dinner and dessert for less than the lousy food at Lonestar aaaaaand your kids get a full belly and a walk to wear them out).
19. The beach - I plan to still hit the seaside as often as possible and now that I can walk there, it will be a great place to take a picnic lunch (or stop at the Store and pick up lunch or omg try the doughnuts there!).
20. Playgrounds and city parks. We frequented all the flying fox playgrounds last year. Also, we took a kite to the Domain or Savage Park on a regular basis. Hiking to the top of One Tree Hill is better in the cooler weather and the lambs aren't as small so mamma's aren't as protective.
21. The Domain - I think of this as my happy place in Auckland (after the beach of course!). There are beautiful Wintergardens here that I could go to and spend day after day just sitting in!! Luckily, my boys seem to be okay with it too (well, not the sitting part). There is a cafe near by that I haven't been to. If you haven't spent significant time in this inner city sanctuary, go soon!!
I'll add to this post or do a follow up as we get into winter over here!!
Cheers!!
Disclaimer - I am running short on time and am not going to proof read this even with my bare minimum approach or usual. I promise I am educated and generally understand grammar and spelling but today if Chrome hasn't caught it, it's just not worth it!
Cheers!!
Disclaimer - I am running short on time and am not going to proof read this even with my bare minimum approach or usual. I promise I am educated and generally understand grammar and spelling but today if Chrome hasn't caught it, it's just not worth it!
