august-2011

WORDS: BRETT ATKINSON MAIN PHOTO: EXPLORE NZ
FROM DAWN
’TIL DUSK
QUAY NOTES
Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour is
the step-off point for many of the
city’s must-dos
9am: Pop downstairs from the
stylish Sebel Suites (85-89 Customs
St West, tel: +64 (9) 978 4000) and
kick-start the day with coffee at the
Middle East-inspired Mecca
(85-87 Customs St West, tel: +64
(9) 358 1093).
10am: Hang on tight with Auckland
EVENTS /// PROFILES /// FOOD /// GADGETS /// PLACES
Jet Boat Tours (0508 255 382,
from New Zealand) for a thrilling
40-minute blast around the
harbour. You’ll know why the boat
is dubbed the ‘Scream Machine’.
11am: Explore Auckland’s seagoing
heritage at the fascinating New
Zealand Maritime Museum (cnr
Quay and Hobson Sts, tel: +64 (9)
373 0800). If museums don’t rock
your boat, fi nd out why Miley Cyrus
and Lindsay Lohan have both worn
the breezy, ultra-feminine designs
of Trelise Cooper (Princes Wharf,
147 Quay St, tel: +64 (9) 366 1964).
12.30pm: It’s time for a leisurely
lunch of New Zealand seafood at
the chic Soul Bar & Bistro (Viaduct
Harbour, tel: +64 (9) 356 7249).
Recent visitors Jay Z and Beyoncé
CLOCKWISE: Set sail on
the Pride of Auckland;
John Dory dish from
Soul Bar & Bistro;
Snapdragon lounge
GEELING,
MANAGER,
SOUL BAR & BISTRO
“
The glow
from the
setting
sun, the
contented
slap of
super
yachts
tethered
on the
water, and
the perfect
cocktail;
the
Viaduct
can make
you feel
like a
billionaire
”
enjoyed the snapper and John Dory.
3.15pm: Ease into a leisurely
90-minute sail on the Pride of
Auckland (Viaduct Harbour, tel: +64
(9) 359 5987). Ask the friendly crew
if you can take the helm or help with
the sailing.
6.30pm: Experience the best of New
Zealand’s emerging craft breweries
at Andrew Andrew (Princes Wharf,
201 Quay St, tel: +64 (9) 377
0040). Anything from Yeastie
Boys, Croucher’s or Emerson’s will
defi nitely be worth trying.
7.30pm: Chefs working in the open
kitchen of The Food Store (Market
Plc, Viaduct Harbour, tel: +64 (9)
377 0125) are simultaneously
screened on fl at-screen TVs to
diners, but the excellent food is
not at all gimmicky. Try the Akaroa
salmon from New Zealand’s South
Island, or the Polynesian-style raw
fi sh salad.
9pm: It’s cocktail time in
Snapdragon’s (204 Quay St,
tel: +64 (9) 357 6147) elegant retrothemed
upstairs lounge. Secure
a spot on the balcony to watch
the Viaduct’s nightly
metamorphosis into Auckland’s
favourite after-dark hotspot.
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