This place is perfect for gifts, especially Christmas shopping. It’s filled with everything from kitchen and dining items, bathroom and pampering products, and even unique decorations to liven the house up. You can find something here for anyone on your Christmas shopping list!

If you’re getting into the Christmas spirit and need decorations for your house, Rapt always has a great variety to choose from. Their Snow White and the Seven Dwarves Christmas tree ornaments are adorable, and if you’re running out of time for buying gifts, their unique decorations and tasty chocolates make great presents.

You can get awesome Christmas hampers from this place, which are great for those who love to take a day trip on Christmas Day. The online purchase option is also really handy for those running out of time to go out and purchase last minute gifts!

The massive bowls you get your hot beverages in are a real treat, and the unique designs they make on them are an added bonus. The seating here is great, especially the large, comfy sofas right by the fire place- perfect for winter catch ups!

Grasshopper is a great place if you a more fancy atmosphere. The comfy seats near the entrance are perfect for a long catch up over drinks, and the cocktails here are great- full of lots of flavour and colour.

The atmosphere here is really laid back, making it a great place to unwind after a long week. The affordable drinks prices are great for those on a budget, and there’s an interesting selection of cocktails to choose from.

A walk along Taka beach is a great way to start the day. The beach always has a lively atmosphere with many people and animals about, especially on the weekends. There’s plenty of shaded places to sit under for when it get really hot, and the ice cream shop is just a few metres away!

My favourite thing about this cafe are the unique designs you get on your drink. The best one being the Hello Kitty design on the hot chocolates!

This is the best place to go to after your beach walk. The ice cream here is delicious and the atmosphere is always lively. I always like to grab an ice cream and sit on the decking outside, admiring the beach and Rangitoto views.

Catching the latest flick at Berkeley is a great way to end the day. I like the cosy feel of the cinema and the $9.90 deal from Sundays - Wednesdays are great when you’re on a budget!

The train ride to the top of the mountain is a blast. Weaving through a lush kauri forest, the track is filled with many twists, turns and tunnels. At the top of the mountain rests the "Eyefull Tower," where you can check out some great views. Perfect for a day outing with the family!

This is the perfect place for a hot summer day. The playground is not just for kids- there’s a human-sized hamster wheel, a flying fox and hovering bikes to pedal on. The swimming hole is perfect for cooling down and the diving plank just adds to the fun. What really makes this place stand out are the unique features here and there, my favourite being the water canon where you can verse a friend and blast water at each other.

Cathedral Cove is a breathtaking place, and kayaking there is quite an experience on its own. The guides are super friendly and keep the trip fun for first-time kayakers (such as myself) with interesting stories along the way. At the Cove you’re free to relax, unwind and explore the area as much you want!

This place was so great that we all decided to go there two nights in a row. The atmosphere of the restaurant was really casual and laid back. The pork ribs were the highlight of the menu, but best of all was the super friendly service- our main reason for coming back on the second night.