Thousands of Aucklanders take part in the Round the Bays. Photo / Natalie Slade
Thousands of Aucklanders take part in the Round the Bays. Photo / Natalie Slade
1. Roaring into town
The Arena Spectacular Walking With Dinosaurs is back in town, showing us the biggest and scariest beasts of them all with cinematic realism. Be brave and fearless.
If showing your sporting form with thousands of other folks, and raising money for charity at the same time, is your thing then the Ports of Auckland Round the Bays is your big event. The fun run starts at 9.30am with the last runners crossing the line by 12pm but then the real entertainment and refreshments happen. You can only enter online.
Okay, one win under our belt and suddenly we're interested in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. This weekend, Auckland hosts South Africa v Pakistan, so town will be full of loyalists who have to claim a side. Even if you haven't got tickets, you can still walk the fan trail from the city (team colours expected), chill at the Fan Zone at Takutai Square, make the most of our summer cricket fever.
Details: Saturday from 2pm. Eden Park or Takutai Square.
4. Sea here
The annual Seaweek focuses on our connections with the sea, to the theme of 'Look Beneath the Surface. Pop on down to the Silo Park Markets to shop for marine-themed products, listen to the evening Sea Week Speaker Series at Viaduct Corner with short interactive talks from various experts. Or climb aboard Steinlager II's Open Day (also at Viaduct Corner). Kelly Tarlton's has free entry for kids on Sunday 8 March (conditions apply). There are baby penguins, VIP rescued sea turtles, and animal feeds and talks. At the Maritime Museum, board an ocean voyaging waka from Hawaii, meet the intrepid crew and learn about the legacy of ancient Polynesian explorers.
Silo Park markets. Photo / Supplied
Details: Silo Park, Saturday 12-4pm, Sunday, 12-9pm. Kelly Tarltons, Sunday 12 - 4pm. Maritime Museum, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 3pm.
Rotoroa Island has a day of marine themed activities with colouring-in and crafting for kids, rock pool investigations and a talk and tour with coastal bird experts while Tiritiri Matangi has an afternoon of jazz, bluegrass and blues (bring your own picnic, tickets $25 plus ferry). Or take a day trip to Kawau Island, for a lazy lunch at the Kawau Island Yacht Club in Bon Accord Harbour.
