Everything about New Zealand is a little bit unique, with our nightlife being no exception.
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While the atmosphere may be different to what you’d find in the Mediterranean or Thailand, New Zealand’s bars, pubs and clubs all certainly have their own distinctive relaxed Kiwi feel.
Let’s take a look at some of the key nocturnal hotspots our phenomenal country has to offer - and which you might want to visit on your New Zealand motorhome holiday.
Auckland
As New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland has an abundance of great party spots. A large concentration of the city’s nightlife can be found in the harbour end of the downtown area with a range of bars and clubs within walking distance of each other.
- Directly on the waterfront you’ll find the Viaduct, an area with plenty of buzzing establishments that go until the wee hours of the morning.
- A short walk across the Te Whero bridge and you’ll discover North Wharf, a line of stellar restaurants and bars that’ll be sure to give you ‘selector’s anxiety’.
- Slightly to the east of the Viaduct is the Britomart precinct, a trendy hotspot which has recently transformed from a shipping quarter into a lively party scene.
- Venture outside the CBD a little and you’ll find Ponsonby Road, an historic street with a plethora of bars offering a range of musical atmospheres - from live jazz to top-40 tunes.
- If you’re into an alternative and underground vibe then Karangahape Road (known by the locals as K Road) is well known for its dive bars and left-of-centre watering holes.
For many travellers to NZ, Auckland is the beginning of their New Zealand adventure, so take a look at some great ideas on how to plot your course with our eBook, 10 Ultimate New Zealand Motorhome Holiday Themes.
Wellington
With a higher concentration of millennials than anywhere else in the country, our capital has no shortage of thriving nightlife.
- You’ll find a range of great clubs around Courtenay Place and Willis Street, as well as an assortment of late night cafes cater to those wanting to socialise until the early hours.
And while the weekend is when everything is busiest, there’s always a place to boogie in Wellington, seven days a week.
Christchurch
Well on the road to recovery since it was hit by earthquakes some years ago, Christchurch is an interesting, arty city with a great vibe and more than its fair share of nightlife.
- The suburbs of Merivale and Ferrymead have a numbers of bars ideal for those looking to groove, and at the end of 2017 the city’s famed central zone of bars known as “The Strip”, next to the beautiful Avon River, opened for business.
Small Town Vibes
Nightlife in New Zealand certainly isn’t confined to the main centres, with lots of action to be found in popular towns such as Dunedin, Queenstown and Taupo.
- With its backpacker scene, Queenstown has the highest concentration of bars and restaurants in New Zealand. After a day of adventuring, Searle Lane is a great starting point, with lakefront pubs offering a more chilled out atmosphere. For more information, take a look at Trip Advisor’s reviews and recommendations on Queenstown's party scene.
- Dunedin in particular has a large student population meaning there’s a great party vibe to be found in the CBD area.
- Situated on New Zealand’s largest lake, Taupo has a heap of party energy with backpackers always looking for a great night out. For beer connoisseurs there’s the Crafty Trout Brewing company and for great happy hour deals there’s Mulligans Pub.
New Zealand is known for its ‘great outdoors’, but rest assured there’s plenty on offer for those who love the ‘great indoors’, after hours.
Our eBook, 10 Ultimate New Zealand Motorhome Holiday Themes is a great overview of the different ways New Zealand can be explored and embraced.
