Auckland Neighbors | A Sunny City Walk in the Next Town Over

🌞 An ordinary holiday, but with extraordinary weather—finally, the sky is clearing up a bit. Hurry over to the next town (Hamilton!) for a relaxed, sun-soaked stroll 🚶♀️ 📍 Made Market 📍 401 Grey Street, Hamilton East A trendy new farmers' market & food hall, blending fresh local produce, sweet treats, and artisanal bakery goodies. Perfect for grabbing a coffee, snacking on homemade pastries, or picking up veggies for a picnic. The vibe? Chill, colorful, and full of local charm 🍃🍰. 📍 Rocket Coffee 📍 302 Barton Street, Hamilton A coffee-roasting legend since 1995—New Zealand’s only café to make the global Top 100 Cafés list ☕️. Their brews are bold, smooth, and totally worth the hype. Pro tip: Try their signature flat white—creamy, with a hint of caramel sweetness. 📍 Grey Street Kitchen 📍 355 Grey Street, Hamilton East The birthplace of coffee champion Dove, this café is a must for brew lovers. They use beans roasted by Grey Roasting (a local roaster with serious cred), so every cup tastes like liquid gold ☕️👏. Pair it with their fresh croissants—breakfast goals achieved. 📍 Rice Rice Baby 📍 Grey Street, Hamilton East Pink, insta-famous, and utterly delicious—this Vietnamese spot serves up fluffy banh mi, fragrant pho, and crispy spring rolls. Portions are generous (good for sharing!), and the neon-pink decor makes for the perfect selfie backdrop 🍜💖. 🏝️ Hamilton Lake Domain 📍 Ruakiwi Road, Hamilton Lake A hidden gem for lakeside strolls and picnics. The water shimmers under the sun, and flocks of ducks/geese waddle along the shore—pure, uncomplicated joy 🦆🦢. Pack a blanket, a book, and a thermos of tea; this is “slow living” at its finest. 🍃I’ve visited Hamilton many times before, but this time? It’s next level 🌟. The sun, the food, the lakeside breeze—everything just clicks. If you’re in Auckland and craving a laid-back day trip, skip the crowds and head here. You won’t regret it. 🍃 #AucklandNeighbors #HamiltonNZ #AucklandWeekend #NZFoodie #CityStroll #HiddenGems #AucklandPlog