Germinal Press Blog - Rugby World Cup 2011 – Party Central Versus The West

Rugby World Cup 2011 – Party Central Versus The West

Sunday, 07 August 2011 Blog Post

If you’re coming to Auckland for this year’s Rugby World Cup, you can hang out at the waterfront in the CBD or try the delights of western Auckland…

Down on Auckland’s waterfront, there’s a $2 million plastic waka-shaped pavilion going up for about 11 days toward the end of this year’s tournament. Already, the $10 million semi-permanent party tent known as “The Cloud” – a.k.a. “The Slug” – is in place.

What’s all this temporary plastic-fantastic installation for? To showcase the RWC’s big “Party Central”, baby, that’s what for!

As well, the $120 million Wynyard Quarter is now complete – just stroll across the bridge from Party Central, walk on freshly laid cobblestones, catch the heritage tram, and do the circuit to all the new cafes, boutique shops, bars, bars and even more bars.

Now, if you don’t feel like sweating it out with 6,000 other unknown bods inside the giant slug, or strolling across boardwalks in the Wynyard Quarter with its relocated native trees and pop-up Wetland Reserve, why not consider some excursions out west, where you’ll experience the real landscape of New Zealand.

Here, you can idle away the hours under giant punga fronds, sip on a local vino and listen to the tui birds in the kowhai trees.

I’ve listed a few gems below…and all these great westie sights are no more than thirty minutes from the CBD. There’s local history attached to these locales, they haven’t been thrown up in five minutes like the old grub/slug down on the wharf, and when you spend your dollar at any of these places, your supporting local craftspeople, including writers, musicians, visual artists, jewelers and winemakers.

The Refreshment Room

The Refreshment Room is set in the Waitakere Ranges among native bush and on land that once housed the great Montana Wines vineyard; it was formerly a good, old-fashioned, gang-operated chop shop.

There’s always a first-rate blackboard selection. Tuck into some great rustic Italian kai accompanied by quality New Zealand wines. I enjoyed a lovely Lake Hayes, Central Otago Pinot Noir with my midday platter. Relax and take in the expansive view looking out over the greater Auckland region. Open Wednesday to Sunday, but note that it’s advisable to book first; on a warm day, grab a table on the deck area.

www.therefreshmentroom.co.nz

Corban Estate Arts Centre

Located in the heart of suburban Henderson, west Auckland. For a bit of fun, catch the train from downtown Britomart, and hop off next to the historic Corban Vineyard that now houses the Corban Estate Art Gallery and Shop.

There’s a café open from Tuesday to Saturday, with live music on the Saturday. Take in an exhibition, visit the shop and purchase a beautiful piece of NZ art or jewellery from some of our top craftspeople. Then down a coffee and cake and, before heading off, stretch your legs with a walk around the sprawling estate. It’s a great place to soak up some local history and maybe poke your nose into one of the many artisan studios on site.

www.ceac.org.nz

Oratia Farmers Market

What I love most about this market (besides the excellent local produce) is the location, nestled in the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges – or “Waitaks”, as we call them out west – in the grounds of Artisan Wines and spread out under a massive grape arbour.

Open every Saturday from 9am to noon, the market is a great excuse to escape the crowded city cafes for a rural setting breakfast, chatting to vendors and sampling their wares.

If you can’t quite make it for an early start, arrive after 11am for brunch/lunch at Artisan Wines Restaurant. They serve fantastic antipasto platters, which is a great way to sample some of the New Zealand cheeses and locally sourced produce from the market. Complement the menu with their awarding-winning range of local wines. For further sampling, the Tasting Room is open daily.

Packing Shed Café and Gallery and Just Plane Interesting Antiques & Curios

Both the cafe/gallery and antique store are on the same site as the Oratia Farmers Market. The latter is one of the most eclectic antique and second-hand shops in Auckland, with shitloads of vintage vinyl, antique jewellery, military regalia, china and interesting bric-a-brac.

www.oratiafarmersmarket.co.nz www.artisanwines.co.nz

Going West Book & Writers Festival 2011 and McCahon House French Bay

Held at Titirangi Village from 22 August to 25 September, the Going West Book & Writers Festival is an annual literary event on the New Zealand writers and readers calendar.

Highlights include The Book Market (3 September), with rare and second-hand books for sale, plus live music, food and drink; and The Books and Writers Weekend (10 and 11 September), which has a number of guest speakers, including musician and artist Don McGlashan. The full programme is available on their website.

Five minutes down the hill from Titirangi, set in beautiful French Bay, is McCahon House, the home of New Zealand’s most famous artist – Colin McCahon. It’s open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

www.goingwest.co.nz www.mccahonhouse.org.nz

Louise Maich (pictured at The Refreshment Room) is a New Zealand writer and artist and resident of west Auckland