East Auckland accommodation from NZ$136

A mere 35 minute drive from the Auckland CBD, Auckland's eastern suburbs offer a charming break away from the daily grind. Admire the views of the Hauraki Gulf, wander along Musick Point Peninsula, or check out the archaeological sites of Mangemangeroa Valley Walkway. Give nature a visit and head to the Hunua Falls in the Hunua Regional Park. There's also the Omana Regional Park, where you can have a cliff-top picnic, use the barbecue facilities, or take the kids to pat the farmyard animals. If you're here on a family holiday, Maraetai Beach is a good place to visit. There's even a playground for the kids. Sunkist Bay, Shelley Bay and Green Bay are some other safe swimming beaches in the area.

If you love getting out in the great outdoors, you can walk, mountain bike or horse ride through Duder Regional Park. Or, if you're feeling really adventurous, you can take the five day kayak tour along Te Ara Moana, "the sea-going pathway", from Omana Regional Park to Waharau Regional Park. On the other hand, if you're looking for something a bit more laidback, a visit to Howick Historical Village might be right up your alley. Wander around the town, where time has stood still since the 1840s. Visit more than 30 colonial buildings, including the second oldest church in New Zealand. You can learn all about East Auckland's past here - it's like a living, breathing museum. Howick also has some great little cafes, as well as the Howick Village Market on Saturdays, where you can pick up some handcrafted items and home-cooked goodies. Clevedon is another charming rural town that is well worth visiting. Here, you can visit boutique wineries and pick up some genuine New Zealand wool and sheepskin products from the Clevedon Woolshed. There are also two markets on in town on Sundays: the Clevedon Farmers' Market and the Clevedon Village Market.

Auckland's eastern suburbs are only about 25 minutes from the airport, and you can easily get around by bus. So, check out our cheap flights to Auckland and don't forget to book your Auckland East accommodation today.

Image credit Ingolfson