By the Fire

This August, Viaduct Harbour transforms into the city’s hottest winter destination with By the Fire, a curated, precinct-wide celebration of warmth, ritual, and connection, all inspired by the elemental power of fire.

By the Fire invites Aucklanders and visitors alike to embrace the season’s glow through immersive light installations, invigorating outdoor rituals, flame-licked menus, spiced cocktails, and soul-warming spa and stay-cay escapes.
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Precinct-wide light installation by Angus Muir: 1–31 August

A key highlight of By the Fire is a month-long, precinct-wide light installation by acclaimed light artist Angus Muir. Viaduct Harbour will be transformed into a glowing, fire-lit landscape, with immersive lighting threaded throughout the waterfront. At its heart, Market Square will feature a captivating hero installation: a sculptural bonfire animated by ambient light, drifting smoke, and the soothing sounds of a crackling fire. Surrounded by log seating, it offers the perfect place to pause, connect, and soak up the scene.
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SALA x Viaduct Harbour: Free outdoor wellness sessions every Saturday in August

In collaboration with leading mind-body studio SALA, Aucklanders are invited to move, stretch, and sweat under the winter sky.

Every Saturday morning in August, SALA brings their signature energy outdoors with a series of complimentary HIIT pilates, dynamic yoga, and run club sessions - all designed to warm wellness-lovers up from the inside out. Participants to the pilates and yoga sessions will receive a free gift bag full of wellness goodies while each run club participant will finish off each run with a complimentary wellness drink at The Pantry at Park Hyatt.

Sessions start at 8am at Market Square. Spaces are limited and must be booked via SALA’s website.

Session Schedules:

Saturday 2 August – HIIT Pilates

Saturday 9 August – Run Club

Saturday 16 August – Dynamic Yoga

Saturday 23 August – Run Club

Saturday 30 August – Dynamic Yoga

Book now.
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Flame and flavour take centre stage at Viaduct Harbour with Hello Beasty’s fiery food cart

Turning up the heat this winter, Hello Beasty is bringing the sizzle to Market Square with a flame-fuelled food cart experience. At its heart is their signature hibachi grill, firing up chicken skewers and fresh prawns, charred to perfection.

Located beside Angus Muir’s bonfire installation, Hello Beasty’s food cart is the go-to spot for street food with serious heat. Expect big flavours, open flames, and fireside vibes, available on the following dates:

Friday 8 August - 4pm-7pm

Saturday 8 August - 4pm-7pm

Friday 22 August - 4pm-7pm

Saturday 23 August - 4pm-7pm

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Flame-kissed menus and cocktails

Viaduct Harbour’s restaurants are turning up the heat this winter with limited-edition menus inspired by fire and smoke. From flame-grilled mains to smoky cocktails, each dish is designed to celebrate the bold, warming flavours of the season.

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Esther at QT Auckland

Quick-fire Lunch - Enjoy a Mediterranean affair of flame-grilled meats, ember-charred vegetables, and smoke-infused flavours. Available Wednesday to Friday, 12–3pm, $39 per person. Book here.

Slow-burn Dinner - Led by Chef Sean Connolly and Executive Chef James Laird, experience the art of the grill with flame-seared cuts and a cherry galette, paired with bold, smoky reds that echo the heat of the coals. Available Tuesdays from 5:30pm, $130 per person. Beverage match $60. Book here.

Frida Cocina Mexicana & Tequila Bar
Turn up the heat with a Flama $18, translating to ‘flame’ in Spanish, this fiery orange cocktail highlights the signature smoky flavour of Mexican mezcal alongside Aperol and yellow chartreuse. Plus the sizzling Fajita de Pollo $35.50, a Tex-Mex classic, sizzling hot plate with grilled spiced chicken breast, capsicum, onion, served with guacamole, sour cream and flour tortillas. Book here.

Grape & Olive at Sofitel Viaduct Harbour
Grape & Olive isbringing a month-long spicy cocktail challenge with four limited-edition, spice-infused creations,each one bolder, spicier, and more daring than the last. Guests who complete the challenge will receive a $50 bar tab. Book here.

La Marée Restaurant at Sofitel Viaduct Harbour
La Marée's standout offerings the Hawke’s Bay Seared Lamb Rump $45 and Mango on Fire $24, a bold dessert that pairs tropical sweetness with a kick of red chilli. Book here.

Bivacco
Bivacco are bringing a winter fire cocktail to the menu that explores the dichotomy of warmth and freshness, spiced rum and port are blended with chilli and citrus notes for a bold, layered drink to enjoy by the fire. Book here.

Portofino, Viaduct Harbour
Bringing Italian flair to the winter realm, Portofino is offering the Amaretto Sour $19.50, a fiery blend of sweet almond liqueur and citrus, alongside the Capesante Gratinate $29.50, a bold dish of pan-seared scallops finished with torched crema, parmigiano, and chilli flakes. Book here.

Hello Beasty
Alongside Hello Beasty’s food cart, Hello Beasty is bringing the heat with achilli margarita that hits the spot with a fresh lime zing and a touch of spice.

Sofitel Viaduct Harbour warming spa ritual  

Step out of the cold andinto the calm of a winter-ready treatment from Sofitel Spa with their Hot Stone Winter Reset $135. This 45-minute massage uses hot stones inflowing strokes, perfect for melting away tension and embracing the slower pace of the season. Book here.

QT Auckland

Check in and check out with QT Auckland’s Nama-stay package designed to align chakras and revitalise the soul. Experience a warm cocoon of calm while indulging in a soul-soothing winter stay-cay at QT Auckland. The package includes either a half-hour treatment for two or a one-hour treatment for one by Spa Nomad, all enjoyed without leaving the room.

The Nama-stay package includes:

One night’s accommodation at QT Auckland, with parking for one vehicle

Two x 30-minute treatments (for two guests) or one x 60-minute treatment (for one guest) by The Spa Nomad

In-room yoga available

Breakfast for two at Esther

From NZ$499. Book here.

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Come together. Feel the warmth. By the Fire.

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