The thing is, if you see the movie first, you can’t help but think there’s something a wee bit creepy about Aramoana. And maybe there is. Even on the most beautiful bluebird day, there is a palpable air of unease around the overgrown cribs and oddly-named streets (Plucky Street for example, I mean what’s that about?).
Push through the creepiness, though. If you drive through the settlement, a tangle of low-lying buildings huddling behind the sand dunes in the shadow of the headland, you’ll find yourself in a most beautiful spot.
To the north, gaze up the coastline to Seacliff (which, from a historical point of view, gives Aramoana a run for its money in the creepiness stakes). To the south, look across the narrow harbour entrance to the albatross colony – just a stone’s throw away.
Watch out for seals (some cute, all smelly) and surfers (some cute, some smelly). If the tide permits, go for a stroll up the beach and past the rock with a romantic heart cut out of the top. Just don’t loiter too long … enjoy.
Get there: by car. Drive out along the Port Chalmers road – it’s about 25km from the Stadium.
Do: walk along the massive breakwater out into the sea.
Don’t: make any gun jokes.
Eat: at Carey’s Bay Pub on the way out, or take a picnic.