A day visit to New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, is guaranteed to be jam packed with great activities. This city of approximately 1.5 million people has a multitude of things to do but if you only have a day try some of these highlights of Auckland.
Sky Tower
The tallest building in Auckland and in fact New Zealand, standing at 328m is an absolute must to visit. At the top of this structure are wonderful views over Auckland in every direction. This isn’t where the fun ends, after travelling up the glass fronted elevators to one of the three viewing platforms you can walk on a glass floor and look down to the streets below. You can also do the Sky jump where you jump off the tower and fall 192m or the skywalk where you can walk around the outside of the tower 192m above the ground. After all the excitement you may feel like something to eat and the Sky tower has two places on offer, the Sky Lounge for a light lunch or coffee and a snack or for something a little extra special why not have diner in the Orbit revolving restaurant rotating fully once every hour to give you a 360 degree view while you dine.
- Auckland sky towerChris Gin / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
Kelly Tarltons
Why not try Auckland’s very own Sea life Aquarium and Antarctic experience? This facility has amazing underwater tunnels giving you a unique view of the varied sea life on display. From seahorse to stingrays, the variety of sea life is amazing. For the truly brave there is even Shark Dive extreme where you dive with sharks and for the not so brave a Shark cage dive. A visit here wouldn’t be complete without a trip through the Antarctic penguin habitat where you can get up close to these magnificent birds.
- Kelly Tarltonsiambents / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
Auckland Museum
For something a little quieter but no less exciting, take a wander through the Auckland Museum. With wonderful displays on Maori and Pacific Island culture, the museum has the largest collection of Maori taonga (treasures) in the world, and with live cultural shows every day, you can immerse yourself in New Zealand’s heritage.
- Auckland Museum Chris Gin / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
Spookers Ltd
If you want to get the heart pumping and blood rushing then a visit to Spookers will really fit the bill. This scary horror theme park is built in an old disused Psychiatric Hospital. The theme park has attractions such as Disturbia, Freaky Forest and the Haunted House and also attractions for under 16s such as Creepers. There is a café and bar here also if you can bring yourself to eat afterwards or if you need a stiff drink.
Snowplanet
Open 365 days a year, this indoor ski resorts ensures you can get in some skiing or snowboarding in an area of New Zealand it doesn’t snow. The ski slope here is 200m long and has jumps and rails. There is also a beginners area for the less experienced. Afterwards sit in the onsite restaurant and bar, Summits, and watch the action on the slopes through the panoramic windows.
Victoria Park Market
If you are now ready for a little shopping Victoria Park Market near the central city is a great place to just roam around. Originally, in 1905, the site was a refuse station and the tall chimney where the refuse was burnt is still part of the market today. You will find shops, cafes and restaurants, not to mention entertainment, all in a pleasant, traffic free environment.
This is just a few of the many attractions Auckland has to offer visitors; the hard part will be picking which ones to do. Though New Zealand is a long way away, you can still pick up cheap flights to Auckland if you take the time to compare airlines and book at the right time.
