Auckland, often mistaken as the capital of New Zealand by tourists, is miles apart from the quietness of the rest of the country. It’s busy, beautiful and always beaming with the Sky Tower standing tall right in the city central. (Our slightly shorter version of the Eiffel Tower or the Burj Khalifa)
Whether you live in Auckland or you are on holiday in this gorgeous country, Auckland is a city that’s definitely worth exploring into. There’s so much to do, whether it’s the West of Auckland, the North Shore or right in Auckland central.
1) The Sky Tower
The most obvious place in Auckland you absolutely cannot miss in central Auckland is the stunning Sky Tower. Standing at 220 metres tall at the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets in the Auckland CBD, the sky tower gives you not just a panoramic view of the city, but a lot more.
You could bungee jump off the tower if you are an adrenaline junkie or you could walk around the platform to take in the view and enjoy a nice dinner at one of the many restaurants that they have.
The best time to go up the tower would be right before sunset, so you can get a glimpse of the city and harbor in day light and also see the city lights as the sun sets.
www.skycityauckland.co.nz/sky-tower/
2) The quintessential shopping hub – Victoria & Queen street
If you like to shop or want to pick up gifts, Victoria street and Queen street in Auckland central are the places to go. Both are long stretches filled with boutiques and shopping centres and eateries you can stop at, if you need a break.
You will find a ton of souvenir shops where you can pick up small and unique things for family and friends if you are on holiday. Most of these shops are towards the end of the street, next to the harbor.
There are plenty to places to go to for some casual shopping or to pamper yourself a little.
If you feel like a big splurge, then you’ll find it all from Prada, Dior to louis Vuitton.
3) Eateries and bars
If you are thinking of going to the city centre for lunch or dinner, it’s probably a good idea to do some research before you do. You’ll find restaurants, bars and coffee shops all over, and you’ll be spoilt for choice. You’ll find Mexican, Indian, Chinese, American, French, Italian, Kiwi, and anything else that you can think of.
4) The Lilliput Mini Golf
If you want to take your kids someplace fun over the weekend, the Lilliput Miniature Golf on Queen Street in Auckland Central is something kids will absolutely love. It is a theme based mini golf place called ‘Lost in Time’, where the setting is such that you travel back in time through New Zealand history to a time when Dinosaurs ruled the world.
Check out their website for operating hours and prices – www.lilliputt.co.nz/lost-in-time/
5) Cornwall Park
Just 2kms away from Auckland Central, Cornwall park is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is a huge park that is over 400 acres. At the top of the park is the One Tree Hill monument and the tomb of Sir Campbell. You could bike or hike up to the top for an amazing view or walk around the base and enjoy the farmland.
6) Event Cinemas, Queen Street
If you in the mood for a laid-back evening, you could catch a movie at Event Cinemas on Queen Street. This is the most popular cinema in Central Auckland. They often have international film festivals as well, if that’s something you enjoy. Sit back with a bucket a popcorn and enjoy your day!
7) Stardome Observatory and Planetarium
The Stardome Observatory and Planetarium has shows and presentations about the southern hemisphere night sky and its unique wonders. You can discover the history of New Zealand with prominent constellations like the Matariki, star gaze and a lot more. The observatory is located on Manakau street in Auckland Central.
8) The Winter Gardens Auckland Domain
The Winter Gardens was set up in Auckland Central post the World War I. It is made of two display glass houses containing temperate and tropical plants, a courtyard with a pond, and a fernery within an old quarry. You can walk around and explore into the well-maintained, peaceful and picturesque gardens and the entry is absolutely free!
9) Mount Eden
Just 2.5 kms away from the city centre, Mount Eden is the highest volcanic peak in mainland Auckland. The walk up to the top of the mount is pretty easy and you can get to the top of mountain in about 30 mins. The mountain top offers a stunning view of the harbor and the city. The best part is, it is absolutely free of charge, and parking is available, so you can spend as much time as you like at the top.
10) Orakei Basin
Orakei Basin is one of the volcanoes in the Auckland volcanic field. The walkway around the Orakei Basin is about 4 kms and goes around the volcanic lake. The basin is also popular to water skiiers in the summer, if that is something you enjoy, the Orakei Basin is the right place for it with a beautiful view. It is situated on Orakei Road, just a kilometer away from central Auckland.
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