Auckland

Stuff we have seen and done: We lived in this city for about a year and got to see and do a lot while we lived here.

• Sky Tower – for the 360 panoramic view.

• Bunjy Jump from Tower (we haven’t done this).
• Auckland Zoo
• Auckland Domain – large park to feed the ducks and fly kites.
• Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s
• Cornwall Park
• Mt Eden – a beautiful mountain peak.
• One Tree Hill
• Aotea Square – popular place for festivals and concerts, parades and performing arts.
• Botanic Gardens
• Waiheke Island
• Performing Arts Theatre – catch a show.
• Devonport – catch a ferry across to this island.
• Weta Workshop Unleashed – if your a Peter Jackson fan from the Lord of the Rings trilogy then don’t miss this visit.
• Rainbow’s End – theme park.
• Stardome Observatory and Planetarium
• White Water Park
• Butterfly Creek
• Howick Historical Village
• Drive across Auckland Harbour Bridge
• The various beaches and walk through the city and catch a movie and dinner. The city is really alive at night.
• Visit a Maori Village (from Auckland) – watch performances from locals and experience the culture of this country.
• Queen Street – and do some shopping.
• Auckland Museum – it’s big and awesome and lots of activities especially for kids during the holiday’s inside the museum. It’s a great museum.
• Eden Park – catch a sports match at the stadium.
• Waterfront Harbour – great for a beautiful seafront dinner and nightlife.
• Go Sailing
• (From Auckland) – We have driven up North to visit country land. It is quiet and peaceful and some really beautiful farming people live up North.
• (From Auckland) – Bay of Islands – is just that, a whole Bay of many Islands along the coast line but wow is it a stunning drive.
• (From Auckland) – Cape Reinga Lighthouse: History Bite: Here the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. At the northernmost tip of the Cape is a gnarled pohutukawa tree, believed to be over 800 years old. According to Maori oral history, the spirits of deceased Maori leap from this tree into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.
• NB: We got up very early and drove here and watched the sunrise, it was beautiful. There’s nowhere to stay perse here, but we stayed in Kataia which is only 1.5 hour drive away.
• NB: Being a sacred spot, eating is not permitted at Cape Reinga.

Things to Know:

• Public transport is not too bad. It may not always be on time either but it does come.
• People are friendly and helpful.
• Bakery food is the best. Ice cream is delicious. Pretty much any dairy food is worth trying.
• Bring a pair of good walking shoes.
• Bring casual clothes.
• It is a pretty safe country.
• Food, wine, art and culture are found here.
• Auckland climate is pretty mild however, winters are pretty damp and cold.