Auckland - things to do and see
Warby40
Recent Trip with Friend
Sep 16, 2007
based on 3 votes
Tours and attractions in Auckland
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Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
Auckland
- Category: Perfect weekend
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Traveler type: Sightseeing, Active/Outdoors, Never been before, Sports buffs
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Large groups, Seniors, Students, Budget travelers, Active/adventure, Tourists
- Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: sightseeing, sailing, adrenaline, Penguins, Base Jumping
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| Sky Tower is the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere at 328metres. It also gives you pretty amazing views over Auckland! Its part of the SkyCity complex where you will also find restaurants, casino, gift shops etc. Standard entry takes you via lift (with glass front and floor) up to the Main Observation Deck at 186 metres. Here you can walk around and get 360 degree views across the city. There are also some glass panels in the floor, which give you a view directly down to street level (not great if you're scared of heights)!! We also paid the extra $NZ3 to go up to the Sky Deck Level (220 metres) but to be honest it really isn't worth it - nothing extra up there and the view is pretty much the same as a few floors below! If you fancy dining whilst up the tower there is the Sky Lounge Cafe (182m), Orbit 360 revolving restaurant (190m) and The Observatory Seafood Buffet restaurant (194m). The entry fee for the tower is $NZ25 per adult and is open from 8:30am-11pm (note the Sky Jump closes at 6pm) |
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2. Sky Jump - Sky Tower, Auckland, New Zealand
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| If you're feeling brave you can jump off the Sky Tower from 192metres (630ft)! Firstly - you don't need to pay to go up the tower to find the jump desk - it is located on Level 2 and the tower entry fee is included as part of your jump. On arrival you will be booked in, given your jump suit and all the harnesses. The group (usually only 2 or 3 people at a time) will then be taken up the tower. If you are a spectator they will escort you to the landing pad at the bottom of the tower. There is radio contact so those stood at the bottom know who is jumping and from here you can look up and attempt to capture your friends/family on camera as they fly towards you at 85 kph (takes about 10 seconds)! The Sky Jump is not a bungy but a controlled base jump by wire - so much kinder on the body. Minimum age is 10yrs old and make sure you have proper shoes (sandals etc not allowed in case they come off)! The cost to jump is $NZ195 but the sensation is amazing and it will take some time to get the smile off your face once you've landed. A photo is taken of you at the top and your jump videoed - you can purchase these if you wish. |
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3. Sailing Experience - Pride of Auckland
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| We joined the yacht at the wharf next to the Hilton Hotel. Initially set off using the motor we cruised around the marina and enjoyed hot drinks and muffins prior to setting sail for our trip around Waitemata Harbour. The crew (of 2) were very good and encouraged passengers to get involved with steering the boat. Remember to wrap up warm - its quite chilly at sea. However, the crew can provide you with wet weather gear if necessary. The cruise set off at approx 3:45pm returning at 5:15pm. .Prior to going aboard we visited the Maritime Museum which contains a number of exhibits on traditional maori vessels, history of the harbour, boats that have visited etc. There are a number of cruise types to choose from, and the price for our trip was $NZ58 per adult. This was a really great way to see Auckland from the sea and if you have children they will love the opportunity to steer the boat. |
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4. Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World
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| We visited Kelly Tarlton's as part of an Auckland '4 must see things' tour, operated through City Sights Tours. It is located about 10 minutes drive from central Auckland. Unfortunately we were limited to 45 minutes (which isn't long enough). This attraction gives a history of the various expeditions to the Antarctic by Captain James Scott and has exhibits which show the sort of equipment used, living conditions etc. There is a large tank which is full of fish and some huge stingray (fed at 11am, 1pm and 3pm) Fish fed at 2pm. To see the penguins you board a small train (sit on the righthand side for best views) which moves through the Antarctic Encounter, entering at underwater level where you can see the penguins swimming, as the level rises you are close to the penguins. No flash photography allowed. You continue through, passed a rather poor fake Whale & Seal to the end of the journey. It looked as though you could do this ride more than once (obviously depends how busy it is). Penguins fed 4 or 5 times a day - seem to be no fixed times. There is a filmshow which explains the work undertaken by Kelly Tarlton and his invention of the Acrylic underwater tube. You then walk through such a tube to see an amazing array of fish, turtles, shark, stingray, eel etc. There was some building work being carried out during our visit and looked like another tube was being constructed. The encounter is open from 9am until 6pm and standard admission is $NZ28 per adult and $NZ14 for children (family, student and group rates available). |
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