Auckland Attractions Overview
Auckland has many unique attractions that deliver maximum satisfaction in a short
amount of time. Some are active, others are passive - but all of them are totally
entertaining. Put time aside to do the things that can only be done in Auckland.
Start your Auckland experience at the top of the Sky Tower. At 328 metres,
it's the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. Apart from a stunning
view, the Sky Tower now offers you Sky Jump - the world's highest tower-based
jump. It's a leap beyond description...3?4 The Auckland Harbour Bridge is another
icon that can show you an exciting time. Bridge climbing is one of the latest
things to do - and it doesn't require a high level of fitness or daring. You'll
be carefully guided along the spans before proceeding to the highest point
for a knockout view of the city and harbour.
For different view of Southern Hemisphere life, make a point of visiting Antarctica
while you're in Auckland. At Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater
World you can meet King and Gentoo Penguins in a world of real snow and ice.
You'll also walk through enormous perspex tubes while sharks, fish and stingrays
of every description swim around you. Auckland Zoo's Sealion and Penguin Shores
gives you a similar close encounter, except this time it's sealions whistling
past your nose.
The Auckland War Memorial Museum has the world's finest collection of Maori
treasures. A cultural performance is held three times a day, introducing you
to the legends, song and dance of the Maori people. Feed your mind in the highly
informative Natural History Galleries - Origins, Land, Oceans and Human Impact.
You'll need a comfortable pair of walking shoes to conquer the summit of Rangitoto.
When you get to the top, there's a stunning 360 degree view over the Hauraki
Gulf and Auckland cityscape. For most people the hiking track from Rangitoto
Wharf is the route of choice, but there is an easier way... you can get most
of the way to the top on a 4WD Safari called the Fullers Volcanic Explorer.
As the 'City of Sails', Auckland almost demands you get out on the harbour.
Yachts and launches are available for charter, or you can team up with a local
cruise company and watch someone else do all the hard work. The water that
separates the bigger islands is home to pods of dolphins, families of blue
penguins and the occasional sub-pod of orca.
Wine tasting on Waiheke, with an art trail on the side, is an experience that
constantly gets high marks from visitors to Auckland. The famed wine estates
welcome guests. Many offer tastings and some have restaurants that you'll never
want to leave. While you're travelling around the island, you'll notice signs
that invite you to visit artists' studios. Waiheke is home to a thriving creative
population - potters, painters, writers and sculptors.
High in the Waitakere Ranges you can discover the ultimate wild ride. Canyoning
is a blast! You'll abseil under waterfalls, water slide into hidden pools and
float through mysterious water sculptured gorges. A different kind of adrenalin-packed
day begins with the grunty 4-wheel drive farm bikes of 4-Track Adventures.
After a little training, you'll be let loose for an exciting episode of puddle
punching, pine tree dodging and surf chasing on fabulous Muriwai beach.
Auckland's leisure-driven lifestyle has been voted amongst the best in the
world. With 23 regional parks, 2 marine reserves, 100km of coastline, more
than 500km of walking tracks and 48 volcanic cones, Auckland is a fascinating
recreational landscape. Some of the best things in Auckland are free. The Auckland
Domain, which is within walking distance of the CBD, is a natural masterpiece
with many special places. Walking trails will take you to historic statues
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