When you hear people discussing their dream destinations, where they are ready to spend their life, a low percentage of them will not mention New Zealand. There are numerous reasons for these ideas. For instance, we are talking about an island nation that doesn’t border with any other country. The only real neighbor they have is Australia. Furthermore, we are talking about a country where nature is preserved in a plethora of national parks.
At the same time, the financial standing of the country’s citizens is pretty high. You can earn more money in New Zealand than in most other countries. Above all, the country is interested in bringing in people who have the knowledge and skills natives lack. Since we are talking about a wealthy country, it is not a surprise that there is a high number of luxurious cities all over the island. We are not talking about just the capital of the nation, Wellington. We are talking about cities like Dunedin, Tauranga, Hamilton, Christchurch, and many more.
One of the other cities you should check out is Auckland. We are talking about a city that relies heavily on tourism among other things. For instance, Auckland receives over 2.7 million international tourists every year, generating over $8 billion for the local economy. If you are interested in visiting Auckland, you will surely need some kind of pre-knowledge. It’s a beautiful city that has a lot to offer. In this guide, we’ll show you 5 of the city’s best attractions and destinations, helping you to have fun in New Zealand’s most populous city.
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1. SkyCity Casino Auckland
img source: stuff.co.nz
If you’re the type of tourist that likes to visit casinos wherever you go, you will be happy to know that this city is home to one of the most prominent casinos you can find in New Zealand. SkyCity Auckland is a vast casino complex that wouldn’t look out of place in the heart of Las Vegas. It was only the second casino in New Zealand when it opened back in 1996, and after a renovation in 2016, it’s bigger and better than ever.
SkyCity Auckland is home to over 1,600 slot machines (click here for an online version) and more than 100 gaming tables, but it’s not just about gambling. It also includes a 700-seat theatre, 23 different bars and restaurants, and over 300 hotel rooms. You can see that it has a capacity that can rival some casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, not all, but some.
It is the place to be for anyone in Auckland and you’ll usually find celebrities and high rollers staying in its VIP rooms. If you’re looking for a holiday destination that has it all, from great food and entertainment to all-night gambling and pristine hotel rooms, look no further than SkyCity Auckland.
2. Tiritiri Matangi Island
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Venture 30 kilometers away from Auckland and you’ll find yourself on Tiritiri Matangi Island, home to some beautiful wildfire. You can access the island via a short ferry ride from Auckland Harbour and if you’re an animal lover, it’s simply not to be missed! The government has done a wonderful job with preserving local animal species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Its popularity is so high that the biggest chunk of people who visit Auckland cannot avoid spending some time in this beautiful location.
3. Get a Bite to Eat
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In 2024, Food Alley, which was once the best place to grab a bite to eat in Auckland, served its last meals. It was the end of an era, but there are still lots of places to grab some quality and affordable fare in Queen City. Thankfully, Auckland is filled with a high number of restaurants where you can enjoy some local cuisine. Not to mention that there are those where you can find some international dishes like pizza and burgers.
Salis Restaurant is one of the highest-rated eateries in the city and one of the best places to enjoy locally sourced seafood. Le Bistro Des Gourmets is a good alternative if you’re looking for something a little more decadent and European while Oh Calcutta, Blue Elephant, and Cassia have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.
As with any major city and tourist hub, Auckland has plenty of dining options to suit all preferences and budgets.
4. Maungawhau or Power to the Pedal
img source: en.wikipedia.org
For the best views of the Auckland skyline, head for Maungawhau a dormant volcano that remains the highest natural point in the city. It stretches to nearly 650 feet and includes an observational platform that was built with help from the Duke of Edinburgh and an elephant—it’s a story that can’t be missed and one you’ll learn all about when you visit Maungawhau.
If you want to see the city up close, go with Power to the Pedal, instead.
Power to the Pedal runs electric bike tours to take you around the city’s hotspots. You’ll get some fresh air as you take in the breathtaking surroundings and stop for the occasional picture and refreshment. There are several different tours to join and it makes for a great alternative to walking or driving. Millions of people every year just wait to visit this location and have one of the best experiences in their lifetime.
5. Zombie Survival Challenge
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The Zombie Survival Challenge is perfect for travelers who are bored with the usual landmarks and attractions and want to veer off the beaten track—right into the heart of zombie territory! You will be taken through a series of survival courses (both indoors and outdoors) and there are some very believable zombie actors accompanying you (and terrifying you) throughout.
We can see that zombie-like horror movies and TV shows are quite popular these days. That’s why the organizations of this challenge invested their best efforts into creating a great experience for people who are interested in having this kind of experience. That’s not all, you will not need to pay a lot for this experience.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are a lot of different things you can experience while visiting Auckland. But we wouldn’t like to say that there are no other exceptional things you can see and enjoy in other cities. Visiting just one of these is simply not enough. That’s why so many people from all over the globe are returning to New Zealand to experience as much of these as they could. So, do your research and prepare yourself for the trip of your lifetime.
