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...  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 and beautiful conservatories.

North Head, next to Devonport village, offers free exploration of an underground tunnel network that was built for military purposes during WWII. Highlights include an original disappearing gun. You can hug a giant kauri tree on any day of the week in the rainforest of the Waitakere Ranges. Discover the displays at the Arataki Visitor Centre and enjoy a free film about Auckland's forest life.

AucklandArtGallery
The largest and most comprehensive collection of New Zealand and International art in the country. The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki is where New Zealand stories are told through the visual arts. The Gallery has the largest and most comprehensive collection of New Zealand and International art in the country, consisting of over 12,000 works of art including colonial landscape paintings and early images of Maori by Charles Goldie (1870-1947) and Gottfried Lindauer (1839-1926).

Situated in the heart of the city and occupying two buildings, AucklandArtGallery is within walking distance of central city hotels. Visit the Gallery and enjoy its diverse Public Programme, or take a free tour of the Gallery’s collection every day at 2pm with one of the Gallery’s trained guides. Opening hours: 10am - 5pm, 7 days.

Physical Address: Cnr Wellesley and Kitchener Streets, Auckland
Postal Address: PO Box 5449, Auckland, New Zealand
24hr Information Line: 64 9 379 1349
Phone: 64 9 307 700
Fax: 64 9 302 1096

AucklandBridge Climb
Join professional Climb Leaders for a fun 2 1/2 hr adventure. Join professional Climb Leaders for a fun 2 1/2 hr adventure. Suitable for all levels of ability ages 10 and above.The 360º views from the summit, 65m above the water make Auckland Bridge Climb an Auckland ‘must do’.

Physical Address: 70 Nelson Street, Auckland
Postal Address: PO Box 106388, Downtown, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 0800 000 808 (within NZ only) or book online
Fax: 64 9 377 6544
www.aucklandbridgeclimb.co.nz

AucklandMuseum
Overlooking Waitemata harbour and occupying one of New Zealand's finest heritage buildings. First establised in 1852, the Museum tells the story of our nation's evolution, from Pacific migration and early nationhood, to our natural and military history. Open daily 10am - 5pm. Admission by donation ($5 is suggested), children are free.

Physical Address: The Domain, Auckland, New Zealand
Postal Address: Private Bag 92018, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 64 9 309 0443
Fax: 64 9 379 9956
www.akmuseum.org.nz

Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens
These gardens are for both education and enjoyment. Open from 9am to dusk daily. Located adjacent to the southern motorway, access via the Manurewa off-ramp, eastward along Hill Road. Extensive displays of native and introduced plants have raised international interest. Guided rambles held on first Sunday every month.

Physical Address: Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland.
Phone: 64 9 303 1530
www.arc.govt.nz

Auckland Zoo
Home to New Zealand's largest collection of native and exotic animals. Explore the Tropical Rainforest, Hippo River, Pridelands (African savannah) & Primate Trail. Discover Wilderness New Zealand. Experience Sealion and PenguinShores where Sealions can be seen through an amazing underwater viewing window.
Open daily (except Christmas Day), Hours: 9.30am - 5.30pm (last admission 4.15pm).

Physical Address: Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland
Postal Address: Private Bag, Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand
Info Line: 64 9 360 3819
Phone: 64 9 360 3800
Fax: 64 9 360 3818
www.aucklandzoo.co.nz

Eden Garden
Once a quarry, now an award winning garden of international status. BeautifulEdenGarden, once a quarry, is now an award winning garden of international status only 5 minutes from downtown. The Café, in unique surroundings, serves delectable home baked treats (Open 9am-4.30pm, Café 10am-4pm).

Address: 23 Omana Ave, Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 64 9 638 8395
Fax: 64 9 638 7685
www.edengarden.co.nz

Hunua Ranges
Explore a little-known natural playground less than an hour from Auckland. The ranges, a large area of native bush, provide part of Auckland's water supply though the Cossey and Mangatangi Dams. Go mountain biking, tramp the remote tracks, picnic by HunuaFalls, or take the walk to Cossey's Dam. Phone: 64 9 303 1530
 

Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World
Get up close and personal with sea creatures... See colonies of King and Gentoo Penguins, watch them swim and plunge beneath the ice cap, then travel deep beneath the ocean and come face to face with the awesome predators of the deep – SHARKS – only centimetres away.

Physical Address: 23 Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Auckland
Postal Address: PO Box 42 021, Orakei, Auckland
Phone: 64 9 528 0603
Fax: 64 9 528 5175
www.kellytarltons.co.nz

Kiwi Valley
The home of Old MacDonald's Travelling Farmyard, nestled in the tranquil Waitakere foothills. Kiwi Valley's 18-acre property enables visitors to enjoy a hands-on rural experience. Get close to your favourite animals, ride a horse, explore the maze and refuel at the Last Straw licensed cafe. Open 10am - 4pm daily during school holidays, Wednesday - Sunday all other times.

Address: 308 Henderson Valley Road, WaitakereCity, Auckland
Phone: 64 9 837 2952
Fax: 64 9 837 2932
www.kiwivalley.co.nz

LIONZONE
LIONZONE - The Lion Beer Experience. Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand's largest brewery invites you on an innovative, entertaining and interactive beer experience where visitors have the opportunity to see, touch, smell and taste the essence that is beer. Home of NZ's biggest beer brands - Lion Red and Steinlager.

Physical Address: LIONZONE, Lion Brewery (copper kettle entrance), 380 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland.
Postal Address: LIONZONE, PO Box 23, Auckland
Phone: 64 9 358 8366
Fax: 64 9 358 8699
www.lionzone.co.nz

Museum of Transport and Technology - MOTAT
New Zealand’s largest transport and technology museum with exciting exhibitions and a 'hands on' area. New Zealand’s largest transport and technology museum with historic Pumphouse & Village, extensive collections of vehicles, planes, military vehicles. Daily tram rides available. Exciting exhibitions and ‘hands on’ area. Café and Souvenir Shop. Open 7 days 10am-5pm.

Physical Address: 805 Great North Road, Western Springs
Postal Address: PO Box 44114, Point Chevalier, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 64 9 846 0199
Fax: 64 9 846 4242
Infoline: 64 9 846 7020
www.motat.org.nz

NZ National Maritime Museum
New Zealand’s leading maritime museum in the heart of Auckland’s vibrant waterfront. New Zealand’s leading maritime museum in the heart of Auckland’s vibrant waterfront. Discover New Zealand’s seafaring history in over 14 world class galleries. Sail the harbour aboard a heritage vessel.

Physical Address: Cnr Hobson and Quay Streets, Auckland
Postal Address: PO Box 3141, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 64 9 373 0800
Fax: 64 9 377 6000
www.nzmaritime.org

Pride of Auckland
Come and enjoy our World Famous Sailing & Dining Cruises on Auckland’s WaitemataHarbour. Daily Sailing, Coffee, Lunch & Dinner Cruises along with a popular Charter service, provides a fantastic time on the water. NZ National Maritime Museum pass included. Located through the entrance of the NZ National Maritime Museum on the corner of Quay & Hobson St’s, Downtown Auckland.

Physical Address: Cnr Quay and Hobson Streets, Auckland
Postal Address: PO Box 106026, Auckland 1, New Zealand
Phone: 64 9 373 4557
Fax: 64 9 377 0459
www.prideofauckland.com

Sky CityAuckland
Winner of the New Zealand Tourism Supreme Award 2001/2002. Free live entertainment daily, a choice of ten superb restaurants/bars, two casinos, a 4.5 star hotel and world famous SkyTower all on site makes SkyCity an unmissable entertainment destination.

Physical Address:Corner Victoria and Federal Streets, Auckland
Postal Address:PO Box 90643, Auckland
Freephone: 0800 SKY CITY (within NZ only)
Phone: 64 9 363 6000
Fax: 64 9 363 6032
www.skycity.co.nz

The Force Entertainment Centre
Cinema and entertainment complex in the heart of Auckland city. The Force Entertaiment Centre has all your entertainment needs covered...12 Village Force Hoyts movie cinemas, great food in the unique environment and atmosphere that is Planet Hollywood and much more!

Physical Address: 291-297 Queen St, Auckland
Postal Address: PO Box 37-096, Parnell, Auckland
Phone: 64 9 979 2405
Fax: 64 9 303 3346

Victoria Park Market
Victoria Park Market offers a unique shopping experience just minutes from Downtown Auckland. There is an amazing array of products for sale - many not available in other parts of New Zealand. Eat at licensed restaurants, or visit the international food court that offers delicacies from around the world, accompanied by live entertainment. Open 7 days a week, 9am - 6pm.

Physical Address: 210 Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand
Postal Address: PO Box 91-733, Auckland Mail Centre
Phone: 64 9 309 6911
Fax: 64 9 377 8954
www.victoria-park-market.co.nz

Waiwera Thermal Resort
Soak and play in the Waiwera Naturally Hot Thermal Waterpark Resort. From the roaring, whirling twister and dual speed slide, to the sheer luxury of soaking in the Hibiscus pool watching movies on the large screen, to the relaxation of a soothing massage, to the intimate seclusion of rising steam, soft music and cascading waterfalls of the private spas, sauna and Jacuzzi – Waiwera Thermal Resort’s naturally heated water provides something for everybody – only 25 mins north of Auckland on State Highway 1.

Address: PO Box 70, 7-11 Waiwera Rd, Waiwera
Phone: 64 9 426 5369 or 64 9 426 4730
Fax: 64 9 426 4730
www.waiwera.co.nz

Wrights Watergardens & Waterfall Cafe
Six acres of Watergardens within an old rock quarry surrounding the historical Mauku Waterfall. Waterfall Cafe is licensed and offers excellent food and beverages. Craft shop and nursery. Open daily 10:00am - 4:30pm.

Address: Mauku Road, Patumahoe, Pukekohe 1850, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 64 9 236 3211
Cafe: 64 9 236 3036
Fax: 64 9 236 3007
www.wrightswatergarden.co.nz