Sights in Auckland
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Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World
Housed in old stormwater and sewage holding tanks is this unique aquarium. A transparent tunnel runs along the centre of the tank, through which you travel on a conveyor belt, with the fish, including sharks and stingrays, swimming around you. You can step off at any time to take a closer look.
The big attraction, however, is the permanent winter wonderland known as Antarctic Encounter. It includes a walk through a replica of Scott’s 1911 Antarctic hut, and a ride aboard a heated Snow Cat through a frozen environment where a colony of king and gentoo penguins lives at sub-zero temperatures. Displays include an Antarctic scientific base of the future and exhibits on the hi…
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One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie)
This volcanic cone was the isthmus’ key pa and the greatest fortress in the country. It’s easy to see why: a drive or walk to the top (182m) offers amazing 360-degree views. At the summit is the grave of John Logan Campbell, who gifted the land to the city in 1901, requesting that a memorial (the imposing obelisk and statue above the grave) be built to the Maori people. Nearby is the stump of the last ‘one tree’. Allow a few hours to explore the craters and surrounding Cornwall Park, with its impressive mature trees and historic cottage. The information centre has fascinating interactive displays illustrating what the pa would have looked like when 5000 people liv…
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Howick Historical Village
This fascinating 'living' museum will split visitors along 'Isn't it tacky/fascinating' lines, with its costumed staff evoking the atmosphere of Auckland in the turbulent pioneering era from the 1840s to the 1880s. There are over 30 buildings, many relocated here from other parts of the region.
The streets, the pond with ducks and geese, and the village gardens are faithful reconstructions of Victorian fashion, and there's a cafe with homemade goodies as well. There is a theme day on the third Sunday of each month, with special events and displays such as the blacksmith working at the forge, the 65th Regiment firing its muskets, and maybe even a chance to see the school i…
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Museum of Transport & Technology
Nothing makes you feel quite as old as seeing your childhood appliances in a museum. That sobering experience is offered at MOTAT, a 19-hectare trainspotter’s paradise spreading over two sites. In MOTAT 1 look out for Helen Clark’s Honda 50 motorbike and the cutesy pioneer village. MOTAT 2 is an aircraft graveyard, featuring rare military and commercial planes. The two sites are linked by a vintage tram, which passes the park and zoo. It’s a fun kids’ ride whether you visit MOTAT or not.
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Auckland Art Gallery
The Auckland Art Gallery spreads over two neighbouring buildings. The Main Gallery, built in French chateau style, houses important works by Pieter Bruegel the Younger and Guido Reni in the European collection, and an extensive collection of NZ art. It’s worth calling in for the intimate 19th-century portraits of tattooed Maori subjects by Charles Goldie and Gottfried Lindauer alone. The New Gallery concentrates on contemporary art and temporary exhibitions (with varying admission charges).
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Civic Theatre
Opening its doors in 1929, the mighty Civic is one of seven ‘atmospheric theatres’ remaining in the world and a fine survivor from cinema’s Golden Age. The auditorium has lavish Moorish decoration and a starlit southern-hemisphere sky in the ceiling, complete with cloud projections. The foyer is an Indian indulgence, with elephants and monkeys hanging from every conceivable fixture. Buddhas were planned to decorate the street frontage but were considered too risqué at the time – they chose neoclassical naked boys instead!
If at all possible, try to attend a performance here. It’s mainly used for touring musicals, big premieres and Film Festival screenings.
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Voyager – New Zealand Maritime Museum
This well-presented museum traces NZ’s seafaring history from Maori voyaging canoes to the America’s Cup. Recreations include a tilting 19th-century steerage-class cabin and a fab 1950s-era bach (holiday home). Its newest showcase, Blue Water Black Magic, is a tribute to Sir Peter Blake, the Whitbread-Round-The-World and America’s Cup-winning yachtsman who was murdered in 2001 while on an environmental monitoring trip on the Amazon. Check the website for details of semiregular historic steamboat and sailing-shipcruises.
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Auckland Domain
Covering about 80 hectares, the green swathe of the Auckland Domain contains sports fields, interesting sculpture, formal gardens, wild corners and the Wintergarden, with its fernery, tropical house, cool house, cute cat statue and neighbouring cafe. The mound in the centre of the park is all that remains of Pukekaroa, one of Auckland’s volcanoes. At its humble peak, a totara surrounded by a palisade honours the first Maori king. Admirers of the male form should check out the Domain’s grafton Gate, a wonderful art-deco sandstone construction topped with a larger-than-life bronze nude. Walking here from the city will take about 30 minutes, or you can catch the Link Bus to …
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Auckland Museum
Dominating the Auckland Domain is this magnificent museum, an imposing Greek temple with an impressive modern dome. Its comprehensive display of Pacific Island and Maori artefacts on the ground floor deserves to be on your ‘must see’ list. Highlights include a 25m war canoe and an extant carved meeting house from the Thames area that you can enter (remove your shoes first). Bookings are required for the museum highlights guided tour. Maori gallery tours (same prices) take place at 11.30am and 2pm. Daily Maori cultural performances provide a good (and good-humoured) introduction to things Maori.
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Artspace
The plain white walls and concrete floors of this public gallery come to life with an open field of art practices, including sculpture, photography, the moving image and sound art. Artspace exhibits many of New Zealand's leading contemporary artists and promotes a cultural dialogue, both locally and internationally, through speaking programmes and publications.
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Auckland Zoo
This is an excellent modern zoo with spacious, natural compounds. The infrared lighting of the nocturnal house offers a rare chance to see kiwi fossicking about. The big foreigners tend to steal the attention from the timid natives, but if you can wrestle the kids away from the tigers and elephants you’ll find tuataras and a large selection of native birds.
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Auckland Botanical Gardens
The 64-hectare Auckland Botanical Gardens has dozens of themed gardens, threatened plants, and a hell of a lot of brides and grooms. By car, take the Southern Motorway, exit at Manurewa and follow the signs. Otherwise take the train to Manurewa ($5.70, 40 minutes) and then walk along Hill Rd (1.5km) or catch bus 466 ($1.60, 15 minutes).
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Kinder House
The simply restored Kinder House is built of volcanic stone (1857). Designed by Frederick Thatcher, it displays the subtle but skilful watercolours and memorabilia of the Reverend Dr John Kinder (1819–1903), who was the headmaster of the Church of England Grammar School. Enthusiastic and informative guided tours are provided.
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Stevenson Discovery Centres
The museum's dedicated children's galleries are hands down the best hands-on learning centres. The Weird & Wonderful gallery has drawers full of spiders, jars full of fish and atriums of scurrying cockroaches, plus microscopes and dress ups a plenty. Treasures & Tales provides insights into everything from woodwork to music.
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Waikumete Cemetery
The country's largest cemetery is a fascinating historical record, including numerous heritage buildings, plus a South African wildflower sanctuary. Don't miss the Corban family mausoleum (they of Corban Wines, once one of NZ's largest and most successful wineries). Guided walks are available on the first Sunday of each month.
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John Leech Gallery
At over 150 years old, John Leech Gallery was among the city's first commercial galleries. Considering its own historical standing, it's little surprise that historic works comprise part of its collection, representing NZ's most influential, controversial and coveted artists (the likes of Charles Goldie and Theo Schoon).
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University Clock Tower
The University Clock Tower is Auckland's architectural triumph. The stately ‘ivory' tower (1926) tips its hat towards Art Nouveau (the incorporation of NZ flora and fauna into the decoration) and the Chicago School (the way it's rooted into the earth). It's usually open, so wander inside.
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Artstation
The public gallery of this community arts centre provides a professional space for emerging artists to exhibit their work. Shows turn over every three weeks, and might include contemporary Polynesian themes or those of the modern Goth. If you find the gallery locked, ask the office downstairs for the key.
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North Head
North Head was a Maori pa and is still a fortress of sorts, with the navy maintaining a presence with gun embankments. It's also riddled with tunnels. Started at the end of the 19th century in response to the Russian threat, they were extended during WWI and WWII.
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Parnell Rose Gardens
Watch boats skate across the harbour from this pretty pozzie where you'll be in a bed of blooming roses between November and March. Big old trees, including the oldest manuka in Auckland, watch over the quaint cottagey gardens, which sweep down to the superb saltwater Parnell Baths.
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Coast to Coast Walkway
This 16km trail links Viaduct Harbour and Manukau Harbour, cutting a path through a bunch of sights and attractions such as Auckland Museum and Cornwall Park. Walk one way, then bus back. Pick up a printed copy from visitors centres or download it from the government's website.
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Sky Tower
The impossible-to-miss Sky Tower looks like a giant hypodermic giving a fix to the heavens. Spectacular lighting renders it even more space-age at night. The colours change for special events and shooting fireworks make it even more phallic on New Year’s Eve. The tower is the best part of the SkyCity complex, a tacky 24-hour casino with restaurants, cafes, bars and a hotel. At 328m it is the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere. A lift takes you up to the observation decks in 40 stomach-lurching seconds; look down through the glass floor panels if you’re after an extra kick. It costs $3 extra to catch the skyway lift to the ultimate viewing level. Late afternoon i…
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St Patrick’s Cathedral
Auckland’s Catholic cathedral is one of its loveliest buildings. Polished wood and Belgian stained glass lend warmth to the interior of this majestic Gothic Revival church (1907). There’s a historical display in the old confessional on the left-hand side.
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Mt Victoria
Mt Victoria was a Maori pa and is still a fortresses of sorts, with the navy maintaining a presence with gun embankments. Started at the end of the 19th century in response to the Russian threat, they were extended during WWI and WWII.
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Sheepworld
NZ's answer to Disneyland, Sheepworld showcases all things sheepish. Watch working dogs round 'em up on this small farm before feeding the eels in the lake and visiting the gift shop: beauty creme infused with sheep's placenta and 23-carat gold flakes anyone?
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