√ Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World

East of Hobson Bay, in the Orakei district is Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World, a popular tourist attraction since 1985. Visitors walk in long acrylic tunnels through huge tanks in which they can observe large numbers of fish of all sizes, including sharks and rays. There is a display devoted to the underwater explorations of Kelly Tarlton (1935-85). In Antarctic Encounter, a reconstructed research station with a small colony of penguins, visitors can experience within a Snow Cat the difficult conditions under which scientists work in Antarctica.

√ Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)

This museum, in the Western Springs district is devoted to the history of technology and transport in New Zealand. Its prize exhibits relate to the aviation pioneer Richard Pearse (1877-1953), who made his first flights about the same time as the Wright brothers. Other items include old coaches, railroad rolling stock, trams and vintage cars, collections of material on printing, photography and calculating machines. Between the museum and the nearby zoo runs an old-time tram.

√ Auckland Art Gallery

The Auckland Art Gallery, at the southeast corner of Albert Park, is a must. It houses the famous Gray Gallery, a surprisingly rich collection of old European and contemporary New Zealand art, including works by McCahon and Wollaston. The earliest New Zealand works date from the time of Captain Cook, some of whose companions painted remarkable views of different parts of New Zealand.

√ Auckland Museum and Institute (War Memorial Museum)

On the highest point in the Domain is the imposing War Memorial Museum. From the steps in front of the museum there are magnificent views over the city center and Waitemata Harbour. The War Memorial Hall commemorates the dead from all the wars in which New Zealand soldiers fought. The museum itself contains rich collections of material on the natural and cultural history of the south Pacific and the history of the city of Auckland.

√ Hauraki Gulf Islands

There are boat trips to some of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf, particularly Rangitoto, Waikehe and Pakatoa.

Auckland is a happening place with the most vibrant theatre, arts and club scene in the country.

→ With a million residents to entertain and even more overseas visitors arriving each year, Auckland has a great diversity of nightlife. It reaches a climax on Friday and Saturday nights when the most popular venues are overflowing with revelers. Cafes, restaurants and bars often serve food and drink all through the night with music and dancing round the clock.

Some of the hottest venues can be found along the entertainment strip known as K’Rd at the top of Queen Street. There are Irish pubs, Latin rhythm and jazz groups. Top Kiwi musos and overseas bands often perform gigs here. Ponsonby Road and Jervois Road continue on from K’Rd, extending the clubbing strip. The Downtown area and the waterfront have live jazz in late-night trendy bars and there are regular performances of fully plugged bands.

→ Auckland’s theatre scene is concentrated on K’Rd, the Civic Theatre, Town Hall, Sky City Theatre and Aotea Centre. The Aotea Centre is a world class venue for theatre, classical music, opera and ballet. There are several performances each year by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonic. On any night of the week the city can usually offer visitors a choice of entertainment including plays, comedy, dance troupe, opera or ballet.

→ Cinemas are centered on Queen Street and suburban multicomplexes. In July each year an International Film Festival features a wide range of foreign movies.

Auckland will tempt your tastebuds with locally grown produce, seafood from its abundant harbors and award-winning wines to match. Many of the region’s restaurants have perfected “Pacific Rim” cuisine, fusing Pacific and Asian flavors.

Auckland is also home to some of the country’s oldest established vineyards and is well known for its chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon wines. The region’s vineyards are clustered in five distinct areas – Waiheke Island, west Auckland, northwest Auckland, north Auckland (around Matakana) and the Clevedon Valley.

Auckland’s stylish heart is the home of many of New Zealand’s top fashion designers. The block around High Street, the Chancery and Vulcan Lane hosts the boutiques of Karen Walker, Workshop, Zambesi and World, plus dozens of other designers.

The inner city suburbs of Ponsonby, Parnell and Newmarket are also well known for their fashion shopping. Auckland is also a good place to shop for unique arts and crafts, and Pacific Island themed treasures.

Large malls and outlet stores like St Lukes, Albany Westfield, Sylvia Park, Dress-Smart and Botany Downs are spread throughout the suburbs. There are also several markets that are a magnet for bargain hunters seeking fresh food, arts and crafts, clothing and second hand goods.

There's no shortage of activities when it comes to Auckland. From sailing in the harbour to bungy jumping off the Auckland Harbour Bridge, horse-riding along a white sand beach or playing a round of golf on a scenic peninsula - Auckland has it all. It's not hard to see why Auckland is regularly named as one of the best lifestyle cities in the world.

Buses, trains and ferries make it easy and convenient to get around central Auckland.

√ Buses : - The Link bus connects Auckland city fringe suburbs with the central business district. There is also free environmentally-friendly, hybrid City Circuit buses that follow a route around the inner city. Buses run to all parts of the Auckland region from the Britomart transport centre, downtown.

√ Trains : - Trains run regularly to central, south and west Auckland suburbs from the Britomart rail station.

√ Ferries : - A number of regular passenger and vehicle ferries travel from Auckland City to various locations on the North Shore and Manukau, as well as many of Auckland's islands, including Waiheke and Great Barrier in the Hauraki Gulf.

√ Transport : - The tourists are given myriad options for exploring New Zealand on cars and motorbikes that suits all budgets and can give the best results.