Did you know about New Zealand (Aotearoa in Māori) before Lord of the Rings? Did you know anything other than its Cricket team? Did the country become known to you because of its female prime minister, Helen Elizabeth Clark? Did you find New Zealand interesting after All Blacks’ haka performance in Rugby World Cup 2011 finale? Or did the Lorde’s Royals make you a fan of the country? Yes, they represent New Zealand’s distinctive cultural identity and the movies have shown the stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife, but the country’s attractions are tremendously remarkable. It’s truly a marvelous country.
An island country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean offers not only natural beauty but is also well-known for rich Māori culture, meeting quality of life standards and sustainable tourism. The country consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island. The country’s capital, Wellington and famous attractions Sky Tower and the Hobbiton Village are located in the North Island while the Queens Town with majestic Southern Alps is located in the South Island.
Auckland is the most populous with largest urban areas attracts thousands of international and domestic visitors. Because of its rich culture influenced by both Maori & European traditions, New Zealand commits to responsible travel through ‘Tiaki Promise’ encouraging travellers to care of the land, seas and culture. In 2023, 1.7 million international visitors came to New Zealand, of which 226 thousand visited Auckland. During Covid-19, the government launched Do Something NEW, New Zealand campaign encouraging kiwis (domestic travellers) to explore new holiday destinations. And in March 2023, the launch of Re_View Your City promoted city centre experiences including dinning, nightlife and mass karaoke events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. There are both indoor and outdoor urban attractions you can experience as a solo or with your family and friends.
Auckland offers vibrant cultural experiences and picturesque landscape and I present some of the interesting and popular attractions locals and those coming from other cities or countries must visit:
- Waiheke Island:
On top of the list is my favourite destination with massive vineyards, olive groves and family friendly beaches. It’s just 40 minutes ferry ride from the central Auckland. The fee covers bus service as well so you can get off and get on at any of the allocated stations. The bus drivers guide you sharing important information about each spot, dinning options and things to do. Try the zipline with aerial view of the Hauraki Gulf or explore the wine tasting at world-class wineries. The whole landscape manifests the beauty and spectacle of any tourist destination in New Zealand: great many accommodation options, affordable transport, pristine beaches and food choices for everyone. Waiheke Island (watch the REEL) remains my highest recommended destination, explore yourself.
2. Rangitoto Island:
The youngest volcano of New Zealand is in Auckland, which emerged almost 600 years ago after volcanic explosions. You can get to the island via a 25 mins ferry ride Auckland Central or Devonport Wharf and enjoy a day trip with friends, who love walking in the nature. The walking tracks are covered with black lava remnants leading to the summit with spectacular view surrounding the island. Alternatively, you can explore the magics lava tunnel and caves. The island was declared pest free in 2011; hence, I encourage you to visit the island responsibly. And don’t forget to carry food & drinking water because there’s no vending machine or café on the island.
3. Auckland War Memorial Museum:
On the official website it’s described as: ‘the Museum tells the story of New Zealand, its place in the Pacific and its people’. Be ready to be mesmerized by the natural, historical and cultural collections on display in each section. I confess the visit made me realize the significant contribution of New Zealand military despite its comparatively modest scale. Located in Auckland Domain, the Museum attracts thousands of local and international visitors who can access via public transport or drive without worrying about parking spaces. On a nice sunny day, people play different sports on the fields from Cricket to football. We used to play football and baseball (Afghan version, lol) during resettlement process in 2021 and celebrated our first Eid in the park. I can say the memories from Auckland Domain is a distinctive part of our journey to new life in New Zealand.
As a bonus attraction, enjoy the fragrance and picturesque presentation of plants & flowers in the Domain Wintergardens. Its family friendly structure makes the two glasshouses and courtyard perfect sport for half-day tour. Let your children roam freely to enjoy the wide collection of native & exotic plants. One of the indoor places Anam enjoyed the most.
4. Howick Historical Village:
It’s not just a museum but a reflection into the life of early European settlers and retired soldiers to defend New Zealand during 1940s. Located in Howick, an eastern suburb in Auckland, the village includes around 30 restored structures that include cottages, a school, courthouse and church. The landscape represents farming practices of its time to ensure the visitors are transported back to the era. We visited to attend a candle making workshop not knowing the unique experience we’d have. Did we attend the candle making workshop? No. We got lost in the period-appropriate artifacts and beautiful landscape to fully embrace the calming experience. Here is a snapshot of the village for you:
5. Stardome Observatory and Planetarium:
The Stardome is my favourite indoor attraction. It’s the place where my wife found there’s a star in her name as well. Her reaction was priceless, and she felt closer to the universe, so that’s the story of it becoming my favourite place, lol.
This state-of-art facility has been a popular destination for families, educational tours, and the fans of astronomy. We watched Perfect Little Planet in the digital planetarium’s domed screen. Please remember that you’ve to pay extra to watch the shows. Otherwise, the interactive displays are designed to show the history and wonders of space and you’ll find yourself profoundly attracted to the celestial objects: planets, stars and the whole universe. The facility also offers education programs to educate people of all ages about space exploration, space science and astronomy.
What’s the popular place you’ve ever visited in Auckland, New Zealand?
Keep up your good work and be consistent. Eventually you’ll get there.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you for the motivation. Auckland is truly a beautiful city.