New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, is a popular destination with travellers from all over the world – but it’s a particularly exciting place for family holidays. The city boasts a huge variety of things to see and do for visitors of all ages. There are so many options that to list them all would fill a book, and a thick book at that, but here are five of the best of Auckland’s family attractions.
Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World
This remarkable sea life centre, the brainchild of the renowned Kiwi explorer whose name it bears, is a perfect option when the weather isn’t ideal for going to the beach. The main viewing area will allow you to get the closest possible look at giant stingrays, while elsewhere you can experience awe-inspiring encounters with sharks, turtles and piranhas. Alternatively, ride the snowcat to the Antarctic Encounter section, where the large colony of playful penguins is always a real hit with kids.
The Sky Tower
Auckland’s tallest free-standing structure, the Sky Tower, is a lot more than just a 328-metre-high spike on the city skyline. It has the inevitable observation deck, but for such a slim building, there’s a surprising amount packed inside – and even outside – the tower itself. There are three eating places, including a landmark revolving restaurant, and children over 10 years old can even leap off a platform 192 metres above the ground – safely attached to a wire, of course!
Rainbow’s End Theme Park
There’s nothing many kids – and some adults – like better than a bit of white-knuckle excitement, and for those with a taste for thrills and spills, the Rainbow’s End theme park is ideal. Situated in a 23-acre park at Manukau, on the southern outskirts of Auckland, Rainbow’s End boasts the most impressive range of rides in New Zealand. Whether it’s the fearsome Corkscrew Coaster, or the wet and wild Enchanted Forest Log Flume, a visit to Rainbow’s End is sure to be a trip you’ll never forget.
Auckland Zoo
More than 130 species of animal can be seen at the award-winning Auckland Zoo, the largest and most diverse selection to be found anywhere in New Zealand. There are frequent Animal Encounters events, allowing you to get up close and personal with the zoo’s residents – not to mention their keepers! Book an exclusive Zoom Tour, and you can even go behind the scenes, giving you the chance to see just how the zoo cares for its animals.
Auckland Ghost Tours
If there’s one thing kids love, it’s good, spooky ghost stories – and Auckland Ghost Tours can offer a near-infinite supply of it. Not for the faint of heart, this lighted guided tour brings the streets of the old town to life, with harrowing tales of ghosts, fires, and plagues. Lasting just over two hours, this tour isn’t particularly suitable for very young children, but older kids will most likely do – even if their parents may be less interested!
This Pantai Nglambor listing only scratches the surface of what Auckland has to offer, but it’s a pretty good starting point. Wherever you choose to go, Auckland is a city full of ideas for family vacations, and time spent here will leave memories, and smiles, that will last a lifetime.
