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What are the benefits of CBD?

Known as the 'City of Sails' Auckland, located on the magnificent Waitemata Harbour, is the largest city in New Zealand. The cosmopolitan city has much to offer with world class hotels and dining, excellent shopping and a diverse bar and nightclub scene. There are also a good range of activities and attractions to suit all sorts of travellers. The surrounding surf beaches and wine districts are the icing on the cake but visitors don't need to leave the city to have a good time.

Take to the Sky

The 328 metre high Sky Tower is the tallest tower in New Zealand and boasts views of up to 80 kilometres in all directions. The tower is part of SKYCITY which hosts a collection of restaurants, cafes and bars, two hotels and the SKYCITY Casino. A trip up the tower in the glass fronted elevators to take in the spectacular views at the top is a must do for all visitors to Auckland, but for those looking for a thrill, the SkyJump or SkyWalk will really get your blood pumping. SkyWalk takes you onto a 1.2 Read more  metre wide walkway around the perimeter of the tower, 192 metres off the ground. You'll be securely harnessed and attached to overhead safety lines but the dizzying height will have your heart in your mouth. If that isn't exhilarating enough for you, the SkyJump can be compared to base jumping but attached to a wire. SkyJumpers launch themselves from the Sky Tower falling fast for around 11 seconds and are then gently lowered back to earth in the Sky City Plaza below. Although SkyJump and SkyWalk are optional, a visit to the viewing platform of the tower is a must.

Spend some time on the Water

Picturesque Auckland Harbour just lends itself to a day (or at least an hour) on the water. Whether you want to take a ferry ride, go on a dinner cruise or take a jet boat ride, the only way to truly experience the best of Auckland is to spend some time on the harbour. Whale and dolphin watching cruises run regularly out of the harbour and the knowledgeable and experienced staff offer a commentary on the most interesting features of the maritime park. Sailing adventures, fishing tours and the new Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium are some other ways to explore the local waters and sea life. If you are staying in Auckland CBD accommodation they should be able to provide information on the tours available and book and organise transfers for you.

Visit the Auckland Zoo

Only minutes from the Auckland CBD, the Auckland Zoo is set on 17 hectares of lush parkland and is home to the biggest collection of exotic and native animals in New Zealand. Twenty percent of the zoo's exhibit space is dedicated to New Zealand's unique animals, plants and culture and encompasses different environments such as the coast, the islands, the night, the high country, the forest and the wetlands in separate displays. Visitors can see a range of rare and endangered birds and animals unique to New Zealand close up and personal. The zoo offers exclusive experiences such as behind the scenes tours, safari nights, guided walks and more.

Visit the Viaduct

Have a meal at one of the award winning restaurants, check out the maxi yachts at one of the Southern Hemisphere's largest marinas, visit the Voyager Maritime Museum and learn about New Zealand's rich maritime history, or simply take a leisurely walk around the Viaduct and soak up the atmosphere. The Viaduct is a hive of activity during the day with cruises and private boats coming in and out of the marina, and at night it comes alive with sparkling lights, music and people flowing from restaurants and bars. The Viaduct is an iconic part of Auckland's culture and should be part of every visit to Auckland. There are some great hotels in Auckland located within walking distance to Viaduct harbour.

Take in Some Local Art

The recently renovated Auckland Art Gallery houses more than 15,000 artworks and regularly hosts touring exhibits. The gallery has major holdings of historic, modern and contemporary art by New Zealanders including Maoris and Pacific Islanders along with many international paintings, sculptures and prints. Entry is free along with twice daily guided tours, for those desperate to spend some money, there is a shop selling original art work, copies and a range of branded souvenirs. The Gallery Cafe serves a range of a-la-carte dishes, readymade meals and salads if you want a full meal or if you're just after a coffee and cake, there's a fantastic selection of fresh pastries and cakes to choose from.

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Benefits of CBD

New Zealand, famous for its wine, lamb, exquisite seafood and fresh produce is a food and wine lovers dream and the cosmopolitan city of Auckland showcases all of the country's produce in its world class restaurants. There is a good array of high end restaurants along with cafes and cheap eats boasting quality food, with a unique Pacific Rim flair. Many hotels in Auckland pride themselves in providing excellent dining experiences for their guests so don't go past your Auckland CBD accommodation for a good place to eat.

High End Restaurants in Auckland

Cibo in Auckland's trendy Parnell is a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. The quaint restaurant is decorated with a quirky wall of hand mirrors and opens up onto a sunny courtyard beside a pond. The mainly European menu has an Asian influence from its owner and chef's annual travels to Asia.

Award winning Clooney is located in Panacea Life  Freeman's Bay and has consistently impressed its patrons with a carefully crafted and dynamic menu. Although the prices are steep, the superb service, classy surroundings and downright sexy atmosphere make it worth every cent.

Kazuya is another restaurant worthy of honourable mention, featuring an a la carte or degustation menu featuring mainly European food with a Japanese influence. The high -ceilinged black and white decorated space is seriously classy and the service and food match.

The full list of excellent high end restaurants is too large to include although there are a few that must be mentioned including The Grove, The French Cafe, The Grill by Sean Connolly and Sidart Restaurant. If money is no object, you'll find it very easy to get rid of in Auckland.

Cheap Eats in Auckland

There's a new breed of cheap eats popping up, not just in Auckland, but in many major cities around the world... the food truck. Food trucks tend to offer one type of cuisine and this can vary from vegetarian and organic food to Asian and even Mexican. The one thing these trucks all have in common is fast food at cheap prices. The Lucky Taco which recently turned up on the streets of Auckland offers exactly that in the form of Mexican food and for around $10 to $12 you can have a great Mexican feed made with fresh, flavoursome ingredients.

The Ponsonby International Food Court on Ponsonby Road is renowned throughout Auckland as one of the best food courts around and the prices are cheap, cheap, cheap. The range of cuisines is extensive and includes Turkish, Thai, Malaysian, Indian, Chinese and more. You can't go wrong here if you want a quick, cheap meal.

Food Alley in Albert Street in the Auckland CBD offers exclusively Asian cuisine from over a dozen kitchens at an average of around $8 per meal. The food is authentic, well cooked and comes in generous portions.

There are new offerings on the restaurant scene popping up daily. Most hotels in Auckland will be able to tell you which local restaurants are worth visiting and where to get a good meal at a good price. There are also some great places to eat near the Auckland airport hotels if you happen to be stuck in that area for the night. Te Maroro Restaurant is an award winning restaurant within the Jet Park hotel and specialises in local beef and lamb.

Foodies visiting Auckland will find they are well catered for with a high standard of dining options and a huge range of cuisines along with New Zealand's own style of Pacific Rim cuisine.