Top Attractions in Auckland for Your Staycation
Many Kiwis have had plans fall through now that international travel isn’t an option for the foreseeable future. So, why not enjoy a staycation here in Aotearoa instead? Currently, there are no restrictions on domestic travel for most New Zealanders, and that means there’s no reason we can’t enjoy some time off and get to know our own country a little better!
Visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum
Tāmaki Paenga Hira, also known as the Auckland War Memorial Museum, is one of the finest museums in the southern hemisphere. It houses more than 1,000 Māori taonga, a word usually translated from Te Reo as ‘treasures’. This makes the museum the largest collection of Māori cultural artifacts in the world, and the collection even includes a full-size marae and waka! Learn more about the history and culture of Aotearoa right in the heart of Auckland.
Get your heart pumping at Spookers!
Spookers, located just south of Auckland’s city centre, is New Zealand’s only haunted attraction theme park. If you’re a fan of haunted houses or horror movies, Spookers is not to be missed! The park features an impressive cornfield maze, but note that the park’s after-dark events are typically R16, and some may be R13 on specific nights.
Try night canyoning in the Waitakere Ranges
If you’re after a different kind of rush at night (and you’re not planning on indulging in Auckland’s clubbing scene), there’s always the incredible world of night-canyoning! AWOL Canyoning Adventures is a great attraction for those who want to try something a little out of the ordinary. Night canyoning is like nothing else—drop down waterfalls and crawl through caves with nothing but a headlamp and the light of the moon to guide you! These tours are guided by professionals, so you don’t need any previous canyoning or caving experience.
It’s well worth it for those who enjoy something a little tougher, and we can guarantee you’ll remember the glow worms forever!
Experience some of the finest dining in NZ
Auckland is home to some of the country’s best restaurants, run by some of the best chefs in the business. There’s something here for every foodie, no matter what your tastes are like. For an unforgettable dining experience, try the likes of or the Fable Auckland’s own Cooke’s Restaurant and Bar.
Visit Auckland’s ‘island of wine’
Probably the most well-known of Auckland’s islands is Waiheke Island—another great location to take your significant other. Only a 40-minute ferry from Auckland CBD, Waiheke Island often plays host to major art exhibitions, but most famously features a number of world-class vineyards. Tours and trips from winery to winery are common, and tasting some of the best wine in the world makes for a great day out!
Explore the pristine Rotorua island
Until 2005, Rotorua Island was a private island, used for rehabilitation purposes. The treatment facility was founded in 1908; until 2005, the general public hadn’t seen the island for around a hundred years! It is now a beautiful conservation park, planned to be home to 400,000 native plant species. The island also features a historic chapel, jailhouse, and museum.
See the night sky like never before
Another island just off the coast of Auckland, Great Barrier Island is the first island to be named an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, making it one of ten in the whole world. If you’re planning a romantic getaway, the island’s incredible view of the galaxy has got to be on your list!
Take the plunge from the top of the Sky Tower
Auckland wouldn’t be what it is without the Sky Tower, and it would be a crime not to mention it in any Auckland top attractions list!
The iconic addition to Auckland’s skyline isn’t just for show—if you’re feeling brave, you can walk around the top of it, 192m in the air! The tower’s highest point is over 300m high, but those who choose to take a SkyWalk follow the narrow ring around the tower’s main section. While there’s no bungee jumping off the tower, there is the SkyJump, which is even better—leap from the top with a wire, and descend safely to a small platform down on the ground! Believe us, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience. Even Beyoncé herself thought so!
Explore Auckland with CPG Hotels!
With many more Kiwis choosing to explore their own backyard this year, Auckland accommodation is filling up fast! To get your room booked, talk to us here at CPG Hotels today—our locations are clean, safe, and luxurious!