World City Guide

Further Distractions

Stardome Observatory
This large site is operated by the Auckland Observatory and Planetarium Trust, to give the public an insight into what the heavens are all about. The planetarium and extensions were built in 1996, at a cost of NZ$3 million, making for a high-tech modern attraction. Displays include New Zealand’s first known meteorite, a piece of a meteorite that struck Arizona and model rockets. The planetarium shows 45-minute multimedia features, including what it is like to be an astronaut and the story of a young Polynesian learning the art of navigating by the stars to steer his canoe to New Zealand. Night sky and weather permitting, there is also 30-minutes of telescope gazing, during which visitors might catch a glimpse of Jupiter or Saturn’s rings.

One Tree Hill Domain, off Manukau Road, Royal Oak
Tel: (09) 624 1246 or 625 6945. Fax: (09) 625 2394.
E-mail: info@stardome.org.nz
Website: www.stardome.org.nz
Transport: Buses 302, 304, 305 or 312.
Opening hours: Shows take place Tues-Sat 1900 and 2000.
Admission: NZ$12, plus NZ$8 for a guided telescope tour of the sky.

Rainbow’s End
New Zealand’s largest theme park has over 20 major rides and attractions, including the country’s only double-corkscrew rollercoaster, dodgems, bumper boats, a pirate ship, an interactive games arcade and rides for small children.

Corner of Great South Road and Wiri Station Road
Tel: (09) 262 2030. Fax: (09) 262 1958.
E-mail: info@rainbowsend.co.nz
Website: www.rainbowsend.co.nz
Transport: Bus 47 to Westfield Shopping Town.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission: NZ$39; NZ$29 (children).

Auckland Botanic Gardens
These beautiful gardens were eight years in the making before opening to the public in 1982. They cover 64 hectares (160 acres) and contain more than 10,000 individual plants, along with a lake, a nature trail, a library and an attractive outdoor café. Plants are well labelled for the enthusiast and pathways clearly signposted for visitors who only wish to walk in pleasant surroundings. The Auckland Botanic Gardens are now also home to the Ellerslie Flower Show.

102 Hill Road, Manurewa
Tel: (09) 267 1457 (Visitor Centre). Fax: (09) 266 3698.
E-mail: botanicgardens@arc.govt.nz
Website: www.arc.govt.nz/arc/auckland-regional-parks/botanic-gardens/
Transport: Buses to Drury, Papakura or Pukehohe, and bus no 66 to Manurewa.
Opening hours: Daily 0800-dusk (gardens); Daily 1000-1600 (Visitor Centre).
Admission: Free.

Eden Garden
A few minutes from Downtown Auckland lies the green oasis of Eden Garden. The 2.25-hectare (5.5-acre) garden on the volcanic slopes of Mount Eden (the highest point in the area and extremely popular with tour buses) was once a quarry. This was until 1965, when a group of dedicated volunteers began to transform it into what is now a national showcase garden of international status, which has won many awards. It has the largest collection of camellias in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as large numbers of rhododendrons and azaleas. Plants from around the world give year-round colour but it is also a good place for visitors to see a large number of native plants too. The landscaped gardens have some statues and a 13.5m (45ft) waterfall.

24 Omana Avenue, Epsom
Tel: (09) 638 8395. Fax: (09) 638 7685.
E-mail: eden@edengarden.co.nz
Website: www.edengarden.co.nz
Transport: Bus 274 or 275.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1630.
Admission: NZ$5; concessions available.

Harbour Bridge Climb & Bungy
The most recent adventure activity in the city involves getting kitted out in overalls and a harness and then walking across the upper girders of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, some 65m (213 feet) above the harbour, with the traffic rushing along on the road below. The views are spectacular, even at night, although this is not for the faint hearted. Equally unappealing to the timid is the bridge bungy run by A J Hackett, father of throwing yourself off things with elastic fastened round your ankles.

Westhaven Reserve, Curran Street, Herne Bay
Tel: (0800) 000 GOCLIMB (462 462) or (09) 625 0445. Fax (09) 361 6186.
E-mail: aucklandbungy@ajhackett.com
Website: www.ajhackett.com
Transport: Public, Link and Explorer buses.
Opening hours: Day climbs Mon-Thurs 1000-1500, Fri-Sun 1000-1800; Night climbs Sat 1800 (Apr-Sep), Sat 1940 (Oct-Mar).
Admission: (Bridge Climb) NZ$65; (Bungy)NZ$85; (Combined) NZ$140.