Auckland Sky Tower | Auckland Travel Blog

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 14

After the boat cruise tour, I was waiting in the area where someone from our tour company would pick me up. I didn’t have to wait long; I found the guide right after exiting the boat. The tour van took me and some other people on the same tour to the Sky Tower entrance, which was just a few minutes drive.

The tour guide gave us tickets and left us in front of the tower. We were to visit the Sky Tower and return to our hotels on our own. It made sense because I didn’t have to rush and could take my time to see everything. My hotel was just a few blocks from the tower.

The iconic Auckland Sky Tower is 328 meters (1076 ft) high and the tallest freestanding structure in the southern hemisphere. The Sky Tower is the 25th tallest tower in the world and defines Auckland’s skyline because of its height and shape.

The views were breathtaking. Having water surrounding Auckland made everything even more scenic. It offers unobstructed views of Auckland, volcanoes, and the water bodies surrounding the harbours. 

There are restaurants (some of which are revolving), cafes, ice cream shops, gift shops, casinos, and many other establishments located in the tower. However, I was busy only concentrating on the views from various angles and taking lots of videos and pictures.

The observation deck and general areas didn’t feel overcrowded at that time – which was a blessing for me. I asked a few other people to take my picture when I wanted to be in the pictures. Lots of friendly tourists were glad to help.

After finishing the Sky Tower, I walked to my hotel. My flight to Sydney would be the next day, but in the evening. So I didn’t have to rush and even would have time to walk downtown tomorrow.

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 1

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 2

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 3

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 4

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 5

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 6

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 7

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 8

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 9

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 10

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 11

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 12

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 13

Auckland Harbour Cruise | Auckland Travel Blog

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 13

After getting my Auckland Harbour cruise ticket, I was supposed to board the cruise ship via the Pier 4 dock, but there was a little bit of a wait to let the passengers out from the cruise before.

The cruise ship was a medium-sized boat divided into upper and lower decks. Most people seemed to choose the upper deck to have a better view. When we were leaving the harbour, I saw a really big cruise ship.  Surprisingly enough, this was the Celebrity Solstice, one of the top 20 largest cruise ships. I saw lots of passengers from Celebrity Solstice waving at us, but they were on decks so high they looked like little dots.

Once our 1.5-hour tour started, our boat cruised through Waitemata Harbour. The tour guide was showing and describing all the places of interest along the coastline. We headed towards Rangitoto Island.

Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island that was formed by eruptions 600 years ago. Today, Rangitoto Island is a nature reserve and popular day-trip destination. We did not actually get off the boat at Rangitoto Island; our boat just went close and stopped for a few minutes to have better view.

Some other points of interest were Devonport's historic naval base, Bean Rock Lighthouse, Hauraki Gulf, and Auckland Harbour Bridge. Tea, coffee, and some light snacks were provided, but there were a lot more options if someone wanted to pay for more.

The views of Auckland harbour and the coastal areas surrounding the harbour were breathtaking. After 10 minutes of passing Auckland’s waterfront and harbour area, natural splendor takes over. I noticed very few residential units along the coastline, unlike Sydney where the coastline is full of residential houses and apartments.

Once the boat tour was over, my last item on the itinerary was the Sky Tower visit. 

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 1

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 2

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 3

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 4

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 5

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 6

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 7

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 8

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 9

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 10

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 11

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 12

Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park | Auckland Travel Blog

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 12

Before heading to Auckland Harbour, I had brief stopover at the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park. Michael Joseph Savage was one of New Zealand's best-loved Prime Ministers. He was the 23rd Prime Minister and the 1st Prime Minister from the Labour Party.

Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park offers the best panoramic views of the city and harbour. This park feels like a place of serenity, tranquility, and splendour with the picturesque view of Auckland and ocean in the background.

There are formal gardens, a sunken pond, and a memorial in the park. The memorial was built around the grave where Savage was buried on the headland inside a historic gun bunker.

My stay was short at the park, but it was enough to learn more about New Zealand and appreciate the tranquility and grandeur of beauty the park had to offer in the middle of Auckland.

Auckland Harbour Cruise

Although Waitemata Harbour is the real name, it’s simply known as Auckland Harbour. Waitemata means sparkling waters in the Maori language. Numerous islands dot the harbour and lots of sailing boats make it obvious why Auckland is called the City of Sails.

I was given instructions where to catch the cruise ship. I had some free time and was able to capture some pictures of Auckland Harbour in the downtown area. I also met some tourists who were in my group and had a chance to talk to some of them. Some of the travelers were retired couples from different parts of the world and they were enjoying their time off traveling around the globe.

We were approached by a tour guide who was supposed to get our cruise tickets. Once he confirmed that we were the right people, he showed us the ticket counter to get our tickets to board the ship. I didn’t have to pay for the ticket because this was an all-inclusive tour.

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 1

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 2

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 3

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 4

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 5

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 6

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 7

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 8

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 9

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 10

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 11

A Walk in the Parnell Village | Auckland Travel Blog

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 11

Parnell is an upscale suburb or village in Auckland, known for being one of the New Zealand’s most affluent neighborhoods. Parnell is Auckland’s oldest neighborhood and has lots of specialty and antique shops, pubs, cafes, and restaurants.

If you walk down further south, you will hit the eternally-bursting New Market, which is a suburb known as the fashion and trend capital of New Zealand.

I was walking along Parnell roads and grabbed a coffee and a cake. I saw also lots of galleries, souvenir shops, chocolate boutique shops, restaurants, and small cafes as well. Walking down the road also gives you a nice view of the ocean.

Parnell village looked to me like an English country town straight from a history book, albeit with a modern touch. There are lots of side lanes that can be explored and it has lots of stores, each with its own charm.

After Parnell village, I boarded the tour bus and our next destination was the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland Domain. However, we would only pass by the Museum and no sightseeing was on our itinerary.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum showcases New Zealand’s natural and military history, especially the history of the Auckland region. The building itself is also very historic. It is one of the most iconic buildings in Auckland, constructed in the neo-classical style in 1852 and built on the remains of a dormant volcano.

My next destination would be the Cruise around Waitemata Harbour with a short stop at Rangitoto Island from Auckland harbour.

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 1

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 2

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 3

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 4

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 5

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 6

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 7

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 8

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 9

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 10

Auckland City Highlights Tour | New Zealand Travel Blog

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 10

After returning to my hotel last night (Part 9), I was too tired to wander around downtown near my hotel. I instead grabbed a quick combo at the Burger King next door. New Zealand is unlike Australia in that they keep the Burger King name; in Australia, Burger King is called Hungry Jack. It’s surprising how fast food chain restaurants can give you the same feeling in a foreign country as when you are dining in your hometown.

The name of my tour was Auckland City Highlights Tour with Harbour Cruise and Sky Tower Admission. Basically, this tour shows the main tourist attractions in Auckland, a boat cruise, and ends up at the Sky Tower.

The total tour lasts 5 hours. Sightseeing on the bus goes for 2.5 hours and the boat cruise which starts from Waitemata Harbour or simply Auckland Harbour in downtown runs for 1.5 hours. Finally, the tour company will bring you to the Sky Tower and from there you are on your own.

The tour starts by passing on Queen Street, which cuts through the main downtown business and shopping district known as the 'Golden Mile'. Then the tour bus passes the old buildings that date back to the 1880s, New Zealand’s largest university, and modern high-rise skyscrapers.

I also passed by Auckland Harbour and Auckland Harbour Bridge. There was a short photo opportunity stop overlooking the marina from the Harbour Bridge. I noticed 2 old and rusty gigantic iron wheels which provided very nice photo opportunities. Almost everyone on the tour bus wanted to take pictures with those wheels.

Next stop would be Parnell Road, where I will have time to wander around on my own for 15 minutes and have my coffee.

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 1

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 2

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 3

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 4

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 5

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 6

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 7

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 8

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 9