Where to stay, eat and play in Auckland, New Zealand

Anyone who really wants to get away from it all can’t do much better than New Zealand. This largely unspoilt country is famous for its wilderness, endless hiking and general potential for outdoor pursuits. However, New Zealand also has some brilliant cities and, of those, Auckland is perhaps the best. Home to two beautiful harbours, the iconic Sky Tower, a haven for wildlife and more top-class restaurants than even the best-travelled can shake a stick at, Auckland is the perfect tourist destination. Here are just a handful of the spots that deserve undivided attention on an upcoming Auckland break.

Visit Harauki Gulf Marine Park

First things first: some traditional New Zealand tourism with a visit to the Hauraki Gulf and Islands. With more than 1.2 million hectares to explore, it would be fair to say that visitors are not going to complete all of it in one stay. However, the vast expanse of land makes it feel as though one has the whole place, making it possible to escape totally into nature. There are more than 50 different islands to discover, though it’s important to be careful as some are sanctuaries aren’t always open to the public. The Motu Manawa-Pollen Island Marine Reserve is the closest to the city of Auckland and is home to a number of rare birds that wade in the mudflats, fish in the shallow waters and nest in the mangroves. It’s an unspoiled bit of nature and heaven for bird-watchers, who are almost certain to see red-billed and black-backed gulls, as well as sandpipers and godwits. Those who stay for a long while might catch a glimpse of the South Island pied oystercatcher or even the elusive wrybill. Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive and there’s plenty of wildlife besides birds to be spotted in this marine reserve. This is a perfect option for the full first day, when visitors can really explore this paradise and see if they can spot any rare creatures.

Stay at SkyCity

SkyCity is a great place to choose as a base for the holiday. It’s one of the most instantly recognisable buildings in Auckland – if not New Zealand – and is a tourist destination in its own right. With more than 20 bars, several top-class restaurants and even an onsite cinema, guests are spoiled for choice entertainment-wise. However, the jewel in their crown is the world-beating gaming hall. Patrons can play a huge range of potentially lucrative games, plus the table service is second to none. Of course, after a long day at the marine reserves, visitors might be feeling a little sleepy. Those who are a little worn-out after sightseeing can make use of SkyCity’s complimentary WiFi and play online instead. It’s easy to play in New Zealand as there are plenty of online operators to choose from (the LeoVegas Casino Review explains the benefits, bonuses and variety of games available at LeoVegas, but more than that, the website itself features dozens of online gaming providers that are available for players in New Zealand to enjoy). Rooms at SkyCity are available in a variety of sizes and prices, but it really is worth splashing out. The higher-cost rooms have even better views, as well as enormous beds, marble bathrooms and more mod-cons than anyone could ever need.

Eat at Pici

When it comes to the best restaurants in the world, pasta restaurants are chronically under-represented, but Pici might just be the one that changes that. Pici is all about great pasta and great wine – two things that many of us will agree are the ultimate comfort food. Their Cacio e Pepe is without a doubt the offering they’re most famous for and has been voted Auckland’s best pasta dish on numerous occasions. However, it’s not the only thing that they do brilliantly: their whole menu is incredibly carefully chosen, with a very small selection of antipasti, pastas and desserts. Their salty salad of bitter leaves, sweet orange and creamy ricotta is absolutely to die for and not too heavy (bearing in mind that what ought to come next is a plate of pure carby goodness). The Spaghetti Vongole is bursting with clams, perfectly al dente and with that zing of lemon that makes this dish so many people’s favourite. To finish off, the homemade Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Semifreddo is sure to hit the spot.

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