Attractions

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and embraces a real international flavour. It's one of the few cities in the world that has two harbours, with the central urban area of Auckland sitting between the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and the Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean.

This small city offers an enviable lifestyle that ranks in the world's top ten. Within just half an hour you have many choices that include sailing, a trip to one of the many islands, sampling some of the world's best wines, visiting a wild west coast surf beach right next to a gannet colony or walking on the white sands on the east coast. 

As well as outdoor activities Auckland offers a casual, friendly, sophisticated urban lifestlye. The Viaduct Basin has bars and restaurants offering fine cuisine from Europe, Polynesia and Asia. Auckland City has a reputation for high fashion and some of our local designers are world renowned.

With plenty of contemporary art and cultural events to choose from, a thriving local theatre community and live music gigs, there is a lot of creativity and inspiration to keep you entertained. And all within easy walking distance from the heart of Auckland city.

Situated right in the centre of the city, Kiwi International Hotel is the perfect base for all of these attractions sitting right on the doorstep. When you step outside the hotel door you are in the central city and you can either walk or jump on one of the local buses to visit any of the nearby attractions, of which there are many. For more Auckland info go to My Destination Auckland.

Nearby Attractions  

• Vector Arena - is the city venue for the biggest names in sports and entertainment. Vector Arena accommodates up to 12,000 people for its variety of hosted events. It is located near the waterfront on the edge of the CBD. From the hotel take a bus to the bottom of town or walk (approx 20 mins) via Symonds Street and Anzac Avenue. It is also close to the Britomart Railway Station, bus and downtown ferry terminals. There is no public parking on site.

• Eden Park Stadium - is New Zealand's largest. Our rich sporting and social history with its international profile is unmatched by any other sporting venue in the country. It became home to Auckland Cricket in 1910, then in 1914 was leased to the Auckland Rugby Union, officially making Eden Park its home in 1925. It hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 and again in 2011. It's less than 3km from the hotel and you can get there by bus, train, taxi or walking.

• 'K' Road - just up the hill and round the corner from the Kiwi International Hotel you will find the vibrantly interesting Karangahape Road, or 'K' Road as it is locally known. In the day time you can enjoy an eclectic mix of ethnic restaurants and cafes, art galleries and shops of all varities and in the evening a variety of nightclubs and bars to suit all tastes. If you take one of the free guided Heritage Walks this is a great way to discover historic 'K' Road.

• Sky City - the huge casino, restaurant and entertainment complex is bounded by Hobson, Federal, Wellesley and Victoria streets. Here there is entertainment to suit all tastes along with late night DJs and live bands.

• SkyTower - an iconic structure dominating Auckland's skyline is a 15 minute walk from the hotel. A truly captivating experience awaits visitors to Auckland's Sky Tower. At 328 metres it is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand and offers breathtaking views for up to 80 kilometres in every direction. Travel up in the glass-fronted lifts to one of three spectacular viewing platforms. For more thrills and excitement  SkyWalk round the pergola at 192 metres up or  SkyJump off the Tower!

• Auckland Museum - all things New Zealand past, present and future. An easy 10 minute walk from the hotel across historic Grafton Bridge and through the picturesque park of the Auckland Domain. The Auckland Museum has a changing program of exhibitions and events. There is a comprehensive Maori and Pacific section with regular vibrant cultural performances.

• Auckland Art Gallery - is a relaxing 10 minute stroll down Queen Street. The gallery's collection includes major holdings of New Zealand historic, modern and contemporary art. Outstanding works by Maori & Pacific Island artists and international painting, sculpture and print collections from 1376 to the present. Heralded in 1888 as 'the first permanent Art Gallery in the Dominion', Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki remains the largest art institution in New Zealand with a collection of over 15,000 works. Open daily from 10am to 5pm (except Christmas Day).

• Viaduct Basin - located in the heart of Auckland City, the Viaduct Harbour Basin is a first class residential, commercial and entertainment precinct. The marina caters to commercial vessels, pleasure craft and superyachts up to 60 metres. It hosts many fabulous events including past America's Cup defences, Louis Vuitton Regattas, the Volvo Ocean Race stopover, Auckland International Boatshow and New Zealand Fashion Week. Visitors can explore New Zealand's rich maritime history at Voyager Maritime Museum, cruise the harbour on a charter yacht, view the superyachts berthed in the harbour and enjoy the world class hospitality at the many bars and restaurants that line the waters edge. It's a very special place - come and see for yourself.

• Mount Eden Volcanic Crater - one of Auckland's most famous landmarks this extinct volcano provides great views over the city, Waitemata and Manukau harbours. Many separate lava flows contributed to the formation of Mt Eden, a large prominent scoria cone which is really three overlapping cones. The southern most cone (present day Mt Eden) is the highest and measures 196 meters above sea level and has a wide conical crater about 50 metres deep.

• Mt Eden Village - is the attractive village a few minutes walk from the base of Mt Eden. In 1873 Cusksey's Store opened heralding the birth of Mt Eden Village. By 1885 it had been joined by Tills Bakery and in 1886 the first post office in Mt Eden Rd was completed with a daily horseback mail service operating from here for many years. Both are a pleasant half hour walk from the hotel or a short bus ride.

• Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter - one of Auckland's most popular visitor attractions is on the waterfront of Auckland City at Ohaku Bay, just moments from the famous Mission Bay beach. Kelly Tarlton's showcases over 30 live animal exhibits including New Zealand's only colony of Antarctic penguins that you can see through amazing underwater viewing tunnels. You can see our unique aquatic life up close comprising an impressive collection of sharks, gigantic stingrays and beautiful seahorses. The stunning new Seahorse Kingdom exhibit features the world's only display of  Spiny Sea Dragons. Other displays include tropical fish, bizarre crustaceans and much more. 

• ASB Showgrounds - is host to major trade shows and popular events such as the Easter Show, the Home Show and the Boat Show. ASB Showgrounds are in Greenlane, a mere 5 minutes by car from the hotel. There is plenty of parking.

• Ellerslie Race Course - is home to the Auckland Racing Club which hosts many of New Zealand's premier horse racing events. It is also world-renowned for the beauty of its lawns, gardens, trees and their famous steeplechase track. At the same location is the Ellerslie Events Centre, all only a few minutes drive south from the hotel.

• Alexander Park - home to the Auckland Trotting Club and the heart of Auckland's harness racing. It's near the ASB Showgrounds and just a few minutes drive south of the hotel.