 | Auckland Things To Do | Tips 41 - 50 of 410 |  |
Victoria Park Market is a great place to get your gifts. I found the stuff on Queenstreet rather 'more of the same', so ended up at V.Market and got some really special gifts. It's not too big, but cosy and it has all you want for presents. Treat yourself!
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The Chinese Lantern Festival has become an annual event in Auckland. 2004 was my first experience of this festival. It was also a record year for attendance, with 70 000 people estimated to have visited the festival on its opening night this year. This proves it is popular and probably here to stay. I certainly hope to check it out again in 2005.
The festival is held on the weekend following the first full moon after the Chinese New Year. In 2004 it was on the nights of Feb 6-8; coinciding with our national holiday - Waitangi Day. The festival happens in Albert Park, just a short walk up-hill from Queen Street and right in front of the university. The whole park is adorned with fantastic lanterns which are alight until 2230. There are stalls selling all sorts of curios and food stalls along Princes Street.
Have a look at my Chinese Lantern Festival 2004 travelogue for more pics. Leave a Comment Directions: Albert Park is east of Queen Street, the CBD's main thoroughfare.
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The Aotea Centre was first opened in 1990 by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. The centre hosts performances by the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Auckland Philharmonia, New Zealand Symphony and Opera as well as being a venue for overseas artists, conventions and exhibitions. There is no admission to view the centre. Leave a Comment Address: Aotea Square, Queen Street
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Sir George Grey was an significant British colonial diplomat and politician. He was also governor twice of New Zealand during the years1845-1853 and 1861-1868. He was also the last superintendent of Auckland 1875-1876 and the premier of New Zealand 1877-1879. He actively encouraged the Europeanisation of Maori and also the understanding of the Maori culture by the Pakeha (white) settlers. Originally the statue was erected at the junction between Queen Street and Grey’s Avenue but was later transferred to Albert Park in 1922. In 1986 the statues head was removed by Maori rights protesters but was replaced with a likeness the following year. Leave a Comment Address: Albert Park, Princes Street
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I lived here for about three years and loved it. It's a lovely little village surrounded by extinct volcanoes. In fact, there are something like 47 extinct volcanoes in the Auckland region.
Devonport is on a little penninsular that overlooks the city and the Hauraki Gulf. You can get there by ferry from downtown Auckland or by car - crossing over the harbour bridge.
It's a great place to go and have a picnic on a hot day and enjoy views and explore the remains of a WWII bunker tunnels and gunnery. Leave a Comment Address: North Shore of the City.Directions: Across harbour bridge or by ferry.
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Queen Victoria statue was unveiled in 1899 to mark the sixtieth jubilee of her reign. It was the first statue of her in the country. This was erected in 1897 to commemorate the 60th jubilee of her reign. It was to symbolise the strength of the colony's patriotic feeling. It was created by FJ Williamson and was the first statue of Victoria in the country. Leave a Comment Address: Albert Park, Princes Street
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The Auckland War Memorial Musuem stands on the top of one of Auckland's oldest volcanoes. The Domain is a low hill that probably won't first strike you as being a volcano, but when you look closer you will see the crater and there's even a large scoria cone in the centre.
The museum itself has become an icon of Auckland. The building dates back to the 1920s when it was planned as a memorial place to the fallen soldiers of World War I. Now, added to this function is that of perhaps New Zealand's most stately and well presented museum. This is a museum in the grand old sense of the word, yet it exhibits contemporary and interesting displays as well. For the kids, there is the consession of the discovery centre on the second floor, which was actually quite entertaining for all the adults that were there too, on the day I visited! It was interesting seeing a fully operational beehive and trying to find the queen. The cockroach display was pretty disgusting though. On the top floor you will find the moving "Scars on the Heart" permanent exhibition about New Zealand's military history, as well as the memorial rooms. Make sure you give the museum a full day. You also might want to time your visit to catch the Maori cultural performance at 11am.
$5 entry "donation". Leave a Comment
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The land in which the Domain sits on also has strong Maori associations and contains two pa sites – Pukekaroa and Waikohanga. The highest point where the Museum sits is known as Pukekawa or ‘hill of bitter tears’. It was also once known as Observatory Hill.
The main park gates are on Park Road, Grafton by Auckland Hospital, just a short walk across Grafton Bridge from upper Symonds Street. Other vehicle entrances are from Stanley Street, George Street and Titoki Street. The Link bus service stops at the Domain. Leave a Comment Address: Auckland Domain
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The old band rotunda was designed by James Slater and built in 1901. It replaced an earlier one that was erected in another area of the park. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour, all the old ornamental guns were buried and air raid shelters and tunnels were dug under the park. One of the tunnels actually intersects the paths around the rotunda like a spoke and stops directly under the rotunda. Leave a Comment Address: Albert Park, Princes Street
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One Tree Hill was once named after a lonely pine tree that once stood on the summit. One of the best views of the city can be seen from this volcanic cone that was once the site of Maori pa, or fortified village (evidence of the pa can still be seen on there) The tree was the burial site of one of Auckland's 'founding' fathers, Sir John Campbell, who played an important part in the city's early development, but unfortunately this long standing icon is no longer. In 1994 the tree was attacked with a chain saw by a Maori activist but survived, unfortunately in 1999 when it was attacked again by vandals, it was decided that the tree would not survive and had to come down. The tree was 120 years old. Leave a Comment Address: Cornwall Park,
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on June 7, 2006
on February 14, 2004
on January 9, 2005
on July 30, 2003
