Internationally recognised as one of the hottest travel destinations on the globe, New Zealand offers premier luxury accommodation. Stylish and sophisticated mountain retreats, and hunting and fishing lodges are scattered throughout the country’s two main islands, providing the perfect luxury vacation. Visitors are warmly welcomed into sanctuaries of peace and tranquillity located in the exotic and diverse scenery of this subtropical country in the South Pacific.

Luxury Accommodation In A Unique Landscape

Experience a New Zealand landscape that was isolated ecologically for millions of years, with a unique group of plants, insects, birds and animals. Lush temperate rainforests scattered through the country from north to south are home to many of these unique species.

Let your love of spectacular food, five star wines and designer living quarters drive you to explore the top end of New Zealand’s accommodation market. Golf and fishing lodges, boutique hotels and restored historic homes are ready to inject large amounts of style into your visitor experience.

Not only will you enjoy food and wine that showcases New Zealand’s commitment to haute cuisine, you can have a lot of fun building up an appetite.

Depending on where you stay, trout fishing, sailing, golf, skiing, rafting and hiking are activities that will prepare you for an evening of gourmet indulgence. Often your hotel or lodge will provide a guide to ensure you have the best possible time.

You can take for granted the highest standard of service, and the softest pillows. You can also expect a breathtaking view – the sea, a river, a lake, forest or geothermal phenomena, depending on the location of your lodge.

The landscape also encompasses spectacular mountain peaks, glaciers, fiords, crystal-clear lakes and rivers, vast plains, volcanic plateau, geothermal fields, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers. Most of the luxury lodges in New Zealand are located near to these natural wonders, if not right in the middle of them.

New Zealand luxury lodges offer a distinctive Kiwi style of accommodation and hospitality and superb wine and cuisine. There is a wide range to choose from, all with vastly different features. Take a look at three of the best.

Huka Lodge

Just upstream from Huka Falls on the Waikato River, and two miles from Lake Taupo, is Huka Lodge, a five-star trout-fishing lodge in a peaceful setting. The original New Zealand lodge, it has provided accommodation for royalty.

Taupo is home to some of New Zealand’s largest rainbow trout, and Huka Lodge can help you get the most out of the fishing with guided tours, fishing guides and transport to the prime fishing spots. For visitors who have no interest in fishing, the lodge provides the perfect antidote to urban overload. Eight golf courses are available within a 30-minute drive of the lodge. Rotorua, New Zealand’s geothermal wonderland, is a mere hour’s drive away.

Wharekauhau Country Estate

Although not difficult to access, guests can leave the world behind them when they visit Wharekauhau Country Estate, located on a 5000-acre working sheep station on the southeast coast of the North Island. The property runs between the Rimutaka Mountains and the wild seclusion of Palliser Bay on its eastern boundary.

The lodge’s sumptuous cottages offer stunning views of the ocean. Guests can experience the great outdoors with activities including four-wheel drive safaris, horse trekking, trap shooting, eco tours, coastline tours, vineyard tours, scenic helicopter flights and jetboating.

And afterwards, why not indulge in some serious pampering with one of the many luxurious spa treatments on offer.

The Lodge at Blanket Bay

Built in the grand style of the finest alpine lodges, The Lodge at Blanket Bay offers peace and solitude at the north end of Lake Wakatipu, and not far from the riverside village of Glenorchy. From there it’s a short helicopter ride to Queenstown, and to the snow-capped Mt Earnslaw Glacier, the quiet trout-filled rivers of the Greenstone Valley and the dense pre-historic rain forests of Fiordland. And it’s also an ideal location from which to begin the Routeburn, Milford, Greenstone and Hollyford walking tracks.

From absolute beginner to the most demanding and experienced angler, the lodge’s guides can tailor a fishing adventure to suit. Other exciting activities reflect the alpine setting: skiing and heliskiing, and scenic flights. The horse riding country is second to none in New Zealand. Visitors can ride through a high country sheep station into the national park areas of Mount Aspiring and Fiordland.

More Luxury Accommodation

As well as these three luxury properties, there are a number of other luxury offerings throughout New Zealand. In the North Island, Kauri Cliffs offers a golfing experience in the scenic Bay of Islands. In the South Island, try Lake Rotoroa Lodge in Nelson for fishing and outdoors, or Fiordland Lodge, near Milford Sound, one of the natural wonders of the world.

Golf Vacations

Here is a place where the glorious pleasure of a round of golf is intensified by some of the most magnificent scenery in the world. It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing on a private, public or resort golf course in the North or South Island, east or west - the views might change but the drama of it will not.

Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers:

The only level of difficulty you need consider as a beginner or a pro is in choosing where to play, and perhaps stay a while. Want cliffs that shatter into the ocean combined with a championship course? Seek out Kauri Cliffs designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, Florida. Stay at Kauri Cliff’s resort-style “The Lodge” and you’ll enjoy the spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Cape Brett and the Cavalli Islands. Kauri Cliffs is currently ranked 48th ranking golf course out of Top 100 courses in the world

Or consider brand-new Cape Kidnappers, designed by Tom Doak, (designer of Pacific Dunes, Oregon, USA). Describing playing here Brian Hewitt said in Golfweek, February 2004, “At times you feel like you are inside the womb of golf … other times you’ll feel like a missed shot will send your ball off the end of the world.”

You’ll find this stunning seaside course in the far east of the North Island, in the region made famous by its Hawkes Bay wineries. “Can golf’s eager, affluent and growing wave of travel adventurers be far behind now that there is a new jewel in the Kiwi tiara that already includes Kauri Cliffs, Wairakei, Paraparaumu, Terrace Downs, Clearwater and Gulf Harbour?” said Brian.

Gulf Harbour, Millbrook and Terrace Downs:

True, close to Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, Gulf Harbour Golf Course sits on a peninsula jutting into the Hauraki Gulf. The 1998 World Cup Golf event was held here - the only course set within a new seaside community, complete with a 1000-berth Marina.

Contrast this with the Millbrook Resort course in the South Island, near to Queenstown. Nestled within a spectacular alpine amphitheatre and challenging for both higher and lower handicap golfers, it is one of the most impressive international golf arenas in the world. Impeccably groomed fairways and greens flow with demanding hazards and meandering water courses, all enveloped by the alpine beauty of The Remarkables mountain range.

Again mountains make their mark at Terrace Downs High Country Resort. Breathe the clear air as you play at 450m altitude on the edge of the Rakaia Gorge. Terrace Downs is near Christchurch with views of the snow-dusted Alps and golden-tussocked foothills. Wide fairways, 4-position tees, seventy bunkers and 8 lakes contribute to the magic of playing ‘The Taniwha’ (Maori for a supernatural being).

Clearwater Resort:

If you want to play where many champions have putted, nearby Clearwater will more than meet your brief. Awarded the highest rating in the country by the New Zealand Golf Association, it ranks as the toughest in New Zealand. But its five different tee positions suit players of all abilities.

Designed by John Darby in consultation with New Zealand golfing legend, Sir Bob Charles, the course meanders around a succession of spring fed lakes and trout-filled streams, with uninterrupted view of the Southern Alps.

Natural contours at Wairakei golf course:

The Clearwater Classic is New Zealand’s second professional tournament and a USPGA Nationwide Tour and Australasian PGA tour event. New Zealand’s premier golf event is the New Zealand Open, played in January this year at The Grange Golf Club, Auckland.

Wairakei:

Officially opened in 1970, Wairakei International Golf Course graces natural rolling countryside near Taupo in the central North Island. With 6,429 metres from the championship tees and 108 large well-placed bunkers, Wairakei was rated 17th best golf course in the world outside the US by US Golf Digest magazine, 1996.

New Zealand’s golf courses are of an international standard set in scenery that is nothing short of out of this world. Whether you’re thinking of a New Zealand golfing holiday or just a quick round of golf during your vacation, you’ll find this is a golfer’s paradise and or simply paradise for a round of golf.

Scuba diving in New Zealand offers something for everyone. New Zealand has literally hundreds of scuba diving sites with over 15,000 km of coast line and numerous lakes and rivers. Many of these sites are world class. Coastal waters teem with colourful, fascinating sea life and the usually clear waters make for excellent viewing. The country abounds with sub-tropical reefs, wrecks, clear water springs and alpine fiords. If you are looking for a rich variety of scuba diving experiences then it’s time you visited New Zealand.

New Zealand waters are among the few virgin wonders left in diving today. The wealth and density of marine life is exhilarating.
Lying exactly halfway between the equator and the South Pole, the water and weather in New Zealand are both temperate - benign even. Below, there’s a crazy mixed-up muddled-up marine life world where coral reef crinoids exist with forests of kelp, and volcanic rock formations are covered with hard corals and seafans.

One of the most unique New Zealand dive sites is the crystal-clear waters of the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve. With its incredible range of fish, including many tropical species, it was considered by the late Jacques Cousteau to be one of the world’s top diving locations.

But there is more to scuba diving in New Zealand than just the Poor Knights. Among the other great diving areas are the sheltered Bay of Islands, the dramatic fiords of Fiordland, and Stewart Island with its breathtaking kelp forests and huge paua (abalone). Many easily accessible wrecks off the New Zealand coast also provide special diving opportunities, as do the great variety of fresh water dives.

New Zealand’s first-ever location for experiencing the profoundly relaxing and revitalising effects of Ayurveda. Here, you can release the pressures of the world, and allow our caring and experienced team to guide you through techniques and therapies that are being acknowledged worldwide as positively life-changing and beneficial to health and wellbeing; promoting longer, younger living .

In the last few decades, Ayurveda has gained recognition as an effective, safe and gentle way of boosting the healing processes of the body and mind. Ayurveda uses timeless and universal principles of natural medicine - encompassing herbs, diet, lifestyle, exercise, massage, detoxification therapies, rejuvenation therapy, meditation, and many other therapies. It is rooted in the incredibly ancient Vedas of India, some of the oldest extant texts in the world.

At Vedic Health Matakana we have adapted the 5,000- year-old principles to the needs of the modern age. One of the major causes of ill-health today is the effects of stress; and medical science is recognising the need to manage stress as a form of preventative medicine. Ayurveda and its sister science, Yoga, offer many time-tested practical and effective solutions.

All this in a serene country setting; staying in premium accommodation, and being served mouthwatering meals! You will emerge refreshed, revitalised, and ready to live life to the full! You will also take with you powerful tools to enhance your well being in a multitude of ways.

Newzealand-Family Vacations

Queenstown- the adventure capital of New Zealand, rating internationally as one of the world’s top destinations. This bold and vibrant town is famous for bringing extreme sport and the novice together in a safe and stunning environment. Add to this the world-class restaurants and cafes, live music and year round shows and events and you have the essence of Queenstown -a town of beauty, vitality and culture, all amidst a spectacular natural playground.

Wanaka- a perfect family destination - this small and still peaceful township is situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka with the area’s most stunning valleys, mountains and glaciers on its doorstep, many accessible on foot. Wanaka boasts four great ski areas plus a wide range of activities from jetboating and horseriding to the famous Puzzling World.

Te Anau and Fiordland- the gateway to the Fiordland National Park, is only 2 hours drive from Queenstown. While the rugged splendour of Milford and Doubtful Sounds are but a short journey away, Te Anau is
bustling with accommodation, restaurants and shops.

Family Fun Activities
Dart River Safari
“A journey that touches your soul”
Jetboat over 50kms amidst towering peaks and glaciers to the upper reaches of the Dart River. See film locations from “The Lord of the Rings”on the backroad journey through Paradise.

Dart Wilderness Aventures
It offers the original Dart River jet boat trip. 80kms of jetboating - the longest jetboat excursion in New Zealand, through the Southern corridor of Mount Aspiring National Park.

Shotover Jet
The world’s most famous jetboat ride in the spectacular Shotover River canyons!Our ‘Family Thrill Therapy session’ is the ultimate family fun. Experience the natural highs of exciting jetboating and fuel up on adrenaline. The trademark 360° Shotover Jet spin, the unrivaled drivestyle and driver entertainment add up to a must do family experience. Professionally trained ‘Thrill Therapists’ are totally committed to delivering the highest quality in service and safety. Excitement guaranteed!

The Bead Shop

Relax in our friendly, colourful shop. Have fun designing your own wearable art or choose from our handcrafted selection. Hundreds of colours and styles of pieces to choose from to make your jewellery unique! Birthday parties and groups welcome.

Deer Park Hieghts
Great value family entertainment: Drive through a working deer farm. Hand feed goats, sheep, deer, llamas and thar ($1 coin required).Picnic by a mountain tarn, enjoy an easy 20 minute walk, all taking in Queenstown’s most spectacular views. Location for “Lord of the Rings”.

Destination Art

Ideal for all ages.
A great opportunity to try a wide range of art and craft classes - all with a New Zealand flavour. Whether you choose an old favourite or something totally new, unleash your creativity at Destination Art! Easels for hire plus extensive range of art and craft supplies. Take home your own original New Zealand keepsake or personally crafted gift for someone special.

Shotover Canyon Swing

At 360ft this is the world’s highest rope swing. If you’re too scared to jump you can let yourself be released from our cliff mounted platform. You’ll freefall into the canyon until the ropes pendulum you in a giant, smooth 200m arc at 150kph.

Goldfields Mining Centre

Take a step back in time - you’ll find us in the heart of the incredible Kawarau Gorge. See 100 year old gold workings, still in operation. Explore the old Chinese Village and try your hand at goldpanning! Thrill to a jetboat ride through the Gorge or relax in our friendly café with sunny gardens that are ideal for the kids!
Kawarau Gorge, Queenstown - Cromwell Highway (SH6) just a scenic 45 minute drive from Queenstown.

Serious Fun River Surfing (Summer Only)

Come Whitewater Riverboarding down the Kawarau River with the “original” Riversurfing company. We have the best-trained guides, giving our riders the ultimate river thrills since ‘89 with a 100% safety record. Guaranteed excitement, entertainment and exhilaration from ages 8 to 84!

Kids Karts and Rally Karts QueensTown

Kids Karts(Min Age
Too much fun for just the kids!
These full suspension off road karts have rack and pinion steering, all round brakes, automatic clutch and variable transmission to make for easy and fun driving. Fully adjustable to suit 8 year olds to adults. Purpose built out door track. All weather activity. Safety equipment supplied.

Go Vertical Bungy Trampoline

Min Age 3 - 103
Adults and kids alike can put some extra bounce in their day with the GO VERTICAL bungy Trampoline. Multiple bungy cords attach to your harness giving extra boost and confidence to the traditional trampoline experience. Jump up to 8 metres in the air and feel your confidence and euphoria skyrocket after your first double somersault! Absolute FUN!!

Haka Pa

Maori Village -Waterfall Park
The cultural village, show and dining experience!
Visit a traditional Maori village, or Pa, set in the stunning Waterfall Park.
Immerse yourself in the customs and culture of NZ’s past, enjoy a traditional and lively performance - get the family involved and learn some authentic dances yourselves!Enjoy a sumptuous 4 course feast of Maori and New Zealand foods, cooked hangi style.

Wedding

In the South Pacific we have some of the most idyllic destinations in the world for weddings & honeymoons. We have a wonderful selection of outstanding venues to host wedding ceremonies, renewal of vows, special anniversaries or to just relax in the outstanding privacy given to honeymooners. A new trend is to “Weddingmoon�, a combination of your wedding and honeymoon; it’s a great option to take the stress and increasingly high costs of arranging a wedding at home. Want to bring the family? No problem! We can arrange all the flights, accommodation as well as the legal requirements of getting married in the South Pacific.

Aspire Down Under is excited to offer you an alternative to the traditional wedding list. Our dedicated wedding list service enables your wedding guests to contribute directly to the cost of your honeymoon. Add your honeymoon & Aspire Down Under contact details to your wedding list and your guests can then contact us directly to make their gift contribution towards your honeymoon of a lifetime. Ask your travel consultant for more details.

Honeymoon

In the South Pacific we have some of the most idyllic destinations in the world for weddings & honeymoons. We have a wonderful selection of outstanding venues to host wedding ceremonies, renewal of vows, special anniversaries or to just relax in the outstanding privacy given to honeymooners. A new trend is to “Weddingmoon�, a combination of your wedding and honeymoon; it’s a great option to take the stress and increasingly high costs of arranging a wedding at home. Want to bring the family? No problem! We can arrange all the flights, accommodation as well as the legal requirements of getting married in the South Pacific.

Aspire Down Under is excited to offer you an alternative to the traditional wedding list. Our dedicated wedding list service enables your wedding guests to contribute directly to the cost of your honeymoon. Add your honeymoon & Aspire Down Under contact details to your wedding list and your guests can then contact us directly to make their gift contribution towards your honeymoon of a lifetime. Ask your travel consultant for more details.

1. When is the best time to visit New Zealand?

You can visit New Zealand at any time of the year. Summer and winter temperatures vary by only about 10ºC over most of the country, making New Zealand an ideal holiday destination all year round.

New Zealand has four quite distinct seasons - Spring (Sept-Nov), Summer (Dec-Feb), Autumn/Fall (Mar-May) and Winter (June-Aug). In summer there’s plenty of sunshine, and activities in and around the water include rafting, snorkelling, diving and kayaking. You’ll find snow on the mountains in winter and excellent skiing. Away from the mountains, New Zealand winters are mild and temperatures generally do not fall below freezing.

2. What’s the climate like?

New Zealand’s seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. This means that the warmest months are December, January and February, while the coldest are in June, July and August. Don’t let cold months put you off - winters tend to be short and generally fairly mild.

3. What clothes should I take?

Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and -night-spots. Men are generally not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities.

In summer a light jacket or sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit the high country. You can expect some rain, so include a light waterproof jacket or coat. Pack warm winter clothing if visiting between May and September. Layer your clothing.

4. Do I need a passport or visa to enter New Zealand?

All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.

Most visitors who intend to stay for less than three months do not require a visa. If you want to stay longer than three months, or your country of origin does not have a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand, then you will need to apply for a Visitor’s Visa.

5. Can I use my credit cards/ATM cards in New Zealand?

All major international credit cards can be used in New Zealand and Travellers Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores. If your credit card is encoded with a PIN number you will be able to withdraw cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs) situated at banks and shopping centres throughout the country.

6. Are there any poisonous animals in New Zealand?

New Zealand has no snakes or dangerous wild animals, making it safe for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities.

7. Is it safe to drink the water in New Zealand?

New Zealand cities and towns have excellent water supplies and in all cases tap water is fresh and safe to drink. Water from rivers and lakes should be boiled, chemically treated or filtered before drinking to avoid stomach upsets.

8. What is the voltage of electricity supply in New Zealand? Do I need to take a converter?

Electricity is supplied throughout New Zealand at 230/240 volts (50 hertz), although most hotels and motels provide 110 volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. For all other equipment, an adapter/converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option. Please note that power outlets only accept flat three or two-pin plugs, depending on whether an earth connection is fitted.

9. What rental car agencies are in New Zealand?

The main international companies such as Avis, Hertz and Budget operate in New Zealand. There are also local rental companies.

10. Where are the international airports located in New Zealand?

New Zealand’s international airports are at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Some flights from Australia also land at Hamilton, Palmerston North, Queenstown and Dunedin.

11. When is the best time to go trekking/hiking in New Zealand?

Tracks such as the Abel Tasman, Heaphy and Queen Charlotte Sounds Walkway located at the top of the South Island can be walked all year round. However, those tracks at higher altitudes such as the world famous Milford Track, Kepler and Routeburn are closed in the winter due to snow. You must book to walk the Milford and Routeburn tracks, which are open between October and April.

12. Should I go on a guided walk or an independent walk?

If you like hot showers and other home comforts, you should book a guided walk. But if you don’t mind ‘roughing it a bit’ then try independent walking, carrying your own pack and staying in basic huts or tents.

13. What types of accommodation are available in New Zealand?

New Zealand offers a wide range of accommodation options from top-class hotels, exclusive lodges, motels, guest houses, and farm or homestays to holiday parks and backpacker hostels. You might also like the freedom to discover New Zealand at your own pace in a campervan. Two, four or six berth vans are available to rent, offering all the comforts of home including a shower, refrigerator and microwave.

14. Do I need to pre-book accommodation?

It’s a good idea to book at least your first two nights in advance, especially during the busy summer period in New Zealand - from December to February. Visit the local Visitor Information Centre to book further travel.

15. What is a ‘Farmstay’?

Farm and homestays are an ideal way to get to meet local people and experience a slice of New Zealand rural life. Depending on the kind of farm, you may get the chance to share home cooked meals with your hosts and join in with milking cows, shearing sheep, lambing, kiwifruit harvesting or whatever else is happening on the farm.

16. Which international hotel chains operate in New Zealand?

Flag, Ibis, Quality, Rydges and Novotel are found in the main centres and resort areas. Room rates range from NZ$200 to NZ$1000+ per night.

17. Where is the capital of New Zealand?When is the best time to visit New Zealand?

Wellington is the political, banking and financial centre for New Zealand. The Parliament building known as the ‘Beehive’ is one of the city’s top attractions. The National Archives, National Library and Old Government Buildings (the second largest wooden building in the world) are located nearby and are open to casual visitors free of charge.

18. What is a ‘Kiwi’?

The kiwi, New Zealand’s national emblem, is a flightless bird with hair-like feathers and a long, slender bill which it uses to pull worms and insects out of the ground. Found only in New Zealand, it is active at night in the wilderness areas of the country. Be sure to visit one of the many kiwi houses where you can watch them under special ‘nocturnal’ lighting.

New Zealanders often refer to themselves as Kiwis, and the term is also used as a short form for the famous kiwifruit. On the stock exchange, the New Zealand Dollar is also referred to as ’the kiwi’.

19. What kind of night-life is available in New Zealand?

Lively DJ and band scenes, particularly in the larger cities, have given New Zealand’s night life a renewed vibrancy. You will find a variety of night-clubs, cabarets, pubs, concerts and live performances to choose from, and there are also four casinos, in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown.

20. What types of activities are available for children?

If you are thinking about visiting with your family, you can be confident that New Zealand has a wide range of activities to keep your children happy.

New Zealand’s parks and large areas of unspoilt wilderness are ideal places to expand your children’s appreciation of wildlife and the outdoors. Horse riding, snow activities, whale watching, fruit picking and wildlife centres and zoos are just some of the choices available.

If you are visiting the larger centres, you will find a range of themed attractions including Rainbow’s End (Auckland), Splash Planet (Hastings), Marine Land (Napier) and the International Antarctic Centre (Christchurch). Te Papa, New Zealand’s interactive national museum, has a range of activities for the whole family to enjoy, including Story Place, a haven for small children.

Most family restaurants have childrens’ menus and high chairs. Many cafes also have high chairs, and a toy basket to amuse babies and toddlers is becoming increasingly common in both cafes and shops. Most public gardens have well equipped play areas for young children, as do many holiday parks. Adventure playlands such as Chipmunks or Lollipop’s Playland are always popular with the very young — these can be found in most main centres.

Visitor Information Centres are a good source of information about activities that are fun for the whole family.

Nightlife

Auckland has something for everyone — the adventurous, the sophisticated, the young, and the young at heart. From 24-hour casinos and live theater to cinema, clubs, pubs, bars, and dance spots, you can party all the way to breakfast time.

The Performing Arts

The Edge, is the cultural core of Auckland City. Located in the central area bordered by Mayoral Drive and Albert, Wellesley, and Queen streets, it includes the modern Aotea Centre, the impressive Auckland Town Hall, and the Civic Theatre, which has undergone a NZ$40 million (US$22 million) refurbishment. Another new feature is the Force Development, which includes a 13-screen Village Force Complex, an IMAX cinema, a Planet Hollywood, and a host of stores, cafes, restaurants, and bars.

The Live Music Scene

Pick up the free Auckland What’s On guide from the visitor center for the latest on the music scene. You’ll find jazz and rhythm-and-blues gigs at places such as London Bar, Wellesley and Queen streets ; Deschlers, High Street , which is popular with the 20- to 30-something after-work crowds; and Gables Tavern, at Jervois Road and Kelmarna Avenue, Herne Bay . The Alto Casino & Bar at Skycity also has live jazz performances .

The Club & Bar Scene

If you want a night with the work-hard, play-hard business crowd, head for Parnell; although these days, the older, richer devil-may-care types are flocking to Viaduct Harbour and its many nighttime haunts. The younger, funky black-clothed set hangs out in High Street/Vulcan Lane in the inner city; most of the all-night clubs, drag queens, and gay bars are along Karangahape Road; and Ponsonby is a favored upmarket place for drinks, dinner, and a general wind-up before hitting the club scene.

Placing Your Bets: A Night at the Casino

Auckland’s Sky City Casinos, Victoria and Federal streets in NZ , receive over 12,000 visitors per day! The Sky City Casino is the largest in New Zealand, operating 24 hours a day. This vast expanse of 88 gaming tables (blackjack, roulette, craps, Caribbean stud poker, baccarat, tai sai, pai gow, and money wheel), an 80-seat keno lounge, and more than 1,200 slot machines is not the most stimulating of environments — unless you’re keen to try your luck. Everyone is so earnest and intent, as well they might be, given the amount of money changing hands. Still, it’s worth a look if nothing else. The much more upmarket Alto Casino & Bar, on the third level, is also much more stylish. It’s more intimate and has live music with a strict dress code (jackets for men; jeans, shorts, active sportswear, and sports shoes not permitted). It opens at 4pm and continues through the night. The Sky City Members Club is a more exclusive, invitation-only gaming room.

You may not be interested in gambling, but I think a visit to Sky City is essential at some part of your visit to Auckland. The casinos, in fact, are not the only aspect of this multifaceted complex. There are several excellent restaurants, the Sky Tower, the Sky City Theatre complex, and one of the best contemporary New Zealand art collections in the country. The casinos are open 24 hours a day, every day.

Over the past five or so years, New Zealand’s cuisine has come into its own. Excellent restaurants have popped up all across the country, serving homegrown fare as well as a wide variety of international cuisines, particularly Asian. The local foods to try include venison, fresh fish (the salmon is especially good), shellfish and fruits like kiwifruit, passion fruit and tamarillos (tree tomatoes).

Make sure you sample a meat pie - a tasty throwback of British influence. (You can often find them made with salmon, if you prefer.) Lamb and hogget (one-year-old lamb) is delicious and very different from much of the lamb served in North America - it is much milder and similar to high-quality beef or pork. For dessert, the country’s specialty is pavlova, an incredibly sweet baked meringue flavored with passion fruit.

Note: Be aware that the wait staff will not bring your bill until you ask for it.