Auckland is the most populous city in New Zealand and, as such, offers a great deal of activities. No matter what a traveller looks for, they’ll find it here.
Auckland is a stunning harbourside city during the day, yet it really turns on its charm when the sun sets. So, what is there to do after dark? Plenty! Let’s look at activities that get hearts racing, delicacies that foodies will love and options for those more culturally inclined.
Activities With an Adrenaline Hit
New Zealand is well known for its extreme sports like bungee jumping, jet boating and zorbing. Travellers don’t need to venture further than Auckland to get their adrenaline hit. And the stakes are even higher after dark. Here are three examples:
Sky Tower
Auckland’s Sky Tower is in the city’s heart and rises to 192 metres. At the peak is a revolving restaurant and lookout with 360° views. There are two adrenaline-packed activities visitors can do from the top of the tower, and if timed correctly (June/July), they can experience them as the sun sets.
● Sky Walk: Venture out onto a glass platform with no handrails. The truly adventurous can choose to lean over the edge.
● Sky Jump: With the security of a harness, step off the tower’s edge and rush towards the ground at speeds of up to 85 kph before landing safely at the bottom.
Abseil Into Piha Canyon
Piha is a black sand beach 40 km from Auckland. Although it may sound far, the tour picks up and drops off in the city’s centre. Piha Canyon is a spectacular volcanic rock valley with waterfalls and caves.
Most tours are provided by day, but the nighttime one is well worth considering. It’s 1.5 hours of abseiling illuminated by only a headlamp and glow-worm tails (if the season permits). The experience includes canyoning behind a waterfall, through a cave and into a pool.
Try Your Luck at the Casino
A night at Auckland’s Sky City Casino is just the ticket for an adrenaline rush with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Imagine the excitement as the roulette ball lands on your choice of black or red, or the blackjack dealer delivers you the winning card.
Before deciding on a game, spend some time walking around the tables. Like your favourite online casino games, you will surely find a table game that typically requires a small deposit but also high-stakes ones, so ensure you factor that into your choice.
Except for Christmas Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day, the casino is open 24/7.
Adventures for Foodies
New Zealand has some of the most delicious produce on the planet. Auckland is well-known for its brunch scene, but foodies will also enjoy exploring the nighttime offerings. Here are three suggestions for connoisseurs:
Orbit Restaurant
You don’t need to be an adrenaline junkie to visit the Auckland Sky City tower. Accessed by an express elevator, Orbit is the name of the unique restaurant on the top floor that revolves 360° twice an hour. Look down at your plate for a moment, then look back up, and watch the scenery change.
The set menu is seasonal and is sourced from local produce. The dinner service begins at 5 pm and finishes at 11 pm.
Auckland Night Market
Something unique about Auckland’s night market is that its location changes daily. This strategy allows people staying multiple nights in the city to have different experiences.
Every food vendor must adhere to the city’s strict food control plan, guaranteeing safe and delicious meals for all visitors. The broad selection is a shout-out to the town’s multicultural nature, with cuisine representing every corner of the globe.
Once you’ve finished eating, wander around the other stalls where local artisans present their work. You may discover the perfect knick-knack for your home.
Dinner Cruise on the Harbour
Auckland is blessed to be a city on a harbour, and the ultimate way to experience it is on a sunset cruise with cocktails and a three-course dinner. The 2.5-hour adventure sails into the harbour, where visitors can enjoy the sunset and live music. On the return to Auckland, they can witness the spectacle of the city lighting up for the evening.
Several operators offer dinner cruises; check online or with your hotel’s tour desk to source the best one for you.
Culture Vulture Highlights
Visitors who enjoy culture will find plenty of nighttime activities in Auckland; here are two suggestions:
Boutique Cinema
Auckland is home to five boutique cinemas offering the best local, international, indie and foreign-language films.
Unlike regular cinemas, boutique ones offer a higher class of food and beverages. Forget your popcorn and cola; gourmet snacks and craft beers are the way to go.
Boutique cinemas regularly schedule director Q&A nights, themed screenings (Rocky Horror Picture Show, anyone?) and film festivals.
Stargazing
Visitors from the Northern Hemisphere can see various constellations they’ve never viewed before, like the Southern Cross, Centaurus and Carina, as well as a brighter view of the Milky Way. There are numerous places to stargaze in Auckland, like Shakespear Regional Park on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula or Great Barrier Island (Aotea).
Some tips for the best views are to get away from the city lights and time your visit when there’s a new or waning moon — the stars are brighter then.
No matter what kind of traveller you are, Auckland is one of those cities that aims to satisfy equally by day or night. Adrenaline junkies will enjoy jumping from towers or abseiling into canyons, and foodies will love the local produce delivered high in the sky or while sailing into the sunset. Movie lovers will enjoy visiting boutique cinemas, and stargazers will see new clusters in the night sky.
Auckland is ready and waiting; isn’t it time you visited?
Planning a trip to Auckland? Read these posts next:
- 11 Best Brunch Cafes in Auckland for 2023
- An Auckland Itinerary for Four Days
- 8 Best Views in Auckland, New Zealand
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