Parakai Day Trip: A Blend of Nature, Wildlife, and Urban Vibes

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by Isabella

March 30, 2024 · 1 min read

Parakai 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day journey to Parakai, where the natural and urban landscapes merge to offer an unforgettable experience. Begin your adventure at Mount Eden, a dormant volcano offering panoramic views of Auckland, where you'll spend two hours soaking in the vistas. Next, venture to the Auckland Zoo, a sanctuary for wildlife and a perfect spot for animal lovers to spend another two hours. After the wild encounters, immerse yourself in the local culture at Farmers Queen Street, a characteristic neighborhood known for its vibrant atmosphere, where you'll have an hour to explore. Conclude your day with a visit to SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, an aquatic wonderland that brings you face-to-face with marine life for an hour. This itinerary is crafted to ensure you experience the essence of Parakai in just one day, with a mix of awe-inspiring views, fascinating wildlife, and the pulse of city life.

Top 6 Hotels in Parakai
TOP 1
Parakai Springs Lodge
Parakai Springs Lodge
hotelStar
4/5
28 reviews
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TOP 2
Hideout at Matua Kumeu
Hideout at Matua Kumeu
hotelStar
3/5
0 reviews
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TOP 3
Silver Waters Lodge
Silver Waters Lodge
hotelStar
3/5
0 reviews
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Muriwai Beach Memories
Muriwai Beach Memories
hotelStar
3/5
0 reviews
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Big Tiny Home Coatesville
Big Tiny Home Coatesville
hotelStar
3/5
0 reviews
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Riverhead Queen
Riverhead Queen
hotelStar
3/5
0 reviews
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Day 1: Auckland's Natural Wonders and Urban Delights

1

Mount Eden

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Begin your Auckland adventure with a visit to the iconic Mount Eden, where the city's natural beauty unfolds beneath you. Ascend the grassy slopes during a leisurely 2-hour stay, and at the summit, be rewarded with panoramic views of Auckland's urban landscape juxtaposed against the vast blue of the Waitematā Harbour. This dormant volcano is not just a scenic spot but also a cultural treasure, deeply rooted in Maori history.

Attraction Info

  • Auckland, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 1/1-12/31(Summer),7:00am-8:30pm;Open from 1/1-12/31(Winter),7:00am-7:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Frasers
Frasers
4.2/5 · 17 reviews
1.5 km from attraction
Grand Park Chinese Seafood Restaurant
Grand Park Chinese Seafood Restaurant
4/5 · 20 reviews
2.6 km from attraction
Sid at The French Cafe
Sid at The French Cafe
4.6/5 · 23 reviews
2.8 km from attraction
The Blue Breeze Inn
The Blue Breeze Inn
3.5/5 · 16 reviews
3.5 km from attraction
Petit Bocal
Petit Bocal
4.4/5 · 12 reviews
1.2 km from attraction
L'Oeuf
L'Oeuf
4.4/5 · 13 reviews
2.0 km from attraction
10 min,4.37 km
2

Auckland Zoo

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After soaking in the vistas from Mount Eden, continue your day with a wild encounter at the Auckland Zoo. Set aside 2 hours to explore the diverse habitats and meet the incredible array of animals that call this conservation-focused zoo home. From the majestic lions and giraffes of the African savannah to the native treasures of New Zealand's own backyard, the zoo offers an immersive experience for animal lovers of all ages.

Attraction Info

  • Motions Rd, Western Springs, Auckland 1022, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 11/1-2/28,9:30am-4:30pm;Open from 3/1-10/31,9:30am-5:30pm,It is open every day except for Christmas, and the specific business status is subject to the opening situation on that day.

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Sidart Restaurant
Sidart Restaurant
4.4/5 · 18 reviews
2.8 km from attraction
Sails Restaurant Auckland
Sails Restaurant Auckland
4.5/5 · 13 reviews
3.5 km from attraction
Sid at The French Cafe
Sid at The French Cafe
4.6/5 · 23 reviews
3.7 km from attraction
Odettes Eatery
Odettes Eatery
4.5/5 · 20 reviews
3.8 km from attraction
The Blue Breeze Inn
The Blue Breeze Inn
3.5/5 · 16 reviews
2.5 km from attraction
Dear Jervois
Dear Jervois
4.2/5 · 10 reviews
2.4 km from attraction
12 min,6.65 km
3

Queen Street

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Next, immerse yourself in the heart of Auckland's bustling city life with a visit to Farmers Queen Street. Spend an hour wandering through this characteristic neighborhood, where the vibrant energy of the city comes alive. Explore the local shops, indulge in some retail therapy, and witness the urban pulse of Auckland amidst the historic charm of this iconic street.

Attraction Info

  • Queen St, Auckland, 1010
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Orbit 360° Dining
Orbit 360° Dining
4.5/5 · 122 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
Eight Restaurant
Eight Restaurant
4.2/5 · 26 reviews
1.0 km from attraction
Depot
Depot
4.5/5 · 89 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
The Grove Restaurant
The Grove Restaurant
4.4/5 · 19 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
The Sugar Club
The Sugar Club
4.6/5 · 20 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
Baduzzi
Baduzzi
4.6/5 · 5 reviews
1.2 km from attraction
13 min,6.08 km
4

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

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Conclude your day's journey beneath the waves at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium. Dedicate an hour to marvel at the underwater world, where you'll encounter a myriad of marine life from sharks to penguins. The aquarium's unique exhibits and conservation efforts provide an educational and fascinating finale to your day in Auckland, leaving you with a deeper appreciation for our oceans and their inhabitants.

Attraction Info

  • 23 Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Auckland 1071, New Zealand
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open from 9:30am-5:00pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

De Fontein Belgian Beer Café
De Fontein Belgian Beer Café
4.5/5 · 5 reviews
1.3 km from attraction
Yard Bar & Eatery
Yard Bar & Eatery
5/5 · 1 review
3.8 km from attraction
Meadow Restaurant, Bar & Cafe
Meadow Restaurant, Bar & Cafe
3.9/5 · 14 reviews
3.3 km from attraction
St Heliers Bay Cafe & Bistro
St Heliers Bay Cafe & Bistro
4.5/5 · 11 reviews
3.5 km from attraction
Movenpick Mission Bay
Movenpick Mission Bay
4.3/5 · 20 reviews
1.3 km from attraction
Cibo
Cibo
4.7/5 · 18 reviews
3.1 km from attraction
3/50 Reviews
3/50 Reviews
Orakei
|0.78km from SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
2.5/50 Reviews
2.5/50 Reviews
Orakei
|1.07km from SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
4.8/50 Reviews
4.8/5Outstanding0 Reviews
Auckland
|1.08km from SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
4.5/510 Reviews
4.5/5Excellent10 Reviews
Mission Bay
|1.26km from SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

Top Things to Do in Parakai-2024

TOP 1
Sky Tower
Sky Tower
4.6/5 · 770 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 11,601 review
Highlights:

As a landmark of Auckland, the Sky Tower is 328 meters high and is connected with other buildings to form a huge sky city. The Sky Tower has three transparent elevators, with a speed of 18 kilometers per hour, It only takes 40 seconds to the observation deck and Orbit 360° Dining, where you can overlook the entire Auckland city. You can watch a beautiful sunset and the night view of Auckland If you go there in the evening. Additionally, the Sky Tower is also a goodplace for a high-altitude walk, which is led and guided by a coach on the 192-meter-high outer ring platform of the Sky Tower.

△ Climb the 328-meter-high Sky Tower

△ Overlook the beautiful city night view

△ Challenge more exciting projects

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TOP 2
Mount Eden
Mount Eden
4.6/5 · 464 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 3,949 review
Highlights:
Mount Eden is located about 5 kilometers south of Auckland's city center and is 196 meters high. It is the highest among the many volcanic cones in Auckland, and it is also the natural commanding height of Auckland. There is a lookout on the top of the mountain, you can enjoy the city view of Auckland. Mount Eden, named for George Eden, an earl of Auckland, has erupted several times, the most recent one being estimated to have been 15,000 years ago. This hill is formed by the accumulation of volcanic ejecta around the crater. From a distance, it looks like a large inverted conical bowl. The bottom of the pit has become a lush green space, which is very special.
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TOP 3
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
4.5/5 · 187 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 3,074 review
Highlights:

Kelly Tarton's Auckland is an aquarium converted from an abandoned sewage plant. It was completed by New Zealand marine archaeologist Mr. Kelly Tarton for 10 years. There are 8 major themes on display with its own characteristics. In the fascinating winter wonderland, you can take the Icefield Expedition Vehicle into the viewing area at minus 2 degrees Celsius and watch the colonies of King and Gentoo penguin walking on the artificial snow or diving underwater. You can also experience the excitement of big sharks and Stingrays swimming by in the transparent glass landscape tunnel of the underwater world, and witness how the mighty giant lobster coexists harmoniously with its neighbors. If you want to see it up close, you can put yourself in a cage into the shark viewing tank, or even dive directly into the shark viewing tank.

△ Watch giant sharks up closely

△ Learn more about marine life in the Southern Hemisphere

△ Watch the adorable feeding process of the colonies of King and Gentoo penguins

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TOP 4
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Auckland War Memorial Museum
4.6/5 · 254 review
Highlights:
The Auckland Museum, also known as the Auckland War Memorial Museum, is described as a touchstone of New Zealander culture and spirit. It is not only a museum showing Maori history and culture, but also a war memorial reflecting the history of World War II. 1. Overview of the Museum The Museum is located in Auckland's Central Park in the heart of the city, an impressive neoclassical building with different contents on each floor. The first floor showcases the life of the South Pacific islanders, with unique ethnic handicrafts, restored Maori meeting places and daily necessities exhibitions, including a 25-meter-long battle boat. The second floor is a natural science exhibition that includes information about the origin of the earth, the origin of life, various animal and plant materials and specimens. The third floor displays the weapons used in the world wars, etc., to commemorate the soldiers who died in the two wars. 2. Watch Maori cultural performances to learn about New Zealand's cultural history The Auckland Museum conducts rich Maori cultural performances every day, including welcome ceremonies, cotton ball songs and dances, stick dances, weapon demonstrations and Maori war dances that embody the essence of tribal culture to the extreme. The performance is 30 minutes long, and the museum is designed to be very interactive and worth savoring. Priceless Māori treasures, splendid natural history, wonderful Māori cultural performances and occasional exhibitions, must be the best choice to learn about New Zealand.
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TOP 5
Queen Street
Queen Street
4.5/5 · 248 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 1,193 review
Highlights:
Queen Street is an important commercial street in Auckland. The street is about 3 kilometers long, starting from Auckland's waterfront in the north and ending at Karanga Heipi Road in the south. The main street was built in 1840 and named after Queen Victoria. Queen Street is Auckland's prime location, and you can't go wrong here if you want to shop. 1. Feel the various classical ornate buildings along the street. The buildings on both sides of Queen Street are a major attraction. The Edwardian Baroque-style Auckland Dock Building, the 19th-century Greek Revival-style Bank of New Zealand Building, the British Gothic-style building Patrick's Cathedral, the British colonial-style Auckland City Hall, the colonial historical buildings and modern high-rise buildings complement each other, conflicting and harmonious. From the pier, stands the century-old yellow pier building. 2. Gift shops and wool products stores, Auckland's shopping paradise Queen Street There are gift shops and wool products stores on both sides of the street, selling handmade wool robes, Maori carvings, jade, jewelry, shell jewelry and other souvenirs. There is a bronze statue of a Maori warrior holding a wooden club on Queen Street, which is said to be out of respect for the Maori, because Auckland is a place where the Polynesians (the Maori are one of them) are very populated in the world. Smith & Caughey's department store is New Zealand's oldest and most beloved department store. 3. Civic Theatre, Auckland Town Hall, Sky Tower The landmark buildings of Auckland followed by the Civic Theatre. It is located at the intersection of Queen St and Wellesley St. It is located at the corner of the street, and the facade is not large. The building has been restored and is grand and magnificent. It is mainly a venue for opera, musicals and theatre, and is also an important venue for the Auckland International Film Festival. Auckland City Hall is not far away, a typical neo-Baroque building. Not far from Queen Street is the iconic Sky Tower, which can be seen from Queen Street and not far from it. It is a dazzling sight in Auckland. 4. Christmas Parade Feel the festive atmosphere One of the biggest festivals on Queen Street is the annual Christmas Parade. The event is usually held in late November and early December. Visitors should try to arrive on both sides of Queen Street several hours in advance to occupy a position with a good view. The Christmas parade fully demonstrated the tolerant and multicultural society of New Zealand. There were typical English bands, as well as Chinese dragon dance, lion dance and waist drum teams. Major companies displayed their own floats, which were very lively.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Parakai 1 Day Itinerary