New Zealand is on the bucket list for many travelers. If you are lucky to visit this remarkable country, Auckland will likely be your gateway into this island. Despite not being the capital or the biggest city in NZ, it’s a very important business hub.
Of course, it attracts many tourists as well, and this city offers a lot of exciting content to its visitors. If you wonder what you can do in Auckland, you probably won’t have these things coming to your mind first. This cool city has a lot to offer, probably much more than you could think of. Therefore, let’s dive into the top three unusual things to do in this amazing city.
Enjoy Rangitoto Island
Have you ever visited a volcano? Among many mythical places, they are among the most attractive ones. If you are in Auckland, you can see one by taking a 25-minute ferry ride. In case your budget can afford it, you can also take a helicopter ride to Rangitoto Island and enjoy the stunning views from the sky.
Rangitoto Island is one of the youngest volcanos in New Zealand, and it rose from the sea just 600 years ago. Visiting this volcano island is a must-do activity when you are in Auckland! The adventurers who want to reach the top of it should prepare for an hour-long walk. Those who are not in the top form and don’t enjoy walking can always catch a 4wd road train. Exploring the black lava caves is one of the unique experiences on the way up to the volcano.
Are you still afraid that the volcano may suddenly erupt? You shouldn’t worry about that, as the geologists examined it and concluded that the possibility of another eruption is around 0.1 percent. The last one was around 500 years ago, so you can fully enjoy this experience. Besides the volcano, you can visit the largest pohutukawa forest in New Zealand on Rangitoto island. Pohutukawa is a well-known tree used as a Christmas tree in New Zealand, with beautiful red flowers. Just make sure you are not allergic to them!
Taste a Unique Ice Cream
Italy is probably the first association for excellent ice cream. But did you know that you can taste one of the best ice creams in the world in Auckland? Thanks to Giapo, you can experience a great taste of this delight. It is undoubtedly the best ice cream in New Zealand, and Giapo brought the experience of eating ice cream to the highest level.
You can find the most wonderful and weird pieces of ice cream! Giapo Grazioli and his wife, Annarosa, made art with this famous sweet. It is made of traditional gelato, but the innovative approach made Giapo so famous in Auckland. This ice cream is not something that you can just enjoy on a sunny day. Giapo went beyond the expectations and made this popular dessert food looking completely different than usual.
Do you want to taste an ice cream that looks like Auckland Skytower or a selfie ice cream cone? Thanks to Giapo’s design studio that uses 3D models to create different shapes, you can find an Antarctic colossal squid or a cupid in the form of ice cream.
Tourists can enjoy other activities besides just tasting different kinds of ice cream. Visitors can take Giapo’s masterclasses to learn how to make amazing ice cream on their own. If you are interested in finding out how this looks behind the scenes, you can opt-in for a kitchen tour.
Try Out Your Luck in Land-Based and Online Casinos
Although Auckland is not the world’s gambling capital, visitors can still feel the thrill of spinning the wheel. You can get a Vegas-like experience in Auckland’s land-based casino and try out your luck in various casino games. Players can feel all the luxury and glamour, having more than 1,500 slot machines and over 100 tables available at Sky City Auckland casino.
Besides enjoying casino games in the only brick-and-mortar venue in Auckland, you can also try online gaming. Online casinos are legal in New Zealand as long as they are licensed by one of the respected authorities like the NZ Gambling Commission, the UK Gambling Commission, or the Malta Gaming Authority. This operator might bring you the best experience, and you can spin the reels anytime, anywhere. It is very convenient knowing that you don’t need to be physically present in a casino. On the other hand, you can enjoy some of the other experiences while playing your favourite casino games simultaneously. That way, visitors can optimally spend their time, not missing a thing.
Conclusion
Auckland has a lot to offer to its visitors, and there are many activities you can experience in this wonderful city. Whether you like nature, visiting the city’s landmarks, or experimenting with unusual tastes like Giapo ice creams, it will meet all your expectations. Highlight Auckland on your bucket list, and make sure to visit it at least once in a lifetime!