A well-spent afternoon in Auckland’s CBD

Have a few hours spare in your Auckland itinerary and looking for inspiration? Here’s our idea of the perfect weekend afternoon spent in the city of Auckland, all within walking distance of downtown!

Ahi
Looking out over the Waitemata Harbour, Ahi is the realisation of a lifelong dream and a concept straight from the heart for friends, Chef Ben Bayly and Front of House professional Chris Martin. Both have their roots in fine dining and have come together, with business partner Rebecca Nelson to create Ahi. After meeting the nation’s growers and suppliers, Ben has developed his own definition of what New Zealand food truly is. Ahi’s menu has been devised as a culinary representation of what it means to be home, celebrating the diversity of the New Zealanders who bring produce to our tables.

Details:
Level 2, Commercial Bay, 7 Queen Street, Auckland, 1010
0225 244 255
https://www.ahirestaurant.co.nz/

All Blacks Experience
This recently-opened All Blacks experience, a joint venture between New Zealand Rugby and Ngāi Tahu Tourism, is conveniently based in the heart of Auckland city, at the SkyCity Precinct. It is a fully-guided, state-of-the-art, interactive showcase featuring New Zealand’s national rugby teams. A 45-minute guided tour of this sensory and interactive experience celebrates New Zealand’s rugby heritage, achievements, and culture. Following the tour, visitors have access to the Step-Up zone, an interactive space where they can fire up their competitive spirit and burn off some energy by racing against the clock in the agility sprints and comparing their kicking, catching, lineout and accuracy skills to current All Blacks and Black Ferns players.

Tours depart every 30 minutes, and the tour duration is 45 minutes. To book tickets, click here.

Details:
Level 4, 88 Federal Street, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
https://www.experienceallblacks.com/

Weta Workshop Unleashed
Located also at SkyCity is the Weta Workshop Unleashed, a new immersive tourism experience from the special effects company behind blockbuster movies The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In the 90 minute tour, guests step into a fantastical film effects workshop and explore the worlds of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy in the making. This is a journey through Weta Workshop’s creative process that needs to be seen to be believed.

The Weta Workshop Unleashed tour duration is 1.5 hours. It is advised to book online ahead, via the following link: https://tours.wetaworkshop.com/unleashed/tickets/.

Details:
Level 5, 88 Federal Street, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
https://wetaworkshopunleashed.com/