Queen Street and Downtown Shopping Walk (Self Guided), Auckland

To experience Auckland’s swinging nightlife, there is no better place to go than the Queen Street area in the Downtown district. A good idea it to get there around midday and enjoy a splendid pub lunch before spending the afternoon exploring the neighborhood, which has very interesting architecture and cobble stoned streets leading off the main strip. The buildings date back to the mid-19th century and they house a large variety of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.

You’ll find the main top-fashion boutiques, large bookstores and accessories shops along the high street and smaller exclusive shops in the lanes. Ride to the top of the famous Sky Tower where you’ll have the opportunity to take fantastic photos of the city. You can even try out the Sky Walk, which is not for the faint-hearted! Once back on street level, check out the superb galleries that abound in this district.

As night approaches dine in any of the excellent restaurants or grab a light meal in a cozy snack bar. For the evening’s entertainment you will find a wide choice – from attending a play at one of the theaters to laughing at local comedians in the ever-popular Comedy Club, from watching the latest film at the cinema to taking part in one of the many events organized on the huge Aotea Square.