A day in Auckland

When in Auckland recently rain was forecast, so we decided we’d get a $40 ticket and do a circuit on the Hop on/Hop off Explorer Bus to get our bearings and see the sights, whilst remaining warm and dry. So after a short stroll along Queen Street to the Ferry Building, we boarded our bus and was informed by the driver “rather than complete a circle first, we should visit the attractions as we come to them”.

First stop was Bastion Point Lookout which offers fine views over Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata Harbour but due to the weather we agreed to stay on the bus and check out the next stop. Stop 2 is Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life and we decided as the bus stopped at the door and the next bus would be by in 30 minutes to get off the bus and check it out.

 

 

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Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life is promoted as housing the world’s largest penguin colony, biggest species of stingray and only display of Spiny Sea Dragons and New Zealand’s largest collection of sharks and only live jelly fish display. We paid our entry fee of $36  (less a 10% discount from the Explorer bus ticket).  We learned famed New Zealand marine archaeologist Kelly Tarlton created this extraordinary aquarium to share his love of the ocean and its creatures with the world.  As we head for the Antarctic Encounter we came across an Antarctic Snowcat so we stop for photos. Then we are taken back into time to the coldest place on the earth and a life-sized replica of Scott’s hut.  We share a glimpse of what it was like 100 years ago when South Pole explorer Captain Robert Scott, on his expedition took cans of curried rabbit, slept in reindeer sleeping bags, and even took a Singer sewing machine, printing press, typewriter and a Pianola for entertainment. Maybe a harmonica would have better option.

We exited the hut display and traversed through the “Ice Encounter”, a walkway inside a turning cylinder that can actually make you feel quite disorientated.  Then into the “Antarctic Ice Adventure” where we get a fish eye view of the penguins as they play and swim underwater. For as uncoordinated as they look on land they are super-fast in the water. Past this we head for the snow and ice where we find frolicking in the white wilderness a colony of sub-Antarctic King and Gentoo Penguins.  King Penguins grow to almost 1 metre tall and have yellow marking on their head and neck while the smaller Gentoos are easy to spot with the white strip across their heads. Seeing the penguins up close in their icy domain is pretty amazing and I secretly hope one will dance for me like in Happy Feet, we named him Mumble. They were so cute Mumble kept following us along the glass walls as we walked around, it was almost like he was smiling at us and coaxing us to take another picture. There was also a baby King Penguin which was born in January.  He was very fluffy and brown in colour and almost the same size as the parents.  He was so uncoordinated and he kept poking his arm out and almost knocking over the other penguins around him, quite funny to watch.

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From here we went through to the jelly fish display where there’s a documentary screening the “Kelly Tarlton’s Story”, what an amazing man and so many achievements. Along the way there is an interactive quiz trail for junior explorers as they journey through Sea Life.  As Steve settles in to watch the documentary I go back and spend more time mesmerised by the penguins and keep having flashbacks of the movie Happy Feet. I’m in my element. Once the documentary finishes we proceed to the “Stingray Bay”, a huge tank that shows off the stingrays at their best. A giant 350,000 litre open topped acrylic tank allowing visitors to see these remarkable winged creatures interact with staff. Try to be there at feeding times as you will get to see some of the antics these ocean flyers get up to, and listen to an informative talk by one of the handlers. It is almost as if they are having cuddles, smooching up with staff.

The “Stingray Bay” area also incorporates a café, shop and “Touch Pool”. I’m sure the little critters didn’t want me touching them as in the same way I didn’t want them touching me. Photo opportunities for the budding photographer as they have an oversized penguin with face cut-outs where you can pretended to be a penguin, one of the staff members was happy to take our photo.

Before moving on to the “Underwater Experience” we take 5 minutes to sit down and watch another informative documentary showing the construction of “Sea Life”. We then move to the “Underwater Experience“ by a uniquely designed moving walkway that transports us through clear acrylic tunnels for a firsthand experience of deep-sea life.  Through the tunnels we’re surrounded by two million litres of ocean water and hundreds of awesome sea creatures within it.  We get up close and personal with Bronze Whalers, a two metre wide stingray, other stingrays, sharks, sea turtles and a host of beautifully coloured creatures.

Just as we think there could be no more to see we stumble upon more large tanks with many sea creatures including Moray Eels, magical Seahorses, huge crayfish and some of the world’s most poisonous fish.  In all, Kelly Tarlton’s have over 30 live animal displays, over 80 different species, over 3 million litres of water and produce 4 tonnes of snow created daily.

On the way out you can’t miss the very comprehensive gift shop, a couple of fridge magnets shouldn’t break the bank. Whilst browsing be sure to visit the wonderfully decorated restrooms. Exiting there will be someone spruiking souvenir pictures they took earlier, we have been superimposed onto glaciers and into a deep sea picture. A bit cheesy but a great little package including a DVD with pictures and more information, a must buy. Now we really thought that was it, but no, lovely Lisa is at the exit way conducting the optional exit survey we are happy to complete.

Although when we ended our visit of Kelly Tarlton’s we found the shark bus outside which transports visitors to and from the city centre for free, however we continued our journey on the Explorer bus. On-board we caught a glimpse and heard about the Parnell Rose Gardens, saw the Holy Trinity Cathedral and drove past the Auckland Museum. The journey continued through the Parnell Village, New Zealand’s oldest suburb famed for its galleries, restaurants and charming boutique style stores and back into Queen Street to the Sky Tower which at 328m is the tallest made-made structure in New Zealand. Here we ended our bus ride in search of coffee and free Wi-Fi to attend to some emails, check Facebook, etc. We stopped at Esquires for a great coffee and quick snack. As we enjoyed our coffee we reflected on what we’d intended to be a relatively short visit but ended up occupying most of the day. Sure, had the weather been a little better we would have taken in more of the city, but that’s for another trip.

Our last day in New Zealand, what a wonderful country allowing us to sample more incredible experiences.

Have you been to Auckland? What did you do there?

Kia ora ~ Lyn & Steve 

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