Viaduct Basin

This area was refurbished from a fishing port when New Zealand hosted the Americas Cup so is a swanky place to walk around and look at boats or the harbour.  The restaurants and bars are a rip off so don't waste your money and leave that to the millionaire/billionaire yachties docked there.  Instead enjoy the ample public area and getting meters away from amazing super yachts.  Imagine what your life might have been like if you were born into the modern elite, cruising the ocean on floating palaces.

Due to a fishing ban there are plenty of shell fish and algae growing in the area so you can usually see Parore, Kahawai and even Kingfish swimming around.  Check out the old drawbridge, watch boats cruising in and out of the marina, take up a park bench...Its not called the city of sails for nothing.  There are often free festivals and events hosted in the area also.

On your way there you can buy a cool drink or ice cream from a convenience store before strolling out along Princess Wharf (again avoid the restaurants and soliciting waiters) for some nice views and ocean breeze.  There are often interesting boats moored along here such as the QE2, old fashioned ocean going ships, foreign navy and research vessels.