Home of the country's largest display of aquatic life and native wildlife, the National Aquarium of New Zealand is truly captivating. The likes of kiwi, tuatara, turtle and piranha are on show, while there are several intriguing displays covering things such as dinosaurs, tsunamis and a giant squid.
But the highlight, perhaps, is the Oceanarium, where a ride along the underwater travelator will have you transfixed as sharks, stingrays and fish swim in all directions. Plus, a must–do here is swimming with the sharks — we aren't kidding — or taking a behind–the–scenes tour.