Things to See in Auckland

Budding astronauts, astronomers and stargazers will love Stardome's shows, designed for all ages. Screened on a domed ceiling, shows explain everything from how the earth moves to how to measure the universe.

One of New Zealand's premier art collections is on show at this gallery, which is housed in two stately buildings . An extensive permanent collection of NZ art (including Charles Goldie's stark Maori portraits of a vanished age) and contemporary art are now on show in the one building, the New Gallery, while the main gallery is refurbished.

Although the Auckland Zoo is not huge, it has spacious, natural compounds. The primate exhibit is well done, and the African animals' enclosure, Pridelands, is excellent, as is the meerkat domain, which can be explored through tunnels. The coy kiwi makes a daily appearance at the Native Fauna Encounter, as does the tuatara - a rare reptile found only in NZ.

This monumental-looking museum sits atop a sweeping expanse of lawn that forms part of the Auckland Domain, one of Auckland's oldest parks. The museum has a comprehensive display on Pacific Island and Maori culture on the ground floor, including a magnificent 25m-long war canoe.

It's like Homer Simpson's dream come true. Lion Breweries has turned its plain old brewery tours into an interactive 'beer experience'. Two-hour tours are held daily and include a history of brewing, an audiovisual presentation, a virtual tour of the brewing process and, of course, some quality time spent sampling beers in a replica brew house.

Would you like drag with your steak? Your three-course set meal (around 50.00) comes with lashings of torch-song tunes, repartee and cheek (both buttocks and behavioural varieties) delivered by your drag queen-diva waitresses. Best you book a babysitter, and book ahead for dinner at Caluzzi.

Built for laughs, the Classic has proven to be the city's top comedy venue. See local comedians and comediennes stand up (and sometimes fall) during the venue's regular performance programme. Main shows are Thursday to Sunday and there's an open-mike night most Mondays. A bimonthly calendar of events is available at the door.

Auckland's most adored cinema, Lido's well-padded seats in its two licensed theatres make it the people's choice for seeing a flick. Couples should book the back row with removable armrests. Lido screens art-house, foreign and the odd Hollywood film.

Old school through and through, this dim and moody café has businessfolk clustered at its teeny tables both inside and out on Vulcan Lane. At breakfast, there is Eggs Benedict done three ways: veg, regular and with salmon. Or dip your spoon in delectable stewed fruit or porridge. Later at lunch, the menu moves to bagels and curries.

A comprehensive list of Italian and NZ wines accompanies Toto's choice of fine Italian fare. And dinner ain't over in the Montecristo Room till the fat lady sings, with set menu and opera singing available Saturday. Movie and music nights also feature.

Sheinkin stands out amongst the other eggs-and-coffee joints in Auckland's CBD due to its stellar Israeli-inspired food, quality coffee and unhurried atmosphere. They do a fabulous tasting plate, soups and salads and there is plenty of glossy reading material to peruse while you wait for your bagel.