Casinos and Culture: A Traveler’s Journey Through New Zealand’s Gaming Hubs
So, you're traveling to New Zealand! How exciting. The Island Nation in the far southwest of Oceania is famed for its thermal springs, black-sand beaches, beautiful lakes, sheep, and rugby.
Whether you're visiting in the fall, spring, or summer, New Zealand has overflowing natural beauty all year long. In this article, we'll take you through NZ's biggest cities. We'll show you the best places to spend money, especially if you relish gaming. Let's get started.
Queenstown: Best for Outdoor Adventures
Located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is the best city in NZ for outdoor thrill seekers. The lake is nested beneath snowcapped mountains, which makes it an excellent location for skiing.
If you have a weekend to spend here, you can hike at any of the seven mountains in this city. You can cycle or enjoy water activities on Lake Wakatipu. You can also visit the history towns of Arrow town or go wine tasting in the Gibbston Valley.
Gaming Detour: SkyCity Auckland
New Zealand’s biggest casino ranks among the best gaming establishments in the world. The magnificent casino hotel features 300+ lavish rooms, spas, a gym, and a swimming pool.
It is surrounded by restaurants and bars, meaning you don’t need to leave the establishment to sample Auckland’s best dishes. SkyCity has the biggest gaming floor in the country. It offers more than 1000 slots and over 100 table games.
Interestingly, you don't need to step foot in SkyCity to play slots and poker in New Zealand. Online casinos even though they're mostly offshore companies. You can have immense fun at 5 dollar deposit casinos, most of which welcome you with 100%-matched bonuses.
Gaming Detour: Sky City Queenstown
After a wonderful day spent in the mountains, SkyCity Casino is the best place to relax and enjoy your evening. Here you can eat and drink New Zealand’s legendary meals. Or you can head straight to the gaming floors.
The casino is equipped with 86 slot machines and a dozen table games. You can play blackjack, baccarat, poker, roulette, or slot machines. If you're a sports fan, you can also watch rugby on the big screen within the casino.
Auckland: Must-visit City in New Zealand
If you can only visit one place in NZ, the country’s biggest city is a great representation of what the nation offers. Auckland is home to nearly two million people.
It is a melting pot, with people from different European and Asian heritages, Maori, Pacific Islanders, Africans, and Latin Americans. In light of that mixture, the food in Auckland is amazing. Restaurants here are major in everything the world offers, from Argentinian Barbecue to fish and chips.
If you’re an adventurist, start by checking out the city from the city’s tallest skyscraper: the Sky Tower. Next, head to the black-sand beaches outside the city, or tour its unique islands and wineries.
Christchurch-Canterbury: Best City to Preview Antarctica
Nicknamed Quake City due to its constant earthquakes, Christchurch is a beautiful city in the southern part of the country. It is close to Antarctica and features penguins and large ice sheets.
If you have no plans to visit Antarctica, Christchurch is still a great place for tourists. Once dominated by classic British architecture, the city has been rebuilt to take a modern multicultural look.
Outside the city, Christchurch is an adventurer's heaven. It has stunning turquoise lakes, beaches, and mountains. It also features a museum with the skeletons of extinct birds, dinosaurs, and other animals.
Gaming Detour: Christchurch Casino
Armed with 450 slot machines and 32 table games, Christchurch Casino offers everything you would want in a gaming hub. Its games come from the best software providers in the world, meaning they’re safe and fun to play.
Like every great casino, Christchurch runs promotions throughout the week. Depending on when you visit, you can win free cocktails, slot bonuses, or food discounts.
Dunedin: Best City of Sandy Beaches
Dunedin is historically a university city. It was founded after the success of the University of Otago, the country’s oldest institution of higher learning. Students make up a fifth of the entire city. But that’s okay.
If you’re in NZ to have fun, there are many great places to take Instagram photos in Dunedin. You can watch yellow-eyed penguins at Penguin Place, check out the breeding colony of Royal Albatrosses, or take yacht rides in the Pacific Ocean. The city's beautiful beaches are a popular tourist destination, especially Tunnel Beach and St Kilda Beach.
Gaming Detour: The Grand Casino
Opened every day of the year except for Christmas and Good Fridays, the Grand Casino is small but beautiful. It is located on an iconic building, surrounded by natural beauty and armed with hundreds of games.
Dunedin runs incredible promotions weekly, usually giving away home appliances and cash prizes. It also features a restaurant with classic Kiwi delicacies and drinks.
Hamilton: Best City for Hikes and Walks
Located two hours north of Auckland, Hamilton is a beautiful city with lots of great places to tour. The Hamilton Gardens are the perfect place to take a family of adventurers.
While in the city, make sure to admire its colorful wall art. The Waikato Museum can offer a historical tour of the Maori Culture while Hamilton Lake is a quiet escape from the busy city.
Gaming Detour: SkyCity Hamilton
SkyCity is located at the heart of Hamilton City. It is beautiful, open daily and armed with more than 300 quality games. Weekly promotions make gaming at SkyCity Hamilton enjoyable: you can win cash prizes and giveaways.
While most people visit to play slots and blackjack, you can also play bowling or indoor golf.
In Conclusion
Almost every major city in New Zealand has something unique to offer. Auckland, the biggest city, is a melting pot with unique cultures, food, and drinks. Hamilton and Christchurch are awash with natural beauty.
If you enjoy casino gaming, you'll find a casino in every city we've mentioned. Wellington, the capital, is the only major city without a casino. Despite that, it is visiting.
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