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Rainbows End | Auckland Theme Park

In Auckland and a bit stumped on what to do? Free day with friends but no plans? Take my advice, have some fun! Head to New Zealand's premier theme park, Rainbows End. As a Kiwi, Rainbow's End is something I grew up with. Back when I was young in Wellington, television ads would appear as I sat down for dinner showing this majestic theme park lead by their cult figure mascots 'Rain' and 'Bow'. Every kid couldn't wait till the school holidays for the hope mum and dad may fill the car and drive the family up to Auckland, to spend a day in pure bliss at Rainbow's End.

Rainbow's End is literally a 30 minute hop, skip and a jump down the southern motorway to the city of Manukau, and is very central to the city centre at 2 Clist Crescent (and the bus stops practically outside). 10 years on since I was amazed by these ads, Rainbows End is still going strong.
 

"Every time I have been on this ride I have been happy to be alive..."


The thing I love about Rainbows End is the high adrenaline rides, my favourite being the power surge. Scared yet? The Power Surge is a belt like mechanism that is connected to a massive beam which when at full potential has you swinging from side to side, vertical to horizontal and so on. At times on this ride in the past I have been flung straight up towards the heavens only for my seat to be rotated towards the ground and at full speed plummet towards the ground before being swooped to the left. Every time I have been on this ride I have felt happy to be alive, and mainly overwhelmed with a feeling of this is living, before I get back in queue. Its also really good because unlike most theme parks around the world, you're not waiting just to get on the attraction all day.

After the Power Surge, you gotta try the Fear fall. The fear fall is the vertigo extreme where you are lifted up a massive tower on a belt around the outside so high you can see back to the motorway. The props they use at Rainbows End are amazing and as you find yourself being risen high up into the air you look down to see a leg and an arm on the roof of the control building (giving you the impression that someone has just fallen). Being at the top of the tower is an awesome experience as you are still there for about half a minute before you are free falling back to earth. That is the best part about being at the top, you know the drop is coming, you know its not far away, but you don't know when. You free fall back to earth within ten seconds, and the ride is over (up and down in a few minutes)

A new attraction has opened at Rainbows End called 'The Invader'. A massive desk around 15metres high, this ride spins you like a carousel - only so fast that it sends g-force sensations tingling through your body. I am yet to try this ride, but hear good things. There is also the classic roller coaster. Always fun.
If you're a bit faint hearted or taking the Family, Rainbows End has you covered as well. Rainbows End provides classic rides such as the logflume (where you can get your picture taken along the journey), Bumper Boats, Family Karts, Mini Golf and Castle Land-specifically for the young one's (and the young one's at heart).

There are also several eateries along the well designed park and toilet stops in easy to reach locations. If you're driving there is a safe car park at the entrance of the park and you can go in and out as much as you want over the day as long as you have your ticket/pass-out.

All the times I've been to Rainbows End I've had a ball. I really like getting there when I have a day off during the week and just going crazy on all my favourite rides. The staff are extremely friendly, always point me in the right direction and are safety-driven. I have never had a bad experience at Rainbows End, and highly recommend it to anyone travelling Auckland or looking to do something for a day.
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