If you’re planning a fling with the entertainment capital of the world, a trip to Tinsel Town tingles with a distinct blend of escapist reality. Beyond the time-honoured staples of the studio tours like Universal and Warner Brothers, a frolic through the Dolby Theatre, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, I checked a few other ways you can chase the stars on a visit to Hollywood. 

Located in Fairfax on Wilshire Boulevard, a lofty new entrant to the visitor circuit is the Academy Museum.  Its striking exterior was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, repurposing an old department store. Piano added the otherworldly Sphere, a soaring glass dome structure with 1500 multi-shaped glass shingles, which includes the Dolby Family Terrace – a superb perch to soak up the sprawl of Hollywood and leafy Beverly Hills, plus you’ll get an unobstructed view on the Hollywood Sign. 

This 300 thousand square foot museum houses enthralling exhibitions and experiences, turning the dream factory inside out, as it showcases the variety of creative arts central to film production. The Academy’s movie-making collection boasts more than 13 million exhibits that it can draw upon. One of the starring attractions is the Stories of Cinema galleries, which includes a great exhibition of invented characters, including the original R2-D2 and C-3P0 proudly on display. The props and wardrobe galleries are treasure troves.  

Photo / Mike Yardley

Get up close with evocative pieces of movie history like Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz; the menacing extraterrestrial headpiece worn in 1979’s Alien and the last surviving full-scale shark model from Jaws. A recent entrant is that pink suit Austin Butler wore in last year’s Elvis movie. I surrendered to the cheesiest tourist gimmick. The Academy Museum’s immersive Oscars Experience simulation enables you to enjoy the sensation of having our name announced as an Oscars winner, accepting the award to a rapturous surround screen audience in the Dolby Theatre, while you lift a real 8.5kg Oscar in triumph. The experience is videoed of you giddily accepting the award. When in Hollywood…. 

The City of Angels is legendary for its insatiable car culture. Steeped in the city's DNA for generations, an essential destination for gearheads is the truly spectacular Petersen Automotive Museum, right across the road from the Academy Museum in Museum Row. Celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, the museum houses one of the best collections of classic and modern cars in the world. From blockbuster exhibits like Hollywood Dream Machines to the Forza Motorsport Racing Experience, it’s an epic encounter.  

But it’s the Hollywood connection that will wow you, whether it’s admiring the Batmobiles from the Batman TV series and movies, the Back to the Future’s DeLorean, the Herbie VW Beetle, Lightning McQueen from Disney’s Cars, Magnum PI’s Ferrari and Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder. Down below, The Vault at the Petersen is another bucket list experience - an extraordinary collection of 250 iconic and rare cars from around the world. I was staggered at just what lurks in The Vault. Exhibits include a 1998 Cadillac Popemobile, Saddam Hussein’s 1978 Mercedes-Benz 600 Landaulet and an armoured 1988 Mercedes-Benz SEL that transported Ferdinand Marcos. Get amongst it! 

Photo / Mike Yardley

For a next-level, celebrity-spotting foray in Hollywood, why not join a Paparazzi Safari? I joined one of Jeremiah Smalls working walking tours, which zips you about the hottest celeb haunts in West Hollywood. He’s spent 5 years working for TMZ as a freelance paparazzo, and has an intimate knowledge of pop culture's ins and outs. Over the course of 90 minutes, I felt immersed in LA’s celebrity culture as we staked out celebs at various hip venues, based on the latest intel and tip-offs. Major catches of the night were Jamie Lee Curtis, Chrissy Teigen and the NFL’s Michael Irvin. We interacted with a bunch of fellow paparazzi who were highly engaging, entertaining and eager to show their prized snaps. Jeremiah shared a stack of industry insights, from how competitive and addictive the chase can become, to the eagerness of so many stars to be snapped in the right places. Pap publicity keeps them relevant. To tee up a tour, email [email protected] 

Michael Irvin caught on a Paparazzi Safari in West Hollywood. Photo / Mike Yardley

Taking a Paparazzi Safari also gives you the skinny on the hottest, on-trend playgrounds. Craig’s Steakhouse in WeHo is very hot currently, as is The Abbey, Catch Steak, Sur, Koi and Nobu. Then there’s Dogpound Gym, where Justin Bieber regularly trains. Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Ave boasts the biggest array of celeb-attracting venues. Also trending in this neighbourhood are Gracias Madre, Doheny Room and Dan Tana’s. On the Sunset Strip, a hot brunch spot is La Petit Four. 

If you’re planning on ticking off Tinsel Town’s key attractions, purchase an LA Sightseeing Pass, brimming with over 50 attractions and offers. The Sightseeing Flex Pass allows you to select how many attractions you want to see - and steeply discounts the price tag. Save big on the best attractions! An absolute must is Star Track’s Hollywood Tour, a rollicking romp all over Tinsel Town, in a roofless luxury van, showcasing the most spectacular views, iconic landmarks and dozens of movie star homes. On my two hour tour, our hilarious driver/guide, Daniel, spotted Sean Astin of The Goonies fame. Suddenly we found ourselves throttled into a paparazzi-style car chase in a bid to find out who was in the car with Sean. Every tour is unique and serendipitous! www.sightseeingpass.com 

Similarly, if you’re looking for a hop-on, hop-off tour, to scoot you around the major tourist attractions and legendary landmarks, plus some surf time at Santa Monica and Venice Beach, Big Bus Tours offers two fantastic loops, with a comprehensive on-the-go commentary. www.bigbustours.com 

Ground transportation to and from LAX can be a hassle. Eliminate the stress by booking an ADA Pro shuttle, servicing greater Los Angeles, including Burbank, Long Beach and Anaheim. You’ll be in the best of hands with friendly, professional, reliable drivers, kerbside pick-up, super-clean air-conditioned vehicles, 24/7 service, and affordable rates for all of your travel needs. Ride with ease, arrive in peace. www.adapro.vip 

Air New Zealand flies direct between Auckland and Los Angeles everyday, with the full-range of cabin products to choose from. Skycouch is available in Economy, while Premium Economy is a great mid-range option including premium check-in, premium seating with increased leg room plus fine cuisine & beverages. For the best sleep in the sky across the Pacific, splash out on Business Premier, entitling you to complimentary lounge access, premium check-in, luxurious leather armchair seating which converts into a fully lie-flat bed, plus fine cuisine & beverages. With well-timed overnight flights, I slept well and felt fully rested across the Pacific. 

Photo / Supplied

A winning new initiative being rolled out on all 18 widebody jets is the live Sport TV channel. Sport 24 connects you to unmissable sporting events including the Rugby World Cup, Premier League, US Open, NRL, AFL, NFL, and much more. It was quite the novelty to watch the All Blacks live at 37,000 feet. Air New Zealand has also just launched a trusty baggage tracking feature to its app. Whether you’re travelling on the airline’s domestic or international services, you can now track the last recorded status of your bag as it makes its way through the airport processing system, onto the aircraft, and finally, arrives at its destination. For best fares and seats to suit, jump to www.airnewzealand.co.nz 

Mike Yardley is our resident traveller on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings.