Things to Do in Auckland

Choose from 49 Fun Things to Do in Auckland

Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb

It doesn't take long when traveling through New Zealand to realize this country is extreme. Everything here, from the scenery to thrills, is just a little more elevated, a bit more intense, and in some ways a little more raw. Take, for example, the Auckland Harbor Bridge, which spans the width of Waitemata Harbor to bridge the Auckland coasts. It isn't enough that this 3,348 ft. span is an iconic part of the skyline, so to take it up another notch, the city has tours where you can literally walk on top of the famous bridge. The view from here, as you might imagine, is inarguably the best in Auckland, as sailboats race beneath your feet and islands dot the coast. Look to the west towards the Waitakere Ranges and the vineyards and suburbs of West Auckland, or east to the hills of Waiheke Island and the Coromandel Peninsula beyond. The view looking north stretches all the way towards Whangarei past the procession of North Shore beaches, and the southern view is a sweeping panorama of Auckland's city skyline. The only place you don't want to look is directly beneath your feet"”where 140 feet of air is all that separates the tips of your toes from the roiling whitecaps below.

Practical Info

The Auckland Harbor Bridge climb lasts 1.5 hours with tours three times a day. Minimum age is seven years old, and the weight requirement is between 77 and 300 lbs. All participants must be at least four feet tall, no cameras or binoculars are allowed, and enclosed footwear is required for the climb.

Westhaven Reserve, Bottom of Curran St, Herne Bay, Auckland 1011, New Zealand

Daily Tours 9am, 11:30am, & 2:30pm

Adult, NZD$125.00, Children (7-14) & Students NZD$85.00

From $ 92

Waiheke Island

Just a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland, Waiheke Island has great beaches, some of New Zealand’s best boutique wineries, a number of art galleries, scenic walking trails, and acres of olive groves, making it the ideal getaway. The island’s calm waters—perfect for watersports like snorkeling, sea kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding—and the relaxed bohemian atmosphere in Oneroa Village draw a steady stream of visitors year-round.

The Basics

Waiheke Island is most often visited on day tours from Auckland. The most popular experiences include food tours, wine tasting excursions, adventure tours—and simply spending time on one of the many sandy ocean beaches. Wine enthusiasts should choose a wine-tasting tour to visit some of the nearly 30 wineries, many of which have locavore restaurants attached and make for the perfect way to enjoy a vineyard lunch. Adventure and culture also abound, with ziplining, hiking, and eco tours available for exploring the island’s lush forests and nature preserves, plus ancient Maori terraces and cooking pits to be discovered on cultural bike tours.

Things to Know Before You Go

Waiheke Island is an outdoor- and food-lover’s destination for travelers and locals alike.
The island’s beaches are some of the safest and cleanest in the world, prime for swimming.
Excellent restaurants and cafes dot the island, with many offering food that complements the local wines.
Private tours offer travelers personal attention from a tour guide and the ability to customize their experience.
Sunbathers can choose between popular Onetangi Beach, secluded Palm Beach, clothing-optional Little Palm Beach, and Blackpool Beach (popular among windsurfers).

How to Get There

Waiheke Island lies in the Hauraki Gulf, 13 miles (21.5 kilometers) from Auckland on New Zealand's North Island. Fullers Ferries provides fast transport from the downtown Auckland ferry terminal (35 minutes), and Sealink has car ferries from Half Moon Bay and Wynyard Quarter in Auckland (45 minutes). Waiheke tours offer one of the most convenient ways to travel from Auckland, although it’s easy to hail a taxi or find a bus on the island. Rental cars, bikes, and motorbikes are also available for rent.

When to Get There

Aucklanders flock to Waiheke in droves in summer (December to February), the best time to hit the beach. During the less crowded month of March, some wineries offer additional experiences like the chance to stomp grapes or sample special vintages in honor of harvest time. Each Saturday from 8:30am to 1pm, a popular art and farmers market pops up in Ostend.

Waiheke Island Wine Tasting

Island wine tours often feature expert guides, combine visits and tastings at several wineries and boutique vineyards into one excursion, and leave the driving up to someone else. Some popular stops include Mudbrick Vineyard, Cable Bay, Stonyridge, Jurassic Ridge, Batch, and Casita Miro. Winery tours highlight the production process and unique terroir of Waiheke Island wine, while offering the chance to try the delicious wines.

Oneroa Village, North Island, New Zealand

From $ 92

Waitakere Ranges

The hustle and bustle of Auckland is mere miles from lush forests and stunning landscapes. The Waitakere Ranges, a short drive northwest of the city center, are home to a regional park full of dense native bush, running rivers, and enchanting waterfalls. Enjoy numerous walking trails and incredible views of Auckland and the Tasman Sea.

The Basics

Formed by eruptions from the underwater Waitakere Volcano millions of years ago, the vibrantly forested Waitakere Ranges run for 15 miles (24 kilometers) from Manukau Harbor to the suburb of Waitakere north of Auckland, with peaks reaching 1,400 feet (427 meters). If you’re a hiker or are just looking to get out of the city for a bit, the hills have a number of bush trails—from short loop tracks to multi-day treks—for all fitness and experience levels. You can walk to several large dams deep in the Ranges, like the Upper Nihotupu Dam and the Huia Dam; keep your eyes peeled for waterfalls along the way. Intrepid hikers can try the Hillary Trail, a 46-mile (74-kilometer) trek that runs from Muriwai to Titirangi, passing through Piha. On all tracks, watch for native insects, birds, and bats—the bats in the Waitakere Ranges are New Zealand’s only native land-based mammals.

In addition to full-day walking tours from Auckland, the regional park is also popular with sightseeing tours that stop here while exploring Auckland or New Zealand’s West Coast. The lookout on Scenic Drive offers panoramic views of Auckland, or peer out over the forbidding West Coast beaches from Te Henga Walkway.

Things to Know Before You Go

The Waitakere Ranges are ideal for outdoor adventurers and nature lovers.
Many of the Waitakere Ranges tracks are closed to protect the native forest from kauri dieback disease. Contact the Arataki Visitors Centre to see which tracks are open when you want to visit.
Marked by a 36-foot (11-meter) Maori pou (carved post), the Arataki Visitors Centre on Scenic Drive is full of information about the area’s history and ecology—and also offers grand views of nearby Symonds Bay. The park rangers here can help you pick out treks and tell you about the don’t-miss sights.
There is limited mobility access at the Arataki Visitors Centre and in the park. A wheelchair accessible track links Arataki with Titirangi Village.

How to Get There

Auckland’s public transport network doesn’t reach the Waitakere Ranges, so your best bet is to drive. From central Auckland, follow the Northwestern Motorway to Great North Road. Turn right at Blockhouse Bay Road onto Ash Street, then follow that road (which changes name twice, to Rata Street and Titirangi Road) through Titirangi until you reach the Scenic Drive turnoff.

When to Get There

The Waitakere Ranges offer stunning, uninterrupted views of the Tasman Sea, Auckland, and nearby beaches, so it’s best to visit in summer and fall to avoid fog, rain, or flash flooding.

Best Walks in the Waitakere Ranges

While many of Waitakere’s bush trails have closed to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease, some tracks are still open. That includes a lot of picturesque coastal walks like the Whatipu Caves Track, the Kakamatua Beach Walk, the Tasman Lookout Track, and the Te Henga Walkway.

Waitakere Ranges, Auckland, New Zealand

From $ 71

Town Hall

Grandiose in its Baroque design, Auckland's Town Hall is one of Queen Street's most prominent and notable buildings. Constructed back in 1911, the Town Hall is one of Auckland's best venues for musical performances and shows, as its concert chamber is considered to have some of the best acoustics in the world. In the Great Hall, where over 1,500 people can gather in a theater-style setting, many of the world's top symphonies and orchestras have performed for global dignitaries, and the biggest names in rock and roll have similarly graced the stage.

A permanent fixture is the Town Hall organ, which is not only New Zealand's largest instrument, but having completed a restoration in 2010, is often considered as one the world's most marvelous symphony instruments. Aside from the acoustics, Auckland's Town Hall is visually stunning from the rafters down to the floor, as stained glass windows filter light that falls on kauri wood floors, and chandeliers dangle from a ceiling adorned with exquisite plaster design. It's a building that was purposefully built to impress, and it continues to do so over a century later, right in the heart of downtown.

Practical Info

The Town Hall is often seen on walking tours of Auckland.

303 Queen Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

From $ 56

Museum of Transport and Technology

Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) is the biggest museum of its type in New Zealand, dedicated to the nation's transport, technology, and social history. MOTAT houses many attractions, including working steam trains and tramways, perfectly preserved WWII planes, and a Victorian-era village full of historical artifacts.

The Basics

MOTAT's biggest draw is its remarkable collection of old vehicles, including military vehicles, old Auckland buses, a variety of 19th- and 20th-century fire engines, and more from the last 100-plus years of New Zealand's transport history. From the museum's Great North Road site, you can take one a well-preserved tram to the MOTAT Aviation Hall on Meola Road, where a wide variety of commercial, recreational, and military aircraft are on display. In the Historic Village, step back in time to Victorian-era New Zealand while you explore a wide range of buildings and artifacts from the country's past; on Sundays the village comes alive, with a working forge, operating printing presses, handcraft-making sessions for kids, and more. MOTAT also hosts temporary science and technology exhibitions from all over the world.

Many travelers visit the museum independently, and it's also a stop on the Auckland hop-on hop-off bus. Regular visitors can pick up an annual pass that gives unlimited entry to the museum and discounts to nearby attractions.

Things to Know Before You Go

MOTAT is tailor-made for technology, science, and transport nuts of all ages.
MOTAT runs children's programs every school holiday, making it a great place to take the kids during those two weeks.
Expect to spend about four hours exploring both sites.
Automobile enthusiasts can see the museum's old vehicles get restored every Wednesday and Sunday at the Road Transport Workshop.
Refuel at the on-site Araroa Tearooms and Oriel's Ice Cream Partner.
If you're going to the Auckland Zoo next, MOTAT's tram can drop you off right at the zoo entrance.
Most of MOTAT is accessible to wheelchair users; contact the museum if you're uncertain of any areas.

How to Get There

Located just a few minutes out of central Auckland, MOTAT's main site is located on Great North Road in Western Springs. If driving, follow the North Western Motorway from central Auckland and take the Western Springs turnoff (St Lukes Road exit 6). You can also take the bus 18 to Stop 8122, right outside MOTAT Great North Road, and then take a MOTAT tram up to the Meola Road site.

When to Get There

MOTAT is open from 10am to 5pm every day except for Christmas and one weekend in March (check the website). The museum buzzes with activities and events every Sunday, but especially so on the third Sunday of each month, when the museum holds its MOTAT Live Days. On these days, the museum rolls out some of their old vehicles for rides (including an operating steam train), holds games and activities for kids, and has live demonstrations of technologies from the Victorian era and earlier.

Ride in an Historic Vehicle

MOTAT's tramways are operational every day of the week, and a number of their preserved vehicles are operational on MOTAT Live Days. On these special days, you can take a ride on a horse and carriage, on their adorable Little Flick fire engine, or on one of the museum's steam trains.

805 Great North Rd, Western Springs, New Zealand

Varies

From $ 32

Tiritiri Matangi Island

Tiritiri Matangi Island is an open wildlife sanctuary devoted to the protection of local endangered species. The island is tightly controlled to keep out predators such as cats and mice, which hunt fragile bird species, including the tiny kiwi birds you’ll see running around the island.

With about 80 species of birds, Tiritiri Matangi is a must-see for birdwatchers, and the air is rich with varieties of birdsong rarely heard on the mainland. Guided walks can help you spot and identify the various types of birds, and you can find the trailheads of walking tracks at the visitor center. The Kawaura Track winds through coastal forest and 1,000-year-old pohutukawa trees, while the Wattle Track leads to the oldest working lighthouse in New Zealand. Head to Hobbs Beach, just a short walk from the ferry dock, to take a swim and spy on blue penguins in their nesting boxes.

Practical Info

Tiritiri Matangi Island is accessible by ferry from Auckland and the Gulf Harbour. The ferry departs Auckland at 9 a.m. and Gulf Harbour at 9:50 a.m. It returns from the island at 3:30 p.m. There are no facilities or trash cans on the island, so you must pack up anything you bring.

Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Daily

From $ 53

Fullers Ferries

Even though Auckland is the "City of Sails", not every traveler has their own personal sailboat to ply the waters of the Hauraki Gulf. Luckily, the boats run by Fullers ferries make it remarkably easy to explore around Auckland. The main ferry terminal is in the downtown city center, from where Auckland travelers can embark on a day trip to various spots around the city.

For a short cruise, you can cross the waters of Waitemata Harbor to the northern suburb of Devonport. While en route, be sure to snap a photo of the Auckland Harbor Bridge which famously punctuates the city skyline. For those who are looking for a bit of hiking, Fullers offers boats to Rangitoto Island where you can trek to the top of a dormant volcano. In December and January, Fullers ferries make the 2.5-hour journey to Great Barrier Island, where you can trek to hot springs, bake on the beach, or kayak your way through empty coves. Or, if you're just looking for a leisurely cruise, Fullers has narrated tours of the harbor which point out the sights as the boat cruises across the water.

Finally, for those who want to spend the day wine tasting at Auckland's trendiest vineyards, Fullers has ferries which make the crossing to the grape-covered shores of Waiheke Island. In addition to the ferry, Fullers offers guided tours of the island, and help out with transportation from bicycles to car hire.

For Auckland travelers and vacationing locals, Fullers ferries are not only a means of efficient public transit, but a convenient conduit connecting the city with many of its surrounding adventures.

Ferry Building, Quay St, Auckland, New Zealand

Prices vary per ferry trip

From $ 52

Albert Park

With a prime location at the heart of central Auckland, Albert Park is the ultimate urban garden, with its pretty flower beds and towering palm trees set against a backdrop of looming skyscrapers and the landmark Auckland Sky Tower. With the Central Business District and Auckland Art Gallery to the west, and the University of Auckland to the east, Albert Park is among the city's most popular green spaces, and its shady benches and grassy lawns provide ample space for picnickers.

A former military barracks, Albert Park was laid out in the late 19th-century and features a series of flower gardens and walkways around a central Victorian fountain. Notable features include the historic band rotunda; the Albert Park House, now a museum; a series of oak trees planted in honor of the United States Navy's Great White Fleet; and a number of statues and memorials.

Practical Info

Albert Park is located in central Auckland, a short walk from Aotea Square.

Princes St, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Open 24 hours

From $ 25

Viaduct Harbour

Whether you’re embarking on a short day cruise from the marina or enjoying the vibrant nightlife, Viaduct Harbour is an energetic entertainment hub right on the Auckland waterfront. The harbor is best known for its food: there are more than 20 cafés, restaurants, and bars, almost all of them easily found on the harbor’s pedestrian mall.

The Basics

In the 1990s, Viaduct Harbour was transformed from an underloved port to a bustling, America’s Cup–hosting luxury entertainment district right in the heart of Auckland. The pedestrian mall that runs around the harbor is lined with high-end apartments, and restaurants, cafés, and bars thrive on the ground floor. From quiet little coffee shops, family restaurants, and fine dining restaurants run by celebrated chefs to pubs, bars, and clubs that are open late into the night, there’s plenty on offer. Theater lovers can take in a show at the ASB Waterfront Theatre, home to the Auckland Theatre Company. You can even stay on the harbor, at one of several luxury hotels and apartment complexes located on or near the waterfront.

Viaduct Harbour is also a regular departure point for boat tours out into the harbor and the Hauraki Gulf. It’s also the home of the New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui A Tangaroa, which tells New Zealand’s maritime history through exhibitions and several impressively restored historical boats.

Things to Know Before You Go

Viaduct Harbour is a lovely stop for all first-time visitors to Auckland.
If you fancy a swim or a workout, you can pay a visit to the century-old public Tepid Baths, located on Customs Street West.

How to Get There

If you’re in the Auckland CBD, Viaduct Harbour is just a short walk from the end of Queen Street—just turn left at Quay Street and keep walking. Britomart Train and Bus Station and the Downtown Ferry Terminal are all just a quick stroll down Quay Street, too. If you’re driving, take the appropriate exits off the motorway: exit at Nelson Street from the Southern Motorway or at Fanshawe Street from the Northern Motorway. There are three parking lots near the harbor.

When to Get There

There’s no bad time to visit Viaduct Harbour—a number of cafés are open from the early morning, bars are often open late, and most restaurants serve in between. Try and visit in summer or fall to make the most of the harbor views and outdoor dining.

Best Views of Auckland Harbour and the Harbour Bridge

There are multiple lookout points around Viaduct Harbour, but most of them offer views of only the viaduct itself. Head to the end of Princes Wharf, right next to Viaduct Harbour, for views across the water to Devonport, with the Harbour Bridge in the distance to the west.

Viaduct Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand

From $ 25