New Zealand’s most populous city, Auckland, is a place filled with diverse attractions, from sacred Māori sites to soaring skyscrapers. Situated in the upper North Island with excellent transportation links, it serves as an ideal gateway for exploring the rest of the country.
The former capital of New Zealand, Auckland is famed for both its natural and urban offerings. Within the city centre, you’ll find a vibrant F&B and cultural scene shaped by its multicultural influences – sampling local wine and seafood, and appreciating Kiwi art should be at the top of your Auckland itinerary.
Beyond the cityscape, Auckland turns into a thing of raw beauty, with uninterrupted beaches, rainforests, and natural relics of its volcanic history. There are also nearby islands just a hop and skip away, where intrepid explorers can try out fun activities such as spotting rare birds like the little spotted kiwi, and hiking.
With so much said, here are six Auckland attractions to check out!
Sky Tower
Undeniably Auckland’s most distinctive icon, the Sky Tower is a must-visit for all visitors to the city. Built in 1997, it stands at 328m high, with several thrilling experiences within the structure itself. Want to boast about the views you’ve seen to your friends back home? Check out the top observation deck, giving you panoramic views of up to 82km in all directions on a clear day, and the main observation deck, which has sections of see-through glass floors – vertigo sufferers, you have been warned!
Adult admission tickets from $37.
Address: Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010
Mount Eden
Mount Eden is the highest volcano in Auckland and its highest natural point at 196m. Also known as Maungawhau, the “hill of the whau tree” in Māori, it has much significance in Māori history. As one of Auckland’s 14 ancestral mountains, Maungawhau was not only once home to a Māori village, but it is also a sacred site as Mataaho, a deity of volcanoes, is said to live in its crater.
To fully appreciate Mount Eden, a short and pleasant walk up to its peak will reward you with amazing views of the city, and of the crater. As you begin your descent, do take time to appreciate the boardwalks beneath your feet. Designed to protect the remnants of the Māori settlement, the boardwalks are also built with minimal impact on the environment and are fully recyclable.
Don’t forget to visit the nearby Maungawhau Visitor Experience Centre to crater-dive into the history of Mount Eden!
Address: 250 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024
Tiritiri Matangi Island
Just 30 km from Auckland, Tiritiri Matangi Island is a great day trip option if you’re into learning about nature that can be rarely seen on the mainland. The 2.2 km² island is considered one of the most successful conservation projects in the world. A former farmland with most of its forests cleared, which decimated its flourishing bird population, volunteers painstakingly replanted 280,000 trees and shrubs there from 1984 to 1994. Along with the eradication of pests, native birds were reintroduced to the island. Since then, rare birds such as takahē, brown teal, and the little spotted kiwi have been thriving in the regenerating forests of Tiritiri Matangi Island.
The journey to the island is via ferry from the Gulf Harbour marina in downtown Auckland, which takes about 40 minutes. It operates daily in December and five times a week during the rest of the year.
If you feel that Tiritiri Matangi Island is worth more than a day trip, overnight accommodation is available in the former lighthouse keeper’s cottage!
Viaduct Harbour
With its buzzing food scene that turns into a vibrant nightlife spot by night – think of it as Singapore’s Robertson Quay equivalent – it’s easy to spend the entire day just hanging out at Viaduct Harbour, which was once a commercial harbour. Fun activities in the waterfront neighbourhood include mini golf and a visit to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, or you can simply find a good spot at a cafe to people-watch and admire the superyachts anchored in the harbour.
Auckland Art Gallery
New Zealand’s largest art institution and the country’s first permanent art gallery, the Auckland Art Gallery opened in 1888 and is currently home to more than 18,000 works of art. Located just a short walk from Viaduct Harbour, the gallery houses art by New Zealander, Māori, and Pacific artists, covering historical, modern, and contemporary genres. The four-storey structure is a piece of art itself, featuring restored heritage buildings and a new extension.
Admission is free.
Address: Wellesley Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010
Waiheke Island
New Zealand has plenty of islands, and Waiheke Island is the fifth largest. It packs in plenty of things to see and do, and to eat and drink. The 20 km-long island has 25 beaches, all with stunning azure waters and soft pale sand perfect for a spot of picnicking. It is also revered as a wine destination, thanks to its warm and dry microclimate. There are more than 30 wineries on the island, including award-winning wineries like Cable Bay, where you can enjoy wine tours and tastings. Like mainland New Zealand, the cafe and restaurant culture is strong on Waiheke Island, with many championing local and sustainable produce.
Other activities include visiting its many art galleries and studios, and adventurous pursuits such as hiking and ziplining. With its vast expanse of greenery, golfing is a popular sport on Waiheke Island too.
With so much to do, you’d probably want to consider staying a night or more in one of its many accommodations, such as Fossil Cove, a luxurious seafront holiday home.
Getting to Waiheke is a breeze, with regular passenger and car ferries departing from Auckland City, a journey that takes between 40 minutes to an hour.