25 of the Best Attractions In Auckland, New Zealand

There are so many great attractions in Auckland, New Zealand, and its surroundings that you’ll be wondering what to do first. Hopefully, some or all of these attractions will inspire you to visit, some of which most locals only get to see.

If you do not want to travel too far, you can still enjoy nature not that far from the city.

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Do you need to get around but don’t have a car? Then use public transport or the Hop on Hop off Bus Auckland Explorer Bus, which operates in Auckland.

If you plan on travelling around New Zealand, the best way to get around is by car. Not only do you get to see more, but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.

Need a Car?

If you want to book a car, try using one of these rental websites: EconomyBookings.com, DiscoverCars or Expedia.

Need Accommodation?

Try using these accommodation websites: Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia. to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day of exploring.

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All prices and times were correct when this was written or updated, but please check the websites when you wish to visit.

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Attractions in Auckland Suburbs

Point Chevalier

• Oakley Creek Walkway and Waterfall
• Western Springs
• Auckland Zoo
• MOTAT

Point Chevalier is only about 10 minutes out of the city and can easily be reached by bus, car or walking from the Hop on Hop off Bus drop-off point at Auckland Zoo, Western Springs or MOTAT.

Just around the corner from the main shopping precinct is the Oakley Creek walkway. This 6m waterfall drops into a great swimming hole popular with locals. From the Pt. Chevalier shops, it’s only about a half-hour walk through the bush beside the creek to the Waterfall.

Western Springs

Also in this area are three more attractions in Auckland: the Auckland Zoo, MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology), and Western Springs. Western Springs is a wildlife sanctuary with a lake and a 1km walkway around it. Ducks, swans, pukekos, geese, chickens, and at least one rabbit call this place home. Bring a picnic, or there are barbeques to use. It’s an excellent place for families with a children’s playing area.

At one end of Western Springs, there is the Auckland Zoo. Improvements are constantly being made, and the well-being of the animals is their utmost priority. With animal experiences to enjoy or just go through at your pace, it’s a great place for families and anyone who enjoys seeing animals in as natural a habitat as possible.

M.O.T.A.T., or the Museum of Transport and Technology, is at the other end of Western Springs. It’s another excellent place for families. With interactive displays and the history of transport and technology right in front of you, it truly is a great resource for fun education. A tram can take you to the Sir Keith Park Memorial Aviation Display on Meola Road. This large display of aircraft, both commercial and military, is on display. The tram also stops at the Zoo.

Volcanic Walks

If walking up volcanoes is your thing, then these attractions in Auckland are for you.

The most popular volcanic walks in Auckland are Mt Eden, One Tree Hill and Rangitoto Island. Add to that Mt Victoria and North Head in Devonport, and you can safely say that you walked to the top of five volcanoes while visiting these attractions in Auckland.

• Mt. Eden
• One Tree Hill

Mt. Eden

There are plenty of walks close to the city that will keep you going for days. Mt. Eden is the closest of these volcanoes to the city and only about a 45-minute walk to the top. With 360° views over all of Auckland, it is one of the city’s best vantage points, especially for the city and harbour views. It’s one of the must-do attractions in Auckland if you’re short on time but would like to get a free view of the city.

One Tree Hill

There is also One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park, which you can explore. With plenty of parkland and tracks to walk through, you can even walk up One Tree Hill for more 360° views over all of Auckland.

You can also relax in the parklands, enjoy a picnic on the grass or people-watch in the Cafe. It’s also another one of the must-do attractions in Auckland for free views.

Attractions in Auckland North Shore

Devonport

• Take the ferry from the Auckland Ferry Building to Devonport
• Enjoy the old-style architecture of Devonport
• Torpedo Bay Navy Museum
• Walk up Mt. Victoria
• Walk up North Head

Catching the ferry across to Devonport is one of the must-do attractions in Auckland. It’s a step back in history in architectural terms, a small cruise on the harbour, and history in the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, topped by views of the city and harbour from Mt. Victoria and North Head.

Both again have great free views of the city and harbour. At the foot of North Head is the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum. Small but concise, it gives a great insight into the New Zealand Navy and how it has been protecting our waters through engagement in past and present wars and peacekeeping.

Cooling down at the end of a long walk in summer is easy, with the beaches here being ideal. Picnic tables are there for you, or you can enjoy one of the many cafés in town.

Northcote

• Kauri Glen Reserve

In Northcote, a treetop boardwalk that opened on April 28, 2024, offers new insights into seeing the Kauri trees.

Only a 15-minute drive from Sky Tower, the Kauri Glen Reserve has a new treetop boardwalk that takes you 18m up in the canopy and protects the Kauri from the Kauri dieback disease.

There is a well-formed path with steps along the track as well as the 60m elevated boardwalk.

Limited street parking is available around the reserve, but you can catch the number 25 bus, which stops on Onewa Road.

This is one of the great attractions in Auckland for those who want to see a bit of New Zealand Bush and the large Kauri trees, but don’t have the time to go out into the Waitakeres.

Attractions in Auckland Harbour

Rangitoto Island

• Catch the ferry to Rangitoto Island
• Walk up Rangitoto Island and see the Lava Caves on the way, or take the 4WD train
• Kayak across the harbour to Rangitoto Island

Rangitoto Island is the most recent volcano to erupt 600 years ago. It is the only one of Auckland’s over 53 volcanoes that may erupt again sometime, as it’s dormant.

Once again, you can catch the ferry across to the volcanic island for the day. There are two options for getting to the top. You can walk up to the summit or catch the 4WD road train. A great day out for everyone with plenty of walks, including over to Motutapu Island, which joins Rangitoto. Ensure you can catch the ferry back, as there is no accommodation on the islands. If you walk up, you will have not only the world’s largest Pohutukawa forest to walk through but also lava caves to explore. Click here to find the prices and times.

Or you could always do a kayaking tour across to Rangitoto Island.

Attractions in Auckland City

The Domain, Auckland Museum and Parnell

• Explore the Domain and its gardens, including the indoor Wintergardens.
• Look through Auckland Museum and take in the War Memorial.
• Walk through the cobbled streets of Parnell Village.

The Domain is the place to be for a more sedate time in this busy city. With gardens, ponds and the two glasshouses called The Wintergarden, this is a place to get away from all the hustle and bustle of Queen Street. This is also a stop on the hop-on-hop-off buses, but you can also walk from the city across Grafton Bridge. It is also home to Auckland Museum and the War Memorial, both inside and outside the Museum.  You will find exhibitions, guided tours and a Maori Cultural Performance to teach you about New Zealand.

You can round off this visit by walking back to the city through Parnell, an upscale suburb with restaurants, cafés, galleries, and boutiques. St. Mary’s Church, a beautiful old wooden church, is also nearby.

Kelly Tarleton’s, Bastion Point and the Bays

• Visit Sea Life Kelly Tarleton’s Aquarium.
• Walk along the foreshore, visiting the beaches from Okahu Bay to St. Heliers Beach.
• Go up Bastion Point to see gardens, views of Auckland city and the Michael Savage Memorial.

Sealife Kelly Tarleton’s Aquarium lets you interact with sharks in its Shark Tunnel. You can also walk beside and under these sharks, visit the King and Gentoo Penguins, and visit play and educational areas for the kids.

It’s located at Okahu Bay, the first beach you come to on your trip around the bays. From Okahu Bay to St. Heliers is 5.3km, so you may want to pick which beach or beaches to visit. Mission Bay has the most restaurants and cafés along the strip, although all the beaches have them.

Bastion Point, just above Mission Bay and Achilles Point at the end of St. Heliers, has the best view of the city, harbour and islands. Both hop-on-hop-off companies go as far as Bastion Point, so you could walk or catch public transport from Mission Bay.

Wynyard Quarter and Silo Park

• Explore the eateries and bars of the Wynyard Quarter.
• Relax in Silo Park, eat from Food Trucks or take in a movie in the summer months.

Take a walk along the waterfront and explore the Wynyard Quarter and Silo Park. With restaurants, cafés, kids’ play areas, and entertainment, you will never be bored down here as it was. It was a hub during the America’s Cup racing carnival.

Movies in the Park, entertainment and food trucks are down here at different times of the year. Check out their websites in the links above to see what is on when you’re in town.

Sky Tower

• Go up Auckland’s highest viewing point.
• Skyjump or Skywalk.
• Visit the casino or restaurants and bars on ground level.

If you don’t have the time or the inclination to walk up volcanoes to catch the views, there is always Sky Tower in the middle of the city. There are three restaurants and cafés, including a revolving restaurant. If you don’t have a head for heights, there is always the casino, a theatre and over 20 bars and restaurants to keep you entertained at ground level. For the more adventurous, you can do the Skyjump and/or Skywalk. Fall 192 metres straight down or walk around the outside 1.2-metre-wide platform.

Where I Stayed

Auckland International (now Haka House Auckland) is a great hostel in an even better location. Right at the top of Queen Street, you are only a short walk to central Auckland, K Road, Auckland University, The Domain and, of course, Auckland Harbour.

Facilities

How To Get Here

Auckland International YHA (Haka House Auckland) is at 5 Turner Street, the top of Queens Street.

Conclusion

With so much to see and do, you’ll never be bored, especially with these attractions in Auckland.

Want to see more? Check out my blogs on what to see on the outskirts of Auckland, such as Historic and Scenic Karangahake Gorge—South of Auckland or The Best of Auckland’s West Coast Beaches.

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Links

If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.

Travel Resources

• Flights & Accommodation—You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor, and WayAway, which offers 5% cashback.
• Car Hire—Take to the open road with great deals from EconomyBookings.com, RentalCars.com and DiscoverCars.
• Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe—Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and bus travel in the UK and Europe.
• Travel Insurance is the number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master, and Insubuy keep you insured during your travels.
• Attractions—buy before you leave home with these great sites: Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
• House Sitting is a great way to save on accommodation, and Trusted Housesitters offers house sittings worldwide.
• Photo Editing is a great way to bring your photos to life, and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
• Visa Applications—apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
• Sim cards—Try Airalo, the world’s first eSIM store, which solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).

If you want more tips, try my Travel Links and Resource page.

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