things to do

Introduction

articles

Places to Stay

Places to Eat

Entertainment

Transportation

Things to Do

Shopping Centres

regions

Manakau City

Waitakere City

North Shore City

Rodney District

The City of Sails is also a city of parks, gardens, walkways, bush reserves, museums, markets, wineries, adventure activities, beaches and islands.

Auckland’s spectacular scenery and varied landscape from volcanoes to rainforest, is matched by its huge diversity of things to do.

Our major gateway city is much more than an entry and transit point. Several days can be profitably spent exploring Auckland and its environs at the start and end of a New Zealand holiday. The city can also serve as a base for day trips to major visitor attractions like the Bay of Islands, Coromandel Peninsula, Waitomo, Taupo and Rotorua.

First impressions of Auckland invariably relate to its sheer size and its sprawling suburbs. The best way to come to terms with this is to climb high. Elevate yourself to the top of our imposing Sky Tower and take in the view. While there indulge in luxury dining in the revolving restaurant or have a flutter in the 24 hour casino complex.

Drive or walk to the summit of Mt Eden, the highest of our 50 volcanic cones, and view the city and its twin harbours at your feet. Take a scenic flight from Ardmore Aerodrome and see the entire city in miniature or whisk out over the Hauraki Gulf islands by helicopter from Okahu Bay on the waterfront.

Tour options from Downtown Auckland are legion with daily departures on special interest excursions focusing on Maori culture, orchards, wineries, forest walks, beaches, flora and fauna, city gardens and volcanoes. Scenic water cruises include daily sea and land package tours to Waiheke, Rangitoto and Great Barrier Islands. Sailing, diving and fishing boats are always available to provide you with a memorable day on the water. Adventure lovers can get the adrenalin flowing with horse treks, mountain biking, abseiling and hot-air ballooning. The sky’s the limit in the outdoor adventure scene and costs are very reasonable.

A brief summary of some of the highlights and ‘must do’ attractions are as follows: - Stroll down New Zealand’s funkiest street, K’Rd, both night and day, view the priceless Maori and Pacific Island collections at the Auckland Museum, wonder at the amazing shark tunnels in Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium, gaze in awe at Rangitoto’s primeval lava landscape, see New Zealand's rarest birds on Tiritiri Matangi Island, walk and bungy on Auckland’s ‘coat hanger’ harbour bridge, do the cafe circuit in colonial Devonport and visit the fabulous surf beaches and wine cellars along the west coast. Don’t forget a visit to Rainbow’s End fun park, Victoria Park Market, the Maritime Museum, Zoo and Art Gallery - the list goes on and the fun is endless.