25 things to do in auckland

Dormant volcanoes don’t immediately strike you at the best place to build a sprawling metropolis, but there are plenty of cities across the world that are situated on volcanic activity. Auckland is one such city, and it’s full of life and adventure. What I remember of Auckland from my childhood was not the Auckland I’ve been to recently. It is more vibrant, more alive and more adventurous. Read on for 25 things to do in Auckland…

25 things to do in Auckland, New Zealand

There really is a lot to do in Auckland, and there are also some great trips from Auckland. Many of these require a car, but the 25 things to do listed below are all within the city or accessible by public transportation! From exciting neighbourhoods to quiet islands and lush vineyards, don’t miss these exciting things to do in Auckland, New Zealand!

venture down Ponsonby Road

Packed with live music venues, great cafes and bars, and a hip nightlife in addition to historic 19th century villas and good shopping, Ponsonby – ten minutes or so from the CBD – is where you want to be.

walk across lava fields

Rangitoto, one of the dormant volcanoes, is a half hour ferry ride across the harbour. I recommend taking the early ferry so that you have all day on the island. Head for the summit via the main path – through lush forests – and take in the 360 degree views of the Waitemata harbour and Waiheke Island. On your way back down, detour ten minutes to the lava caves and crawl through them.

wine taste on waiheke island

New Zealand wines are known but still relatively untapped in the major markets. Places like Waiheke Island, in the north, and the Central Otago region in the south are almost unheard of in a lot of places. Take a day on Waiheke and explore the region’s wine. (Then do the same in Central Otago.)

feel the pull of Piha

Black sand beaches – with crashing waves, wild winds, and almost a magnetic pull to them – may not sound overly appealing to you but I guarantee you that Piha is one beach you don’t want to miss. You must have a car, at least for most of the year, as buses do not run to Piha.

have a night out in the Wynyard Quarter

Auckland’s newest “neighbourhood” is just past the Viaduct Quay and chock full of bars and restaurants. The recently renovated wharf is quickly becoming a community hot spot, with markets and restaurants popping up continually. In the summer, see a movie in Silo Park every Friday night and meander through the night markets.

be reverent at the war memorial museum

There’s so much more to the Auckland Museum than just the war memorial, like a volcano simulator and Maori exhibitions, but you absolutely must walk to the top level of the museum and walk through the Hall of Memories. The Museum is located within the Auckland Domain.

get in the spirit of the game

If you’re lucky enough to be in Auckland during the rugby season, catch an All Blacks game at a local pub or get tickets to Eden Park. Watch the haka (the Maori war dance that the ABs do) here.

watch an amateur cricket match

I have this vague memory of watching men play cricket on the lawn at the Domain back when I was a child. You can find people of all ages engaging in cricket, rugby, or soccer at one of the many parks in the city centre. If you learn the rules to cricket, let me know.

skywalk… or jump off the bridge

192 metres high, 1 metre wide. Tackle your inner daredevil with one of two adventure offerings at the Sky Tower: walk around the exterior or bungee off the top. Another hair-raising adrenaline rush in Auckland is the bridge bungee. You can literally jump into the ocean from the Harbour Bridge, headfirst.

explore the museum of transport and technology

West Auckland is home to the Museum of Transport and Technology, or MOTAT, where visitors can view all sorts of interesting things. See the evolution of human technology from the first phones and computers all the way to our modern day smart phones. And view a vast hangar which houses different airplanes and helicopters, and more.

indulge your inner artist

The Auckland Art Gallery is free entry and has some great exhibits. Last time I was there, they had a huge pile of white legos for patrons to build with. Personally, I love interactive museums, so this was nice to see.

go underwater at Kelly Tarlton’s

Sea life a little bit differently (see what I did there?) at Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium. Experience the Penguin Centre, where you can spend some time on the ice with the King and Gentoo penguins, or dive with sharks, cage-free. I don’t usually condone these sort of things, but I think what Kelly Tarlton has done is rather unique.

wander through the domain

The big park in the middle of Auckland is called the Domain, and its well worth a visit. There are some botanic gardens, native tree species, and fields for sports. The War Memorial is located in the middle of the park.

relax at Mission Bay Beach

Head east along Tamaki Road to Mission Bay Beach. Relax on the white sand beaches and stroll the promenade. With vibrant restaurants, a popular ice cream spot, and tons of family friendly water activities, Mission Bay is a great spot for a day out.

walk coast to coast

Only 16 kilometres separates the coasts of New Zealand up near Auckland, so this is a hike that you can feasibly do in a day. Of course, if you want to explore the areas around the trail, make it two days. Start in Onehunga and come back into town, or start at the Princes Ferry wharf and walk out to Onehunga.

ferry out to Rotoroa Island

Rotoroa has quickly claimed the title for new artsy-cultural destination in Auckland. Only an hour ferry ride away from the CBD, Rotoroa feels like a different world. In conjunction with the Auckland Zoo, Rotoroa has established an island trust and conservation program that will see the release of endangered native species on the island over the next ten years.

explore the Auckland Fish Market

Located in the Wynyard Quarter, the fish market not only sells fish (surprise!) but also offers cooking classes and wine tastings. If you’re an early bird, stop by around 6am for the wholesale fish auction (if you’ve been to the Pike Place market in Seattle, this will be familiar) but I can’t guarantee you won’t be hit with a flying fish.

snorkel at Goat Island

Noted as one of the best snorkelling and diving sites in New Zealand, Goat Island is a world away from the CBD. It’s New Zealand’s first marine reserve, and is teeming with brightly coloured tropical fish.

climb Mt. Eden

It’s the highest natural viewing point in Auckland and has a fascinating Maori history. Take a guided tour to explore the settlements or wander the gardens on your own. The suburb – a few kilometres outside of the CBD – is home to good local art and coffeeshops.

go to the top of Manukau Heads light house

Few lighthouses allow you to go to the top and walk around the exterior. It’s free, but they do request donations, and it’s only an hour from Auckland, on the Awhitu Peninsula. Go for lunch – take a picnic – and do some wildlife spotting from the cliffs.

explore the Awhitu Peninsula

Awhitu Peninsula, the peninsula that is home to the Manakau Head lighthouse, is also home to the Awhitu Regional Park and some great little country markets. There is also a black sand beach, if you can’t get out to Piha. Take a day and explore!

people watch at the Britomart

Maybe one of the best spots for people watching in the city, the Britomart is a cluster of upscale shopping, cafes and art events. The square even has bright red beanbags in the summer, so grab a book and relax in the sun.

take a day in Devonport

A ten minute ferry gets you across the harbour to Devonport, a charming Victorian style town with great shops, restaurants and views back to the city centre. You’ll also find the Royal Navy Museum here.

pick up fresh food at the market

One of the local markets, to be exact. Auckland has a bunch, and depending on where you are, they’re all good. In addition to the farmers markets that dot the city, you can also find great local jewelry at some of the artisan markets.

fly over the city

With numerous heights to hike, you might wonder why you’d take a plane to see the city from up above, but trust me, this is a flight you won’t want to miss. You’ll get views stretching across both harbours and into the seas beyond them, plus incredible aerial views of the city. Get more info here.

Aucklanders, weigh in. What hidden gems did I miss? Have your say in the comments below!

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{image from Loic Lagarde}

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