24 unique things to do in Auckland: A guide for the curious
New Zealand’s biggest city has outstanding bars and restaurants, and surprisingly accessible nature.
Here is my local guide to the top activities in Auckland.
New Zealand’s largest city, known locally by its Māori name, Tāmaki Makaurau, has some of the best dining, drinking, and shopping in the country.
It might be easy to write Auckland off as just the entry point to New Zealand — a lot of locals will probably tell you to skip straight past the city — but if you have a couple of days to spare, there’s plenty to do in Auckland and the surrounding area.
I’ve called Auckland home for years — these are my favourite things to do in the city.
Auckland has several classic tourist activities, but you won’t find many ‘big ticket attractions’ on this list.
Instead, I want to show you some unique, weird, alternative and off-beat things to see, do and experience in Auckland – the kind of things that a local friend would show you.
6 quick tips for visiting Auckland
Before diving into the best things to do in Auckland, here are a few quick tips to make the most of your trip.
Stay in Britomart or in Ponsonby if you can. These are the nicest areas for visitors.
Buy a local SIM card when you arrive (I recommend Skinny) which is handy for making restaurant reservations and navigating.
Uber is the easiest way to get around, but be prepared to do quite a bit of walking anyway — Auckland is quite a spread out city. Comfortable walking shoes are a good idea.
An Uber is the easiest way to get from the airport to the city (the bus only runs to Sky City and shared shuttles are more trouble than they’re worth).
You can see plenty in Auckland without needing a car, for example islands like Waiheke, Rangitoto and Tiritiri Matangi. This means it’s often easier to pick up your rental car when you’re ready to leave the city, to save the hassle of parking and paying for days when you might not need a vehicle.
Steer clear of Queen Street for shopping, it’s mostly overly commercial stores. Ponsonby Road and Karangahape Road are a much more relaxing place to shop, with many independent designers and boutiques, plus excellent cafes and restaurants for lunch.
The most iconic things to do in Auckland city
Arts, culture, and history
Eat and drink your way around Auckland
Taste modern Pacific cuisine at Auckland’s amazing restaurants
Enjoy gin cocktails 20 floors up
Nature and hiking in Auckland
Go surfing at Muriwai (and see the gannet colony)
Hike the Omanawanui Track, one of Auckland’s best walking trails
The overall best things to do in Auckland
Let’s start with the classics. These are the things I enjoy doing, and the activities I recommend to friends and family when they visit.
1. Do yoga on Queen’s wharf
If you’re in Auckland over summer, check out the free yoga classes that take place on Queen’s Wharf.
It’s a gorgeous, waterside spot for a yoga class, and can set you up for a zen day of exploring.
2. Go on a whale and dolphin safari
Photo - Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari
Photo - Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari
Cost | $165 per adult
I lived in Auckland for years before I learned that you can see whales here.
Going on a whale and dolphin safari is one of the best and most surprising things to do in Auckland.
The trip leaves from the viaduct area of downtown Auckland, and cruises out into the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
You can see common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, as well as orcas (which frequently swim into Auckland’s harbour!). You can also spot the critically endangered Bryde’s whale year round.
The whole trip lasts around 4.5 hours, so as well as getting to see the marine wildlife around Auckland you get to enjoy a beautiful cruise on the water. It’s a nice way to see the city skyline and different islands in the harbour.
This is a great all year round activity. I went in winter and we also had a beautiful sunset as we cruised back into the viaduct.
3. Explore Maungawhau/Mount Eden and other volcanic cones
Maungawhau/Mount Eden has great views and an incredible crater
You can see terraces and former food pits on Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill
Location: 10 minute drive from the city centre
Cost: Free
Auckland city is spread across a volcanic field, with around 53 volcanic cones still nudging up above the ground.
Many were destroyed as the city expanded, but some remain in good condition and still have archaeological evidence of Māori iwi (tribes) who once settled on the maunga (volcanic cones).
Maungawhau/Mount Eden is one of the most impressive volcanoes to visit, thanks to it’s height and the incredible depth of its crater.
You can pop into the visitor centre at Friends and Whau cafe to learn more about the history of Maungawhau and the other volcanoes, before strolling around the beautiful boardwalks for views of the city.
This is one of the best things to do in Auckland if you want to understand more of the Māori history and unique geography of the Tāmaki Makaurau (the Māori name for Auckland).
Mount Eden isn’t the only volcano worth visiting, though.
Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill also has a lot of historical significance.
Mount Hobson is one of my favourite sunset spots in the whole city.
Mount St John is one of my favourite short walks in the city centre, with a small crater and plenty of peace and quiet.
4. Hike to the summit of Rangitoto
The other very famous volcanic cone is Rangitoto. You can catch a ferry out to the island and hike to the summit for views back to the city.
Another option that flies much more under the radar is Motukorea/Brown Island, which you can only reach by kayak. Going sea kayaking is a fun way to explore Auckland’s harbour, and the island itself is one of the most intact cones in the whole of Auckland.
Check out the kayaking option with Auckland Sea Kayaks.
5. Go wine tasting on Waiheke Island
40 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland
Cost: Ferries around ~$50 return
Waiheke Island is one of the best places to visit in Auckland.
The island is beautiful, with pristine beaches, harbour views and a microclimate that gives Waiheke more sunshine hours than the mainland.
Waiheke was once a hippie enclave but it’s now become an upmarket destination.
Stunning vineyards stretch across the hillsides, and impressive holiday homes sit alongside the smaller, older homes.
It’s easy to catch the catch the ferry to Waiheke Island from downtown Auckland, and spend the day visiting vineyards.
You can get around the island with a wine tour, or on the public buses.
Even if you don’t drink, Waiheke is worth visiting for its gorgeous scenery and great restaurants.
6. Shop for souvenirs
Auckland is one of the best places for souvenir shopping.
Head to Ponsonby Road to browse independent boutiques and New Zealand fashion designers like Juliette Hogan and Kate Sylvester.
One of my favourite places to pick up New Zealand souvenirs is at the Haus of Flox, close to the intersection of Karangahape and Ponsonby Roads.
Or, make your way to Karangahape Road to find more bohemian gifts.
Discover art, culture, and history in Auckland
Some of these activities are also great on wet and rainy days in Auckland.
7. Go to a show at Basement Theatre
With a bar that spills out into seats crowded into the corner of a carpark, Basement Theatre feels like the kind of cool, gritty urban space you might find in Melbourne or London.
In their own words, Basement Theatre “is a place where urgent and adventurous live performance made by independent artists is incubated and supported.”
It’s one of the coolest venues in central Auckland, with a constantly changing line up of events.
Head along for a show and support some of New Zealand’s emerging talent, and you’ll get to have a drink at a cool bar and mingle with people in the local creative scene.
8. Check out First Thursdays on Karangahape Road
If you happen to be in town on the first Thursday of the month, you should head along to Karangahape Road after 5pm for live music, markets, food stalls, restaurants deals and late night shopping.
First Thursdays is an awesome monthly event which adds even more life and colour to Karangahape Road.
Regular events include live music at the Pocket Park Stage outside the Pitt Street Pub, a local artist’s and creator’s market in Beresford Square, and a Muckaround Comedy Show in Whammy Bar.
First Thursdays is a great opportunity to experience the best street in Auckland and all of the creative, interesting people that hang out here.
9. Visit Auckland Museum for exhibitions and cultural performances
The Auckland Museum acts as kaitiaki, or guardians, for a significant collection of Māori taonga, or treasures.
This makes the museum an important stop in Auckland if you’re interested in learning more about Māori culture, history, and art.
The Museum has two dedicated Māori galleries and has Māori performances on a regular basis.
10. Explore Auckland art gallery
11. Go vintage shopping on Karangahape Road
Karangahape Road is one of the coolest parts of Auckland.
There are lots of things to love about Auckland’s former red light district, which is really just one stretch of road. Karangahape Road is synonymous with gay bars, drag cabaret, strip clubs, and sex shops.
It’s also packed with awesome independent stores, some of the best places to eat in Auckland, and groovy live music venues.
Going for a walk down Karangahape Road is one of the best things to do in Auckland if you want to see an alternative side to the city.
Pop into the vintage boutiques and see what you can find, or rummage through the many op shops (second hand clothing shops).
My favourite shops are Crushes, the Third Eye, and Smoove.
The independent stores on Karangahape Road make it an awesome place to seek out New Zealand souvenirs to take home with you.
Pop into Saint Kevin’s Arcade to see some cool bookstores, and get coffee and a snack at Bestie Cafe — the view from the arcade out to the city is gorgeous.
12. Explore Auckland's live music scene
Auckland has a thriving live music scene, but it’s not always obvious where to find the best gigs.
Karangahape Road usually has something happening on a Friday and Saturday night.
Neck of the Woods hosts plenty of electronic music gigs, while the Wine Cellar is a good spot for more intimate acoustic gigs.
Some of my favourite venues include the Portland Public House in Kingsland, Frida Margolis in Kingsland, and Whammy Bar on Karangahape Road.
13. Go to a show at The Civic, Auckland’s grande dame theatre with a star studded sky
The Civic Theatre is a truly atmospheric theatre.
The interior is so gaudy its charming, with gilt everything and excessive plaster ornamentation, including ornate columns.
It’s kind of a take on glamour and theatrical pizzazz.
The coolest part about the theatre is the ceiling — it’s designed to look like the night sky, with hundreds of tiny lights against a midnight blue background.
One of my favourite times to visit The Civic is during the yearly international film festival, when you get to enjoy a movie under the starry ceiling.
Food and drinks
14. Enjoy live jazz at a speakeasy cocktail bar
Caretaker is easily one of Auckland’s best cocktail bars.
Find your way down the discreet stairs and through the door and you’ll step into a dimly lit, lushly decorated bar, where people sip decadent cocktails around small tables lit with haloes of golden light.
The bar doesn’t have a traditional menu — your server will simply ask you what you feel like drinking, and you’ll get a surprise drink whipped up for you based on your whims.
Go along on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday night from 9pm and you’ll also be treated to live jazz, to complete the ambiance of a golden age New York cocktail lounge.
15. Taste modern Pacific cuisine at Auckland's amazing restaurants
Auckland has many incredible restaurants.
We’re lucky to have a huge range of influences in New Zealand cuisine, so you can find everything from East Asian fusion at Mekong Baby to latin inspired dishes at Conch in Ponsonby.
There’s also a wide range in terms of budget, from BYOs (where you can bring your own wine for a small corkage fee) to fancier restaurants.
In general though, going out for dinner in Auckland is pretty laid back — no need to dress up massively.
Most of the best restaurants in Auckland are along Ponsonby and Karangahape Roads, or around Britomart in Central Auckland.
Live like a local and head to Cotto on K Road, Sidart in Ponsonby, kingi in Britomart, or Cassia in the CBD.
For cheap eats, make your way to Dominion Road where you can find dumpling houses galore.
Karangahape Road also has some great cheap eats, including Sri Penang and Pici, which does amazing pasta in a gorgeous spot in Saint Kevin’s Arcade.
Bonus: Go cafe hopping! Auckland is home to incredible coffee as well as food. Try these cafes in Grey Lynn and these cafes in Ponsonby.
16. Stop by wine and cocktail bars on Ponsonby Road
Auckland has some excellent bars, so it would be remiss not to explore them. Ponsonby Road is one of the best places in the city for restaurants and bars. It’s a great area to soak up a lively atmosphere.
For cocktails, check out bars like Deadshot or Clippers.
Sample New Zealand wines in the low-key but very vibey bars Annabel’s and Beau.
If you feel like dancing, head to Fitzroy Lounge later in the evening for house music, or Grand Central for live bands on a sticky dance floor.
17. Go for dumplings on Dominion Road
18. Find out why Cher loves Giapo icecream
Giapo is possibly the best ice cream in Auckland. Giapo, the ice cream maker, believes normal ice cream is boring and has created the whole enterprise around reinventing how we eat ice cream.
The result is over the top toppings, upside down offerings like broken cones, elaborate and decadent chocolate drenched cones, and flavours that are surprising and delightful.
Getting ice cream from Giapo truly is an experience and not just a dessert.
Nature, hiking and outdoor activities in Auckland
19. Go to the beach
Auckland
20. Visit Piha, a sweeping black sand beach
Cost: Free
Piha is Auckland’s most famous West Coast beach. The small town has a kick-back surfy vibe that invites you to go barefoot and take it easy for a while.
Driving out to Piha, you’ll feel worlds away from the busy city.
The narrow road through native bush eventually emerges onto the coast, with sweeping views of Piha beach and Lions Rock as you wind your way down to the beach.
Stop by the general store for a coffee and a snack, before heading off on one of the beautiful walks in the area.
The Kitekite Falls Walk is nice for native bush and a waterfall view, while the Tasman Lookout Track and Lion’s Rock both offer a nice short climb with awesome views. Or, just walk up and down the vast black sand beach.
When sunset rolls around, lay out your picnic blanket and settle in. The weather on the west coast is famously variably, so you might end up with lots of cloud and no colour. But, you could equally have an incredible sunset which lights up the water and the coastline.
Tip: Always take a warm jacket for sunsets out west! Even in summer it can get cool.
21. See rare native birds at Tawharanui Regional Park
Cost: Free
Tāwharanui Regional Park is one of my favourite places in Auckland. It’s about a one and a half hour drive north of the city, on the east coast.
The park is stunning, with white sand beaches and clear water. On a calm day, swimming here feels like you’re in a tropical paradise.
The highlight of visiting Tāwharanui though, is the number of rare native birds thriving here.
Tāwharanui is a fenced sanctuary, which means there are no predators inside the impressive boundary fence. This makes it one of the best places for a bush walk in Auckland.
Go for a walk in Tāwharanui and you’ll hear incredible levels of bird song, and get to see birds like tieke/saddlebacks that are so rare you can’t see them outside of sanctuaries any more.
There are also kaka - a native parrot - swirling round overhead.
On the Ecology Trail, you have a good chance of seeing takahe, a big blue bird that is so rare it was once thought extinct. Now there are around 400 individuals left, with a handful of them living in Tawharanui.
You can also visit Tāwharanui after dark with a tour to go kiwi spotting. They are surprisingly easy to see (and hear! They thunder around) in the bush here, and spotting them in the wild can be one of the top activities in Auckland.
Matakana is a great day trip destination from Auckland city. Only one hour north you can find this tiny village which has an huge helpings of charm.
The Matakana Village Farmer’s Market takes place every Saturday from 8am-1pm. Browse locally made products and try food from any of the different food stalls.
Matakana is on the way to Tawharanui, so you can easily combine the two for a great day trip from Auckland.
22. Visit Tiritiri Matangi for the day
Tiritiri Matangi is a beautiful island sanctuary located in the Hauraki Gulf, just off the coast of Auckland.
It's a popular day trip destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts due to its rich biodiversity and conservation efforts.
Catch a ferry from Auckland to Tiritiri Matangi. Ferries usually depart from downtown Auckland or nearby locations like Gulf Harbour. Make sure to book your ferry tickets in advance to secure your spot.
The ferry ride typically takes about 75-90 minutes, depending on the departure point.
Ferries usually depart in the morning and return in the afternoon, allowing for a full day visit to the island.
Spend the day exploring the island's walking trails. Walks range from 20 minutes to 4 hours, and the trails are mostly easy.
The island is renowned for its birdlife, including rare and endangered species like the takahē, kākā, and kiwi.
Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch at one of the island's designated picnic spots while taking in the stunning views.
Don't forget to bring your camera to capture the island's beauty and wildlife. Dress comfortably, wear sturdy walking shoes, and bring essentials like sunscreen, insect repellent, water, and snacks.
Catch the return ferry back to Auckland in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on the schedule.
23. Hike the Omanawanui Track, one of Auckland's best walking trails
There are dozens of epic walks all around Auckland, but the Omanawanui hike packs in the best views out of all of them.
As an added bonus, you get to drive out to Whatipu Beach to walk the track.
It’s a gorgeous drive through native bush and across the occasional ford that makes it feel like you are out in the wildnerness, and not one hour from Auckland.
After walking the Omanawanui track, you can stroll up and down Whatipu Beach. Time it right and you’ll have a beautiful sunset here.
24. Catch a sunset
How many days do you need in Auckland?
It’s a good idea to spend at least one night in Auckland once you arrive into New Zealand, to recover from jet lag and rest after what is inevitably a long flight.
Spend two nights in Auckland and you will have time to explore some of the best shops, cafes, and restaurants around the central city, and even take a day trip to Waiheke Island or Piha Beach.
If you spend 3 or more nights in Auckland, you can easily find ways to fill up your time, with visits to art galleries and gardens in the morning, beach visits in the afternoon, and theatre or cocktail bars in the evening.
Where to stay in Auckland
Most of Auckland’s large hotels are clustered around the central business district (the CBD).
The best inner city hotel is Hotel Britomart, which opened in 2021. Staying here is an experience in itself — the hotel has strong sustainability credentials and impeccable design. Local materials are championed throughout the hotel, with timber-lined rooms that more closely resemble stylish cabins than city hotel rooms.
Downstairs you can stroll right into one of Auckland’s best restaurants, kingi, which is Hotel Britomart’s superb seafood restaurant.
QT Auckland is an art and design focused hotel by Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. It has the added bonus of a rooftop bar popular among the city’s office workers thanks to its sunset views.
If you plan on staying in Auckland for longer than a couple of nights, I recommend staying in Ponsonby or Grey Lynn.
Some of the more personality-driven places to stay in Auckland are a little removed from the central business district. On a quiet, tree lined street in Ponsonby is Hotel Fitzroy, which houses 10 luxurious rooms in a restored 1910 villa.
In the neighbouring suburb of Grey Lynn is The Convent Hotel, which is exactly what it sounds like — a renovated convent. The former nunnery reopened as a boutique hotel in 2020, with 22 character filled rooms. Staying here has the added convenience of being right above Ada, one of the city’s best restaurants.
I’ve put together a local’s guide to the city for further details on Auckland’s neighbourhoods and the best areas to stay.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope you’ve found some inspiration for things to do in Auckland.
If you’re planning on exploring New Zealand’s cities, you might also like to check out these articles on Wellington:
