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Auckland is one of New Zealand’s most famous tourist destinations thanks to its vibrant atmosphere, incredible coastal views, and convenient access to nature.
The metropolis, which is situated in the northern region of the North Island, has a huge variety of sights to explore, making it easy to plan a jam-packed vacation.
Let’s take a look at 20 of the most popular Auckland attractions to help you decide how to spend your time here.
1. Viaduct Harbour
- Address: Auckland Central
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Viaduct Harbour is one of Auckland’s main dining and entertainment hubs, and there’s a range of sophisticated cafes and restaurants positioned along the water’s edge.
The English-Baroque Ferry Building, which dates back to 1912, cuts a striking figure at Queen’s Wharf, where ferries frequently depart to carry people across Waitemata Harbour and out into the Hauraki Gulf. The busy harbor, which has long been packed with boats, is what gave Auckland its nickname, “City of Sails.”
2. Sky Tower Auckland
Photo Credit: ChameleonsEye
- Address: Victoria Street West, Auckland Central
- Opening Hours: 9.30 am – 8 pm Monday to Thursday / 9.30 am – 8.30 pm Friday to Sunday
The Sky Tower soars 1072 feet towards the heavens, making it the tallest building in New Zealand. Take the glass elevator to the observation deck for incredible panoramic Auckland city views. For more thrills, take the Sky Walk around the building’s pergola or complete the Sky Jump, an exhilarating base-jumping experience.
3. Auckland Harbour Bridge
- Address: Northcote Point, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 24/7 (Bungy and Bridge Climb 9 am – 4.30 pm daily)
Auckland Harbour Bridge has connected Downtown Auckland with the North Shore since 1959. Admire the views as you drive across it, or try the exciting Bridge Climb or Bridge Bungee Jump.
4. New Zealand Maritime Museum
- Website: maritimemuseum.co.nz
- Address: Corner of Quay and Hobson Street, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily
The Maritime Museum explores New Zealanders’ deep connection with the sea. Exhibits tell the story of New Zealand’s seafaring history, from the arrival of Polynesian settlers to the country’s modern-day yachting successes. There’s a range of fascinating historic and modern vessels on display, including Maori canoes.
5. Volcanic Cones
Photo Credit: Fly with Sebastian
There are 48 volcanic cones scattered across the Auckland landscape and they offer some incredible views from their peaks. Here are two of the most popular:
One Tree Hill
- Address: Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 5 am – 10 pm daily
One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) is almost 600 feet above sea level, and it’s a major landmark in the heart of pretty Cornwall Park. It was once home to one of the country’s biggest Maori settlement structures, and it has the most prominent example of prehistoric earthwork fortifications in the world.
Mount Eden
- Address: Access off Hillside Crescent Mount Eden Road, Auckland Central
- Hours: 7 am – 8.30 pm daily
Mount Eden rises 643 feet above sea level, making it the biggest of Auckland’s 48 volcanic cones. There are extensive paths to explore all over it, with plenty of opportunities to admire impressive views over the city.
6. Devonport
- Address: Queen Parade, Devonport, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Take a ferry ride across Waitemata Harbour to Devonport for a relaxing day out. This seaside town’s waterfront area offers amazing views of the city center, and restaurants and boutique stores are nearby. The beach is safe for swimmers and sunbathers.
7. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
- Website: aucklandartgallery.com
- Address: Wellesley Street East, Auckland Central, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily
15,000 works of art are on display in the 1887 French Renaissance-style Auckland Art Gallery. The collection includes 14th-century European sculptures and paintings as well as extensive works from Kiwi artists. Look out for the impressive display of work from Maori and Pacific Island artists.
8. Auckland War Memorial Museum
- Website: aucklandmuseum.com
- Address: Parnell, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Wednesday to Monday / 9 am – 8.30 pm Tuesday
The War Memorial Museum, which is set in a Neoclassical building constructed in 1929, crowns the sprawling Auckland Domain. It outlines the history of New Zealand, celebrates Maori heritage, and memorializes Kiwi soldiers who fought in World War I. Take a guided tour to get the most out of your visit.
9. Waiheke Island
Photo Credit: Tim Yim
- Address: Waiheke Island, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Waiheke Island’s natural beauty attracts many tourists keen to explore its hiking trails and wineries. History enthusiasts will appreciate visiting Stony Batter Historic Reserve where an underground tunnel system was established in World War II. For adventure, visit EcoZip to zipline through ancient forest canopies.
10. SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium
- Website: kellytarltons.co.nz
- Address: 23 Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 9.30 am – 5 pm daily
This vast aquarium lets you observe a huge range of marine animals, including stingrays, sharks, and tropical fish. There’s even an Antarctic Encounter where you can see penguins in an enclosure that’s stocked with real snow that’s made on site.
11. Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Islands
- Website: newzealand.com/uk/feature/hauraki-gulf-and-islands
- Location: Hauraki Gulf, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 5 am – 10 pm daily
The Marine Park Islands are one of the best places to visit to enjoy New Zealand’s natural beauty. Great Barrier Island is popular for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and camping. Rangitoto Island, a dormant volcano, has a renowned hike through pohutukawa trees to its summit. Tiritiri Matangi Island is a sanctuary for endangered bird species such as kiwi, takahe, and little blue penguins.
12. North Shore
North Shore, which lies across Waitemata Harbour, is renowned for its laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere and amenities. There are many scenic beaches to enjoy and lots of opportunities for swimming, surfing, and kayaking.
13. West Coast Beaches
The west coast of Auckland has some beautiful beaches, but be aware that many of them are unsuitable for swimming due to strong currents and sheer rocks. The following beaches are all around an hour’s drive out of the city center and make perfect day trip destinations.
Karioitahi Beach
- Address: Karioitahi Rd, Lake Puketi, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 24/7
This long, thin black sand beach is fairly secluded and rarely attracts more than a handful of sunbathers, making it ideal for those craving peace and quiet.
Karekare Beach
- Address: Karekare Rd, Waitakere
- Opening Hours: 24/7
This wide, unspoiled beach forms part of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. You might recognize it from the 1993 Oscar-winning film The Piano.
Piha Beach
- Address: Marine Parade North, Waitakere, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Piha is renowned as the home of Piha Surf Club, and it offers challenging waves for experienced surfers. It’s also a great spot for picnics.
Te Henga (Bethells Beach)
- Address: Bethells Road, Waitakere, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 24/7
This black sand beach boasts huge dunes and the tranquil Lake Wainamu, making it spectacularly beautiful.
Muriwai Beach
- Address: Motutara Road, Muriwai Beach, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 24/7
There’s a wonderful cliff-top trail above Muriwai where you can get close-up views of a huge gannet colony. On the beach itself, there are opportunities to walk, bike, and fly kites.
Whatipu Beach
- Address: Whatipu Road, Whatipu, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 24/7
Take a walk through native forests to arrive at this beach, which has large sand dunes and a natural cave that once served as a ballroom.
14. Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)
Photo Credit: krug_100
- Website: motat.org.nz
- Address: 805 Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily
MOTAT showcases the history of New Zealand’s technology and transport industries. It celebrates the work of Richard Pearse, an aviation pioneer, and Sir Edmund Hillary, the explorer who led the trans-Antarctic expedition.
15. Auckland Zoo
- Website: aucklandzoo.co.nz
- Address: Motions Rd, Western Springs, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm daily
Since 1922, Auckland Zoo has allowed visitors to see a wide variety of species from all over the world. Today, more than 1,400 animals call the zoo home, including monkeys, giraffes, meerkats, and wallabies.
16. Howick Historical Village
- Website: historicalvillage.org.nz
- Address: Lloyd Elsmore Park, Bells Road, Pakuranga, Auckland
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Sunday
This fascinating attraction recreates a colonial village from the mid-to-late 19th century. Some of the buildings are originals that date back to this era. Guides and performers provide tours, demonstrations, and reenactments to help visitors learn about New Zealand’s colonial history.
17. Puhoi
Puhoi lies 30 miles north of Auckland, and it’s well worth a visit to enjoy its artistic charm. It was originally founded by Bohemian immigrants in 1860, and it maintains much of its original character. Learn about the township’s history at the Puhoi Heritage Museum, and explore its artisanal boutiques and art galleries to pick up unique souvenirs.
18. Wellington
Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, lies at the southernmost point of the North Island. It has many sights to admire, such as the waterfront promenade and the Wellington Botanic Gardens, which are accessed by cable car. You can reach Wellington in three hours by ferry, or you could take an epic eight-hour road trip to admire the North Island’s inland scenery.
19. Rotorua
Rotorua, which is around 140 miles south of Auckland, is home to a Maori village, which makes it the perfect place to learn about Maori culture, arts, and crafts. The area is also known for its wellness experiences because it’s a hub for geothermal activity. See bubbling geysers, pristine lakes, glow worm caves, and much more.
20. Hobbiton Movie Set
Photo Credit: Ivo Antonie de Rooij
- Website: hobbitontours.com
- Address: 501 Buckland Road, Matamata
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 5.30 pm daily
Peter Jason’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were famously filmed in New Zealand, and you can see the original Hobbiton movie set in Matamata, some 100 miles south of Auckland. You can wander around Bag End, explore hobbit houses, and even have a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
Explore Auckland’s Epic Attractions
These are some of the very best tourist attractions in Auckland, but there’s even more to discover once you start to explore this epic region of New Zealand. Which of these hotspots will you add to your sightseeing itinerary?
