Everything you need to know about having an amazing trip to Auckland, New Zealand, and everything you need to see.
We recently returned from a trip to New Zealand, Australia, and a Disney Cruise South Pacific cruise – it was an amazing trip! New Zealand and Australia have been on our family travel bucket list for quite a while. I wasn’t sure when we would get to visit, so I am so happy that we made it work! I highly recommend visiting these beautiful countries if you can.
New Zealand is known for its fascinating natural attractions with a diverse cultural blend of Māori, European, Pacific Island, and Asian. This island country has active and dormant volcanoes along with sandy beaches and unique flora and fauna.
During our trip, we visited Auckland which is New Zealand’s largest city full of a vibrant and diverse atmosphere. We also took a day trip to Waiheke Island, which you can read about here.
With so much to see in Auckland, here is a list of some of the top things to do and see along with additional ideas to fill out your trip.
What to See in Auckland, New Zealand
The Sky Tower is an iconic structure that’s 328m tall and can be seen from all over Auckland. You can visit the top of the tower for a fantastic 360° view of the city. In addition, there are several dining options along with two adrenaline-fueled activities: SkyWalk and SkyJump.
Explore along the Viaduct Harbour which was the former commercial harbour on the Auckland waterfront that has been turned into a development with shops, bars, and cafes. This is a great place to wander and grab a bite to eat or drink.
The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki is free to visit and has an interesting collection of European art and several pieces from New Zealand artists including Maori art. In addition, the gallery frequently offers events, talks, and children’s activities and hosts traveling exhibitions. During our trip, the gallery was hosting a Lunar New Year event, and a new exhibit featuring Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Cubism including pieces by Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, and more opened.
The Domain Wintergartens is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit with two large glasshouses that display temperate and tropical plants. These spectacular gardens are free to visit in the Auckland Domain Park which is the site of the remains of the Pukekawa volcano. Also located at the park is the Auckland Museum with exhibits that tell the story of the Māori, Pakeha, and the peoples of Oceania, the natural history of New Zealand, and New Zealand’s involvement in war. This museum does charge admission for international visitors.
There are several spots in town to enjoy afternoon tea and we picked the Chandelier Lounge at Cordis Auckland. The main reason we chose this spot for afternoon tea was because the menu sounded amazing (it rotates based on the time of year) and the food looked so beautiful. It did not disappoint! We enjoyed all the delicious food, loved the tea, and the service was great.
Also, check to see if Auckland Live is holding any events during your visit. During our trip, there were a couple of Summer in the Square free events. This is a great way to expose yourself to and embrace local culture.
Another great spot to wander around and get a bite to eat or drink is the Queen Street/Auckland Town Hall area.
Mount Eden is a park dominated by a dormant volcanic peak also known as Maungawhau, with hiking and jogging trails leading to gorgeous views over the city (This dormant volcano is the highest natural point in Auckland).
If you are looking to take an easy day trip from Auckland consider taking the ferry to Waiheke Island. The island is full of wineries, coastline hiking trails, and beaches to enjoy. You can read more about visiting Waiheke Island here.
For a longer day trip, consider visiting and touring the Hobbiton Movie Set or exploring one of the national parks.
