Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Auckland
- Barbara
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
We kicked off our epic New Zealand driving adventure right after touching down in Auckland from Sydney in October 2025. As one of New Zealand's major cities, Auckland is a vibrant, modern hub with a truly spectacular waterfront. Since our itinerary was packed with the best of both islands, we only had two busy days here, but we made them count! We didn’t manage to do all the activities, but here are all the ones that I think will help you to make the most of it.
Table of Contents:
2. Waterfront
3. Sky Tower
6. Auckland Art Gallery 7. Nearby Islands 8. Bioluminescent Kayak Tour 9. Spot a kiwi 10. Hobbiton 11. Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Must-Do Activities in Auckland:
1. Stroll the Stunning Waterfront (and Sip a Cocktail)
Have a nice walk along the harbour and waterfront. This is the place to be if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere.
Happy Hour Hotspots: You'll find plenty of bars and restaurants! Some special bars we stopped by are Parasol and Swing Company for their creative cocktails (we had great happy hour Aperols - of course I had to find a prosecco based drink!) and the Good Luck Coconut, where some drinks are literally served on fire!
Sweet Treats: Fancy an artisanal scoop? Stop by Gelatiamo for tasty ice cream with special flavours (I had lavender!).
A Quieter View: For a more peaceful moment, wander towards Silo Park. Look for the impressive metallic 'Gantry' structure. It stands 10 meters tall and gives you a fantastic 360-degree view from the top.
2. Scale the Heights at the SkyTower
If you're not afraid of heights and you want to have an even better view, the SkyTower is an absolute Auckland landmark you can't miss. Standing at a whopping 328m, it offers 360-degree views of the whole city and the surrounding islands. I personally don't like heights, but my boyfriend managed to convince me and it was worth it!
Observation Decks: The main deck is on the 51st floor, but you can take the lift further up to the Sky Deck on the 60th floor! You can then grab a drink at the café/bar on the 53rd floor.
Daredevil Thrills: For the truly brave, you can reserve a spot for the SkyWalk (walking around the perimeter) or the exhilarating SkyJump! (Needless to say I didn't do neither of them, but I looked at others doing it).
Dinner with a View: If you are planning a special night, or just to treat yourself, book a table at Orbit 360 Dining. This rotating restaurant gives you an ever-changing panorama of Auckland while you eat. Make sure to reserve in advance!
3. Get Hands-On at Wētā Workshop Unleashed
This tour was a delightful surprise! The staff (big shout out to Kris!) made the experience fun, fully immersive, and incredibly informative. Wētā Workshop is a well known name in the cinema and special effects area as they helped with the costumes, creatures and set of The Lord of the Rings.
What You’ll See: You'll learn tons about the special effects and props used in movies by seeing how they created three unreleased micro-movies. You'll have time to explore the different rooms and try out things like making your voice sound like a monster, drawing, or sculpting some monsters.
Who It’s For: Before going, I worried it might be just for kids, but it’s literally for everyone! Our group was all adults, so it’s definitely worth a visit if you love special effects or cinema.
Pro Tip: If you plan on visiting both the SkyTower and Wētā Workshop, grab a combo ticket, it works out cheaper! They also offer proper workshops (like making wounds or world-building) which you can combine with the general tour.
4. Dive into Art at the Auckland Art Gallery
The Auckland Art Gallery is the main gallery in the city and boasts an extensive collection of works by both New Zealand and international artists. You can explore the permanent exhibition for free, or buy tickets for their temporary showcases. It’s open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Find out more here: Auckland Art Gallery.
5. Find peace at the Botanic Gardens:
I always find walking around beautiful gardens incredibly relaxing. If you feel the same, you should visit the Auckland Botanic Gardens. It’s slightly out of town, but you'll be rewarded with a peaceful oasis, filled with beautiful flowers and a huge variety of plants. It’s the perfect place to relax by the pond or grab a coffee at the cafe. The best part? Entry is free and they are open daily! You can check their website here: Auckland Botanic Gardens
6. Escape the city and visit one of the nearby islands
From Auckland you can take the ferry to some of the islands nearby (e.g. Rangitoto, Motutapu or Waiheke Islands).
The closest is Rangitoto Island, a volcanic island that’s both Auckland's youngest and largest volcano. You can walk to the summit (about an hour each way) or visit the black lava caves (here you can see glow worms at night!).
Quick Tip for Rangitoto: Remember, there are absolutely no toilets and no shops on Rangitoto, so make sure to bring enough water and everything else you might need before you go! Ferries depart regularly, check the timetables here: Fuller Ferry Timetables
Waiheke Island: If you're looking for something different, Waiheke Island is an excellent stop for visiting some of the region's famous wineries or simply having a stroll along the beach. It’s accessible by ferries operated by both Sealink and Fullers
7. Bioluminescent Kayak Tour
Seeing the water light up with tiny, glowing plankton is truly magical. This occurs when the surface is disturbed. We were lucky to see them in Asia, but you can see them here in Auckland too! The light is caused by bioluminescent plankton. While seeing them in real life is amazing, getting a photo is hard, you need a long exposure and a tripod!
Best Time to Go: You have the best chance from October to April (late spring/early autumn to summer) on darker nights (around the new moon phase).
Where to Spot: They are sometimes seen at Piha, Bethells Beach (during algal blooms), or at Man O’War Bay on Waiheke Island. For the highest chance of seeing them, join a guided kayak tour, they will know exactly where to take you to see the water sparkle! For more info: Social Nature Movement bioluminescence kayak torus.
8. Try to spot a kiwi:
The famous Kiwi is extremely rare and difficult to spot in the wild since they are nocturnal animals.
Your Best Shot: In Auckland, your best chance to see them in the wild is to head to Tawharanui Regional Park, about 1.5 hours from Auckland, which is a known habitat. Try the various trails (the Ecology Trail Loop is the shortest) around dawn or sunrise for a tiny chance of a sighting. As you walk around, keep an eye out also for other beautiful native birds, such as the Kaka, Weka, Tui, or Takahe!
Plan B: If you don't have any luck in the wild (it's incredibly rare, so don't be disappointed!), you can always visit the Auckland Zoo to guarantee a sighting.
9. Visit The Shire in Hobbiton
Step into The Shire and wander through the lush, iconic landscape that housed Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. Here in Hobbiton is pure movie magic and totally worth it!
Waitomo Glowworms Caves
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