Welcome to Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland
A vibrant multi-cultural region where world-class shopping and dining is never too far from beautiful islands, native bush and black-sand beaches. A diverse region bursting with life, Auckland offers a host of cultural, creative and sporting events, festivals and theatre productions.
Here’s the top 10 things to do in Auckland.
- Please your palate
Auckland’s thriving food scene includes an abundance of seafood, fresh produce and distinctive wines. Delight your culinary senses at an uber-cool eatery or head to a lively night market. - Ferry to The Riverhead, New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern
Retrace the route of the early Māori settlers and New Zealand’s first pioneers by taking a ferry to The Riverhead, New Zealand’s oldest historic riverside tavern. Enjoy a delightful meal overlooking the water, under the oak trees in summer or cosy and warm by the fire during winter. - Discover island time
Auckland’s magnificent Hauraki Gulf has over 50 beautiful emerald islands, most are just a short ferry ride from the city centre.
- Get up close to wildlife
Join a whale and dolphin spotting eco-safari or visit Tiritiri Matangi, an open wildlife sanctuary. Head to Auckland Zoo and try your luck at spotting New Zealand’s national bird, the Kiwi. - Dine by the sea
Dine overlooking the water at Viaduct Harbour or Wynyard Quarter, or pop over the Harbour Bridge to Takapuna for a laidback lunch by the beach. - Visit the world’s largest penguin colony
Watch these cuties at Kelly Tarlton’s SEALIFE Aquarium, as well as the world’s only display of Spiny Sea Dragons, the biggest species of stingray on the globe, and an underwater aquarium of colourful fish. - Make tracks
Hike along spectacular coastal paths, amble around the seaside village of Devonport, stroll past sheep grazing in thefields of Cornwall Park, and if you’ve got a bit more time, hike the coast to coast walkway which crosses New Zealand’s narrowest neck of land. Start in Viaduct Harbour on Auckland’s east coast and travel west through urban landscapes, beautiful parklands and over dormant volcanoes to finish 16km later at Manukau Harbour. - Get your feet wet
You’re never far from the sea, whether it’s the black-sand surf beaches on the wild west coast or urban beaches close to the city centre. - NZ’s only oyster farm tour
Jump aboard the ‘Shuckleferry’ for a guided cruise along the pristine waters of Mahurangi Harbour. Sit back and breathe in the fresh and salty air with a wine in hand and be treated to plump and juicy Pacific oysters plucked from the seabed. And if you’re game, have a go at shucking the oysters for yourself. - Get out on the water
Experience Auckland’s sparkling harbours by sea kayak, join a dinner cruise or take a spin on a high-speed jet boat.
For more great things to see and do in Auckland, head to aucklandnz.com/visit
