The Best Things To Do In Auckland

From cultural activities to foodie experiences.

As the country’s largest, Auckland is New Zealand’s most culturally diverse city with plenty to do and a stellar food and wine scene to explore.

Ready to go? Here’s our pick of the best things to do in Auckland to make the most of your time in this vibrant harbour city.

In short

If you only do one thing in Auckland, make it hiking a volcanic maunga (mountain). It’s free and because the city is home to more than 50 volcanic cones and craters, you’re spoiled for choice. Rangitoto Island is perhaps Auckland’s best-known volcanic landmark (at around 600 years old). Get to Rangitoto Island by a daily ferry that departs from the Auckland Ferry Terminal in downtown Auckland. Take all supplies (there are no shops on the island).

Explore Auckland’s culture and heritage

the Auckland War Memorial Museum — Auckland War Memorial Museum is steeped in the culture and history of the Pacific. (Credit: Getty/Erik V)

Few civic spaces beat a national museum or gallery for insight into the history and culture of a place. That’s one of the reasons to spend a few hours at Auckland War Memorial Museum/Tāmaki Paenga Hira in Parnell and the Auckland Art Gallery/Toi o Tāmaki in the city centre. At the museum, the ground level explores the story of Pacific people and how Māori and Europeans came to New Zealand. A guided tour of Auckland’s art gallery, meanwhile, introduces you to exhibitions and provides insight into New Zealand’s art practices and traditions.

BOOK IT: Auckland War Memorial Museum in the Auckland Domain costs $AUD 25/13 to enter for adults/children and is open daily. Find out more, at: aucklandmuseum.com.

Auckland Art Gallery on the corner of Kitchener and Wellesley Streets is open daily and free to enter. Learn more at: aucklandartgallery.com

SkyJump or SkyWalk for views and thrills

Sky Tower in Auckland — Sky Tower rises 1,076 feet above the city. (Credit: Getty/denizunlusu)

Reality assumes a different dimension when you’re leaping off a 328-metre tower. Dominating the Auckland skyline for nearly three decades, Auckland’s Sky Tower offers visitors panoramic views of the city, as well as the chance to SkyJump from a platform near the top (they say it’s like base jumping by wire) or SkyWalk around it – without any handrails. Both are thrilling guided experiences operated by the experts at AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand.

BOOK IT: SkyJump and SkyWalk can be booked online or from the Sky Tower’s ticketing office accessed from either Victoria or Federal Streets in the city. The Sky Tower is open daily.

Sail away on Waitematā Harbour

city lights at Waitematā Harbour — Waitematā Harbour shifts from a busy transit hub to the city’s glowing centre stage at night. (Credit: Getty/Sulthan Auliya)

New Zealand is well-known for its sailing prowess. Less well-known is the fact visitors to Auckland can join a professional crew and help sail a real America’s Cup race yacht on the Waitematā Harbour with Explore Group. Two-hour sailing trips leave year-round from Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. Cruise beyond Waitematā Harbour into the Hauraki Gulf to the island nature reserve of Tiritiri Matangi on Explore’s 80-minute ferry. The ferry travels via Gulf Harbour and departs the Explore booking kiosk in Viaduct Harbour.

BOOK IT: Explore’s Waitematā harbour sailing tour and Hauraki Gulf cruise can be booked from the company booking kiosk at Viaduct Harbour in Auckland city or online, at: exploregroup.co.nz

Shop independent fashion in Britomart and Ponsonby

Tiffany and Co. store on Galway Street — The Tiffany & Co. store in Auckland is a mini New York flagship on Galway St. (Credit: Getty/JHVEPhoto)

Downtown Britomart is one of Auckland’s most stylish shopping precincts, home to a slew of independent fashion labels, including Kiwi stalwarts like Karen Walker and those newer on the scene like Kiri Nathan, a fashion house inspired by Māori culture. Across the city on Ponsonby Road, Tatty’s Ponsonby is the go-to for vintage shopping. A few doors away, at Public Record, art, fashion and craft combine in a moody minimalist interior in celebration of all things handmade.

BOOK IT: Auckland stylist Stacey Beatson offers personal shopping and styling services. Book a session with Stacey for expert guidance on boutique shopping in Auckland and seasonal looks by New Zealand designers. For more information and to contact Stacey, go to: staceybeatson.com

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Join a food tour for a taste of the Pacific

Māngere Mountain in Auckland — Bull paddocks at Ambury Farm Park in Māngere Mountain. (Credit: Getty/ synthetick)

A range of new food tours showcasing Auckland’s food heritage has taken off in recent years. Glorious Tours, operated by sisters Ama Mosese and Louisa Tipene Opetaia, of Samoan and Māori heritage, run a small group tour exploring how Auckland became the biggest Polynesian city in the world. Featured on their Auckland Urban Māori Experience tour, for example, is hāngī (traditional earth-cooked dinner) and kava (the ceremonial drink of the Pacific). Velskov, experts in forest dining and regenerative travel, meanwhile, offer The Hotel Britomart Experience, combining a half-day food experience in Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges, with a one-night stay (early in the week) at The Hotel Britomart. Guests begin the tour foraging for herbs and plants, then later share lunch in an open-air glasshouse set in native New Zealand rainforest.

BOOK IT: The full-day Auckland Urban Māori Experience tour, starting in South Auckland and featuring a hike up Māngere Mountain (a dormant and culturally-significant volcano), can be booked with Glorious Tours online, at: gloriousnz.com. Also go online to book Velskov’s Hotel + Experience Package, at: velskov.com.

Day trip to Waiheke Island for wine and walking

Little Palm Beach on Waiheke Island — Explore scenic coastal walks on Waiheke Island. (Credit: Getty/Creative Media Productions NZ)

Auckland’s Waiheke Island is a stunning island of vineyards, beaches and great food accessible by public ferry, charter boat and helicopter. A popular getaway in the Hauraki Gulf for locals and visitors alike, Waiheke Island is a worthwhile day trip or weekend stay. Operator Terra & Tide specialises in Waiheke Island tours, covering food and wine, history and heritage, birding, heli-hiking, biking and multi-day walking tours. Their five-hour Private Waiheke Island Wine & Food Tour features wine and olive oil tasting, forest walking and a vineyard lunch.

BOOK IT: Terra & Tide’s Private Waiheke Island Wine & Food Tour can be booked online at: terraandtide.co.nz/touring/private-waiheke-food-wine-tours

Slow travel is encouraging us all to take our time and truly experience our journeys, and cruising has always been the perfect way to do just that.

The slow travel trend isn’t going anywhere. Instead of racing through a packed itinerary, travellers are opting for extended travel, allowing for a more immersive experience – as well as the time to actually feel reset and rested at the end of the journey. Part of that travel style is choosing the best method of travel. With none of the hassle, plenty to enjoy between ports, and port stops that allow time spent in a new place with a new culture, cruising may just be the slow travel answer.

And Royal Caribbean‘s new 16-night Long Adventure cruise itinerary from Sydney to Honolulu might just be the perfect slow adventure to get you started. After all, nothing says slow travel like getting on island time.

Immersive travel itinerary

moorea lagoon Pacific Double-saddle Butterflyfish — Dive into underwater worlds. (Credit: Getty/ Global Pics)

On this journey connecting Australia to Hawaiʻi, guests have a chance to experience destinations and culture that typically aren’t combined into one leisurely-paced trip. From tropical South Pacific islands to the beauty and culture of Hawaiʻi, each port offers its own rewards. Not to mention sea days in between to rest and reflect.

Stop in Papeete, Tahiti, to watch waves roll over black and white sand beaches. Or wander through tropical beauty at Paofai Gardens. While in French Polynesia, gaze on the jagged green peaks of Moorea. Here, snorkel among vibrant coral and tropical fish in the Lagoonarium. Later, experience the lesser-travelled Raiatea – where coral gardens practically explode with marine life and inland hiking trails lead to waterfalls. End the journey with the golden beaches and rich culture of Honolulu.

More time to connect

wave rider on anthem of the seas royal caribbean — Use sea days to make new memories together.

The essential factor that makes cruising the ultimate form of slow travel? Time on board is never wasted. On Anthem of the Seas® during your Long Adventure cruise, that could look like booking a seat for world-class theatre productions and live shows. Or spending time together in one of the many pools, bars and lounges for all moods.

Head to the adults-only Solarium, an indoor-outdoor retreat sitting right at the front of the ship for epic views from the swimming pools, whirlpools and lounge area. With something on every night, take in the onboard entertainment and nightlife. Like We Will Rock You – the West End musical featuring the legendary hits of Queen.

Built-in pauses

RCI Vitality℠ Spa — Enjoy a spa treatment at Vitality Spa.

We so often forget to factor in time to pause and reflect when we travel, but sea days are a built-in deep breath. Take advantage of resort-style living at sea to disconnect and avoid the trap of a frantic holiday schedule.

On Anthem of the Seas, expansive spaces have been designed specifically to help guests relax, reset and enjoy the journey. Spend time together enjoying onboard entertainment, dining, or lounging by the pool. Head to the observatory to check out an unpolluted night sky. Or, for something truly special, book a restorative massage or rejuvenating facial at Vitality℠ Spa.

Remove travel hassle

royal caribbean anthem of the seas royal loft balcony room — Unpack once, and return to your own comfortable room every night.

Instead of sweating as you run from one airport gate to another, getting grumpy because everyone is sleep-deprived or having to unpack and pack over and over again, travel time is spent creating new memories together. Simply depart from Sydney and let the rest be taken care of for you.

Unpack once, and return to the same comfortable room every night. This all-inclusive cruise brings together accommodation, dining, entertainment and transport in one seamless experience. It’s a more considered way to travel, offering exceptional value and removing logistics.

Dine at your leisure

Izumi Sashimi — Dine on flavours from around the world.

With world-class dining and a choice of over 18 dining options on board Anthem of the Seas, indulge your senses at any time (and never feel rushed). Take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s Dynamic Dining concept, allowing guests to choose from multiple complimentary restaurants, each with its own distinct style.

Or, book in for an elevated experience at specialty dining venues, with flavours from around the world. Tuck into Jamie’s Italian, led by the celebrated British chef Jamie Oliver. Enjoy Japanese delicacies at Izumi. For something really special, join the Chef’s Table, where up to 14 guests can indulge in a five-course wine-pairing dinner hosted nightly by an Executive Chef and Sommelier.

And with 11 bars and lounges to choose from, there’s always a new spot to enjoy a tipple. Like the unique mixology experience at Bionic Bar, or caipirinhas at the ship’s Latin-themed club, Boleros.

A taste of diverse cultures

Let Anthem of the Seas transport you overnight between diverse international ports. With cruising, there’s no need to pick just one destination. The longer, more immersive Transpacific cruise itinerary allows travellers to experience a range of destinations and cultures all across Oceania.

Head inland at Papeete to discover the story behind one of Tahiti’s most iconic treasures at the Robert Wan Pearl Museum. Visit the sacred Marae Taputapuātea on Raiatea, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before leaning into the relaxed local rhythm in Uturoa commune. And delve into the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi.

The luxury of time

royal caribbean solarium — Relax in adult-only areas of the ship.

The greatest luxury that cruising provides is that of time. More time to disconnect, more time to explore, and more time to enjoy the journey at your own pace. This Long Adventure voyage isn’t just about racing from destination to destination; it’s about how you get there. Taking your own time, both on sea days and during days on land.

Start planning your Long Adventure at royalcaribbean.com.au.