15 Things to Do in Auckland: Make the Most Out of Your Trip

It’s a running Kiwi joke that the best thing to do in Auckland is to leave. Auckland’s reputation as a sleepy town is well known, but if you put that stereotype aside, you’ll discover cool activities to do. To be completely honest, I did struggle to find things to do in Auckland during the two weeks I spent there.

However, because I had so much time on my hands, I tried it all and can share my recommendations on what to do in Auckland. First, I would not spend that long in Auckland, haha. But if you have a couple of days in Auckland, I guarantee you’ll explore all it has to offer. Without further ado, here are the best things to do in Auckland to make the most of your trip to New Zealand’s largest city.

The 15 Best Things to Do in Auckland, New Zealand

Aside from its waterfront, Auckland is best known for its food, art, and culture. You can learn and immerse yourself in Māori culture and also access a plethora of different cuisines. While it is a large city, Auckland also has amazing nature spots that are unparalleled. So, with that being said, one of the best things to do in Auckland is see a huge crater.

1. Hike Maungawhau — Mount Eden

Price: Free

Maungawhau in Māori means ‘mountain of the whau tree,’ and back then, it was the largest settlement in the area. The past Governor William Hobson of New Zealand named it Mount Eden to honor his superior naval officer. Maungawhau is the highest (dormant) volcano in Auckland and is an ancestral place to the Māori. The scoria cone volcano erupted twice thousands of years ago, creating a 50-meter-deep crater in the center of the mountain.

In Māori, the crater represents Te Ipu-a-Mataaho, the bowl of Mataaho, or the god of earthquakes and volcanoes. Because this is a tapu, or sacred, site, visitors cannot enter the crater. As a result, the city opened a boardwalk circling the crater’s rim with a viewing platform in the middle. Not only does this ensure respectful viewing, but the boardwalk also protects the terrain from wear.

Hiking up to the crater is one of the top things to do in Auckland! It was one of my favorite activities to do, and the views were absolutely spectacular. On the way to the crater, there are multiple viewpoints offering sweeping views of Auckland. On a sunny day, the sky is clear, and you can see all the way to the ocean. Once you get closer to the crater, you’ll also see a change in terrain: flat terraces and storage pits used by the settlements long ago. This is a must-do in Auckland—where else can you see a huge volcano crater up close?!

2. Visit Tiritiri Matangi, a Pest-Free Bird Island Sanctuary

Price: $95 NZD for the ferry, $10 NZD for the guided tour

As I was struggling to find things to do in Auckland to fill my time, I stumbled across this bird island sanctuary online. After reading about Tiritiri Matangi and its bird conservation efforts, I knew I wanted to visit. Aotearoa, or New Zealand, used to be mammal-free long ago and had hundreds of bird species, but with human arrival, that all changed. Since then, more than 50 bird species have gone extinct in the country, leading to increasing preservation efforts.

Tiritiri is a large 22-hectare island three kilometers away from Auckland, surrounded by a fast channel of water. Conservationists deemed it the perfect location for a bird sanctuary—a natural protector against predators and large enough to sustain a variety of wildlife. It is now a pest-free wildlife sanctuary that houses mostly native plants and birds facing extinction.

Tiritiri Matangi is the perfect day trip to do from Auckland. You can only get to the island by ferry, with only one trip a day to get on and off the island. Once you get to the island, you can snorkel, watch wildlife, enjoy the beach, and walk on guided paths around the sanctuary.

The best way to experience Tiritiri Matangi is to take a guided tour operated by volunteers. I booked my spot beforehand, and it was so informative! The guide pointed out all the native birds and plants that I had no clue about and also was a great resource for anyone with questions. I’ve never visited such a cool wildlife sanctuary, and even if you are not interested in animals, it’s a great experience.

3. Eat and Shop on Ponsonby Road

Price: Free

For the trendiest cafes and restaurants, visit Ponsonby, an inner-city residential suburb known for its dining and shopping. Along Ponsonby Road, you’ll find clothing and art boutiques, cozy cafes, delicious eateries, and independent bookshops. It’s a gentrified suburb that caters to expensive tastes, but there’s nothing wrong with window shopping and upscale dining!

There are many hidden gems on this road, including secondhand and vintage shops offering a treasure trove of items. There are also lots of local stores amongst the newer designer boutiques. For food, you cannot go wrong at Ponsonby Central, with a plethora of gastropub and dining options. There’s a variety of cuisines to try, including Thai, Korean, Middle Eastern, Turkish, and more. And no trip to Ponsonby is complete without visiting the famous Duck Island gelato shop.

One of my favorite spots for a meal is at Khu Khu Eatery, a vegan Thai restaurant. I think I ate there at least four times in my two weeks in Auckland. Their radish appetizer is to die for, and their food has such an addicting flavor. It’s perfect for a party or solo dining, and the staff are so, so nice. The owner, Michael, is so enthusiastic about his restaurant, and it was nice to feel like an Auckland local just for a little bit.

4. Visit the Auckland Art Gallery

Price: Free

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is the largest art institution in New Zealand, with over 17000 works of art. Its purpose is to strengthen and enrich communities through art and ideas, placing an emphasis on collaboration, dialogue, and diverse ideas. They have a huge collection of Māori, Pacific Island, Indigenous Australian, and New Zealand art.

In addition to its amazing art collection, the Auckland Art Gallery’s architecture is stunning. It’s a heritage building that was one of Auckland’s first civic buildings that was donated to be a part of the gallery. The building renovations and restorations included a tree-like canopy ceiling from Māori kauri wood with large windows for lots of natural light. Stepping inside the gallery is a wonderful experience, and it’s a pleasure for the senses.

I loved going through all the artwork and gallery exhibitions. There’s definitely a sense of community focus and importance to showcase Māori art. I enjoyed the contemporary Māori art a lot and appreciated the personal stories behind the artwork. The gallery is free to enter and is a wonderful space to take in the architecture and community.

5. Giapo Ice Cream

Price: 5-6 NZD

With the tagline “Normal ice cream is boring,” naturally, we should see what it’s all about, right? New Zealand is the number one consumer of ice cream in the world, so they should have some amazing ice cream. Traditional New Zealand ice cream is made with a vanilla ice cream base with fresh additions like strawberry and blueberry. Giapo innovates its sweet treat to another level, using local and organic products with delicious flavors.

Giapo, besides their flavors, is famous for the theatrics of how they present their ice cream. They have modeling chocolate giant squids attached to your cone, wildly decorated dipped cones, and even gold foil. I went mainly to try the ice cream as I wasn’t really interested in the presentation, but it’s an iconic part of Auckland’s food scene.

6. Walk Around Auckland Central

Price: Free

The Central Business District in Auckland is full of eateries and cute cafes. There are shopping buildings, bookstores, and hidden alleyways to explore. However, I will say that it is quite empty outside of eating and business hours. I think the CBD used to be more energetic when people were still commuting to work in the office. But since the implementation of work from home, Auckland’s business district is facing slowed foot traffic, not unlike other large cities around the world.

I still think it is worth walking around Auckland Central, though! Especially if there is a restaurant or cafe you want to try. Ironically, it’s a nice way to spend a slow morning or afternoon, and it’s an opportunity to chat with the store owners. Perhaps it is not the most exciting district, but it is a snippet of what working life is like in Auckland.

7. City Skyline at Viaduct Harbor

Price: Free

After consuming a nice ice cream cone, take a walk to Viaduct Harbor, where you can enjoy Auckland’s skyline. There’s a bridge that connects the Viaduct Harbor to the Wynyard Quarter, which is a great place to snap a pic of the city skyline. Once you cross over to Wynyard Quarter, there is a fish market and lots of local restaurants you can stop in. There’s a cool Silo Park, which is a public park that was once a former cement site. There are six silos that are still there today, with some acting as an art and exhibition space.

You can even walk all the way to the Auckland Harbor Bridge through the Auckland Foreshore Heritage Walk. The trail is nicely paved and flat, perfect for kids and families. It has stunning views, and you might even catch people bungee jumping off the bridge!

8. Stop by a Local Farmer’s Market

Price: Free

There’s no better way to experience local life than by going grocery shopping! Auckland is known for its amazing food scene, and that extends to its produce. There are so many different neighborhoods in Auckland, and by default, many local farmers’ markets to check out. There are small to large ones spread out all across the city.

The City Farmers’ Market at Britomart is right in the heart of the Auckland Central Business District (CBD) near the Auckland Waterfront. It’s a French-influenced Saturday market and has everything from food, snacks, handcrafted goods, and more. It’s the perfect way to start off a Saturday in the city.

The Grey Lynn Farmers Market is a smaller, local community Sunday market in the Grey Lynn neighborhood. It’s a small market with an amazing local atmosphere, smiling neighbors, and a great array of organic produce. It’s right in the center of the neighborhood and it’s really charming! There are plenty of cafes nearby that are always filled with customers going in and out of the market. I stayed in Grey Lynn during my time in Auckland and really loved this quaint neighborhood.

9. Visit the Auckland Domain and Auckland War Memorial Museum

Price: Free for the park, free entry to the museum for residents, $28 NZD for non-residents

More volcano remains? Say less! Auckland Domain is a huge city park on the remains of the Pukekawa volcano, which erupted hundreds of thousands of years ago. It’s one of the oldest and largest parks in Auckland. The park contains so many different areas, including the large Wintergardens, the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and dozens of walking trails.

It’s a great place to wander around or exercise in, with tons of trees and grassy meadows you can sit under and on. The most popular attraction in the park is the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which is one of New Zealand’s most important war memorials. It’s most well known for its Māori and Pacific collections, natural history resources, and major social and military history collections.

I visited on a rainy day in Auckland and really enjoyed the interactive volcano exhibit going on. However, if you don’t enjoy war history, you’re going to be bored with half of the museum, haha. The Māori collection is really impressive, with lifesize canoes, buildings, and structures that you can walk through.

10. Visit Cornwall Park + One Tree Hill

Price: Free

Another huge park in Auckland that is well worth visiting. What makes Cornwall Park unique is that it is actually made up of two parks together! But on a more interesting note, the park actually is farmland and has been more than a century. There is a working farm in Cornwall with sheep and cows you can see!

Similar to Tiritiri, Cornwall Park is also home to many birds and trees. But the park is especially known for its blooming flowers in the spring, with over 25,000 plants growing throughout the seasons. Cornwall Park is the perfect place to have a picnic, meet with friends, or enjoy some alone time.

In the center of Cornwall Park is the iconic One Tree Hill, which is on an ancestral volcanic peak. At the top is a large obelisk that is a part of the Auckland landscape. The meaning behind the obelisk is still in contention, whether it symbolizes racial peace or promotes colonialism. Regardless, it is a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike.

11. Shop at Newmarket

Price: Free

As if there weren’t any more options for dining and shopping! Newmarket is a nice retail district near the Auckland Domain with a large Westfield mall. It’s a one-stop shop area, with streets filled with cafes, boutiques, restaurants, and more. Ironically, this neighborhood is one of Auckland’s smallest but busiest! You can find all the young people wandering about, perusing the newest clothing trends and snacks.

Newmarket is also the perfect place to grab brunch, with loads of brunch cafes opening up to serve the hungry population. Grab brunch, walk around, window (or actual) shop, and blend in with the locals.

12. Pakuranga Plaza Night Market

Price: Free

Tip: Bring cash; almost no one takes credit cards. Some vendors will use debit machines, but the signal in the parking structure is really poor.

Located in East Auckland, the Pakuranga Night Market is the largest night market in Auckland, with over 200 stalls. It’s part of the Auckland Night Markets organization that hosts night markets all over the city in a variety of locations. The organization started in Pakuranga, so it’s only fitting that the largest (and arguably best one) is at Pakuranga.

The night markets all boast an adventurous gastronomic experience with unique foods and stalls while also providing a lively social space for residents and visitors. Pakuranga Night Market is located in a parking garage and operates on Saturday nights. From the moment you arrive, you can feel the bustling energy and smell amazing foods.

I really enjoyed coming to this market, even though it is a bit far from central Auckland. But I think this is where you’ll see more Auckland locals coming together and just having a good time. The vendors are incredibly kind—one of them gave me my meal on the house after my payment didn’t go through!!!! It’s in a residential area that is worth experiencing if you’re looking to experience the suburbs. There is a large selection of Pacific Islander and Asian foods, which are all delicious.

13. Coastal Walk From Point Erin Park to Westhaven Marina

Price: Free

If you didn’t get to see the Auckland Harbor Bridge, this is another great option. On the corner of Point Erin Park on the intersection of Curan St. and Sarsfield St., is a pedestrian walking path along the water. It’s a paved path with scenic views of the bay. The path eventually leads into the Harbour Bridge Pathway, which is a stone path along the water. Then, you’ll walk under a portion of the bridge and reach the Westhaven Marina. The Marina has one of the best views of the Auckland Bridge, and you’ll often see locals parked in their cars watching the sunset.

This was one of the last things I did on my trip to Auckland, and it was the perfect way to end. It’s scenic, walkable, and along the water, making the perfect environment for quiet contemplation. I recommend going a little before sunset time and watching the sunset once you get to the bridge. It gets a little chilly in the evening, so make sure to wear layers!

14. Karangahape Road

Price: Free

Back to Auckland Central! Karangahape Road is the main road in the central district, also informally known as “K Road.” It’s one of the largest and most vibrant roads in Auckland and was one of the busiest in the early 1900s. It’s known for its vibrant and diverse atmosphere and is also Auckland’s main LGBTQIA+ district. There’s also tons of colorful street art along this road, making it a visual masterpiece.

You’ll find lots of unique independent shops, from vintage clothing and bookstores to record shops. And the food scene on K-Road is truly unmatched, housing several award-winning eateries like the famous Malaysian restaurant Sri Panang. Last, there are a plethora of bars, clubs, and music venues you can go to for a night out in Auckland. You can’t go to Auckland Central without walking on or passing by this iconic road.

15. Go Wine Tasting in Kumeu

Price: Tastings are $10 NZD per person, and a wine tour will cost around $80 NZD+

Are you a wine fan? Then you have to go wine tasting in Kumeu, which is the wine-making region in West Auckland. Kumeu has great fertile land that is perfect for growing grapes, with mild climates that extend the grape growing period. This region is internationally known for its Chardonnay and Merlot. You didn’t expect a wine region right next to Auckland, did you?

Some of the most famous wineries in Kumeu are Soljans Estate Winery, Westbrook Winery, and the Hunting Lodge. Westbrook Winery has multi-award-winning Chardonnays and a gorgeous winery estate with a small pond surrounded by a forest of trees. The Hunting Lodge is the perfect place to get a nice cheese and wine sampler with the most amazing homemade focaccia bread I have ever tasted.

Unless you are renting a car, the best way to go wine tasting is to book a tour. I booked with NZ Wine Pro and did their Kumeu Vineyard Tour. I loved my tour guide and that day, the tour was just me and another person! It was the perfect way to taste wine, get to know a fellow traveler (now friend), and learn more about the region!

Is 3 days in Auckland enough?

Honestly, three days in Auckland is the perfect amount of time. You can spend one day exploring around Auckland Central and the Harbor and one day seeing all the nature spots. Then, the last day can be a shopping, dining, and relaxing day. I was struggling to find activities and places to go after 4-5 days in Auckland—you don’t need much time to experience what the city has to offer.

Is Auckland, New Zealand, worth visiting?

Auckland, New Zealand, is worth visiting as a part of a larger tour of New Zealand, in my opinion. While it’s a large city, there are actually not too many things to do and see before you start wanting to look for a different city to visit. Most people visit New Zealand for nature and use Auckland as a starting place for their road trip or tour of the North Island. To put it succinctly, Auckland is a nice place to live in, with loads of cafes and green spaces to relax in. But it might be considered boring for visitors looking for a lot of fun activities or places to see.

Is Auckland expensive?

Auckland is on the more expensive side, but it isn’t the most expensive place to visit. I would say eating and drinking in Auckland is relatively the same and slightly cheaper compared to prices in large cities like San Francisco or New York City. If you’re using USD or EUR, your money will go a little farther here than at home. However, what is expensive in New Zealand is nature excursions or tours outside of Auckland. A week’s tour in New Zealand can easily cost 1-1.5K USD.

Make the Most of Your Trip in Auckland

Kiwis love to make fun of Auckland because there’s nothing to do there, and while there is some truth to it, don’t let it stop you from having a good time. There are plenty of things to do in Auckland that make it a nice place to visit. Sample amazing food, visit incredible natural attractions, learn about Māori culture, and get a glimpse of what it’s like to live in New Zealand. Happy travels!

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