Auckland, known as the city of Sails, a North Island Metropolis that has one of the best has the country’s best waterfront, skyline, and more beaches. This largest city and international Seaport offers many attractions from the most pristine beaches to its historical sites, different festivals for every occasion, vibrant people, and culture that will leave you astonished and give you a memorable holiday in this city. The city never stops entertaining its people which is why this is one of the best destinations if you plan to holiday in New Zealand.
10 Places To Visit In Auckland
1. Sky Tower
Photo: Marco Klapper / Wikimedia Commons
At 328 meters in height, the Sky Tower is the tallest building in New Zealand and a significant feature of the Auckland skyline. It provides a perfect perspective to look down on the city with its 360-degree views that stretch up to 80 kilometres. These wonderful sights can be viewed from the observation decks or one can take a risk and walk outside the building’s perimeter known as the SkyWalk. If you are looking for an extreme sport, you can also try the SkyJump where you free fall for 192 meters within a controlled base jump.
Timings: 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Entry Fee: ₹6000 approx Adult, ₹3000 approx Child
2. The Auckland War Memorial
Photo: Daan Hoffmann / Wikimedia Commons
It is located in the beautiful Auckland Domain and is one of the best museums you would find in New Zealand for cultural and historical heritage. The museum occupies an impressive neoclassical structure and takes the visitor through the rich history of New Zealand. There are displays dedicated to the history and exhibit of the Māori and Pasifika peoples, natural history, and warfare. The Māori galleries contain displays of beautifully carved objects, a big waka (boat), and an impressive wharenui (meeting house).
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee: Free
3. Waiheke Island
Photo: russellstreet / Wikimedia Commons
Waiheke Island, located only 40 minutes by ferry from Auckland, is a beautiful destination with beautiful beaches, vineyards, and artistic people. Dubbed ‘The Kissed By The Sun’ island of wines famous for the award-winning wineries where visitors would get a tasting alongside a cuisine with breathtaking views. The terrain is so beautiful that it encourages physical activities such as hiking, visiting the beautiful beaches and caves, or even kayaking in the ocean. Apart from the extreme nature, there are art galleries, souvenir shops, and quite a delicious local cuisine that assures maximum recreation within this place.
Attractions: Estates, wineries, beaches
Best time to visit: October to November, March to April
4. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Photo: Joyofmuseums / Wikimedia Commons
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is the largest one and houses a collection of over 15000 artworks from all ages and backgrounds. Set within an award-winning structure that combines the old and new, the gallery contains Pacific and Maori art, European paintings of the greatest masters, and contemporary art by famous artists from New Zealand. It organizes international shows, children’s events, talks, and workshops. When talking about the collections in the gallery, the importance of indigenous culture and native crafts is clearly expressed with its Māori name – Toi o Tāmaki.
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee: Free
5. Rangitoto Island
Photo: Duncnbiscuit / Wikimedia Commons
Rangitoto Island, situated just a ferry ride from Auckland City, is a volcanic island that possesses beautiful terrains and adventurous activities as well as a recent eruption, which took place approximately 600 years ago, it is also the youngest and biggest of all volcanoes located in Auckland, New Zealand, and features interesting lava fields, Indigenous forests, and unparalleled coastal sites. Many enjoy hiking, an experience made even more exhilarating as the summit track provides scenic views of the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland City. For an unforgettable adventure, an incursion into the ancient lava tubes, or get to the island during sunrise and sundown, for a mesmerizing experience.
Attractions: Birdwatching, walking trails, fishing, swimming,
Best Time To Visit: Anytime
6. Viaduct Harbour
Photo: Ziqi CHAI / Wikimedia Commons
Viaduct Harbour is the lively waterfront area of Auckland, quite known for its energy, marina, and quality cuisine. Engineered right in the middle of the city, this place attracts many clients for its calm waterfront, fine nightclubs with yacht restaurants, and delicacies offered by several international standard hotels. It also serves the harbour for big occasions like the America’s Cup or food fairs making it rather animated. A walk along the promenades, you will find public exhibitions, small stores, and crowds.
Attractions: Birdwatching, walking trails, fishing, swimming,
Best Time To Visit: Anytime
7. Mt Eden
Photo: Bruce Hayward / Wikimedia Commons
Mt. Eden, or Maungawhau, is the highest volcanic cone in Auckland and stands at 196 meters, thus providing excellent sweeping views of the entire city and its coastline from the top. This volcano that is not active carries great significance to the Māori people and has terraced edges. Visiting the summit involves a short hike through dense vegetation, some of which is now covered by this ancient site, and culminates in the eye-catching grass-covered crater and just beyond it, the expansive view of the city.
Timings: 7:30 AM – 3 PM
Entry Fee: Free
8. Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium
Photo: Jonathan Harker / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium in Auckland is not just any aquarium as it is located underwater and has a walk-up with different wildlife around the person. It is an aquarium designed around the first Arctic Adventure Center and located in the stormwater tanks along the city’s waterfront. It includes New Zealand’s first painted underwater tunnel where people board to walk underneath swimming sharks, rays, and many other colourful fish. One of its key attractions is the Antarctic Ice Adventure, which features the biggest sub-Antarctic penguin colony in the world.
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee: ₹1800
9. Albert Park
Photo: Michael Zimmer / Wikimedia Commons
In the vicinity of the Auckland CBD, Albert Park is a tastefully designed green area providing a haven from the busy urban setting. It dates from the nineteenth century when it was formed, and it is famous for, among other things, its scenic gardens, old monuments, and a beautiful fountain in the middle that leans towards the Victorians. This park is great for people who want to picnic, take a stroll, or simply admire the view of Auckland’s skyline. The other side of the park has numerous native flora plants and flowers which are beautiful as well as the Auckland Art Gallery and University of Auckland to take a chill out or immerse in the excitement of the surroundings.
Timings: 24*7
Entry Fee: Free
10. Mission Bay Beach
Photo: MissionBeach / Wikimedia Commons
Mission Bay Beach is the favourite urban beach amongst Aucklanders due to its ideal proportions for resting and doing some activities. Just a few min drive from the city center enjoy some golden sand in a calm enclosed bay perfect for swimming, lapping up the sun, or engaging in water activities. The wide path along the beach is filled with small shops that sell food, drinks, and ice cream enticing the natives and visitors alike to the area. Visitors can also take in the breathtaking scenery of Rangitoto Island on the other side of the water or simply stroll around the beach.
Activities: Partying, water sports, nature walks, swimming
Best Time To Visit: March-May, September-November
In conclusion, Tourists can gaze over beautiful landscapes from the Sky Tower, and enjoy the picturesque sights of volcanic Rangitoto or the wineries of Waiheke Island, all inclusive of the city’s metropolitan settings. Acclaimed museums such as the Auckland War Memorial Museum or the Art Gallery are important in educating people about the history of New Zealand. Auckland will always be a fun place to visit for all ages without fail. So, book a trip with TripXL and create a trail of awesome memories in this beautiful city of Auckland.
Cover Photo: elpinto007 / Wikimedia Commons