Top 10 Things to Do in Auckland on a First Visit, NZ

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Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and home to a quarter of the country’s population.

As such, it’s a busy place — but somehow this metropolis manages to maintain a relaxed and low-key feel. Life in Auckland is easy and breezy, and you’ll likely long to extend your stay!

Thanks to an enviable position between two harbours, boating plays a big part in the lifestyle of Aucklanders. So much so, that the city also goes by the moniker ‘City of Sails’. Getting out on the water during your visit is a must.

Auckland is situated just a three-hour flight from Australia’s east coast, and offers a wide range of accommodation options. While it’s so close to home, NZ travel insurance is a necessity to safeguard you against unforeseen circumstances.

Ready to dive in? Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Auckland on a first visit.

Watch our video of ten top things to do on a North Island road trip:

Ten Amazing Things to Do on the North Island, New Zealand 2020 – The Big Bus

Welcome to The Big Bus tour and travel guide’s YouTube channel. In this video, we bring you ten amazing things to do on a road trip around New Zealand’s fabu…

1. Discover the city’s past and present on a walking tour

New Zealand’s first people — the Māori — arrived around 800 years ago from Polynesia. European settlers and missionaries made an entrance from the early 1800s. They were followed by immigrants from Europe and more recently from Asia, many of whom made Auckland their home. One of the best ways to learn about the city’s history is to join a three-hour guided walk with Auckland Free Walking Tours. Their guides have a wealth of knowledge to share — and in addition to hearing fascinating stories of days gone by, you’ll pick up tips for what’s on around town, where to eat, and importantly, where to get the best coffee! Leave a tip commensurate with your enjoyment of the experience.

2. Admire the collections at Auckland Museum

Devote at least half a day to visiting Auckland Museum, which sits atop Observatory Hill (an extinct volcano) in the Domain parklands south-east of the CBD. This imposing neoclassical-style edifice was constructed in the 1920s as both a monument to Aucklanders who lost their lives in WWI and as a home for the city’s museum collection. The emotive War Memorial galleries have a particular emphasis on the two World Wars and how the first ANZAC campaign helped shape New Zealand’s national identity. One hundred thousand soldiers and five hundred nurses sailed for the battlefields of World War I; eighteen thousand never returned.

• Six of the best Auckland museums and galleries

The Māori galleries showcase the cultural heritage of New Zealand’s first people. The museum holds more than a thousand taonga (treasures) — the most extensive and significant collection of such artefacts in the world. Further galleries are dedicated to the peoples of the wider Pacific region.

Over in the natural history galleries, you can trace the evolutionary story of New Zealand, including the extinction of the famous Moa. There’s a model Moa on display, and at three metres high it’s one big bird!

3. Get arty at Auckland Art Gallery

Heading back towards the city, call in to see stunning Auckland Art Gallery. The architectural design has taken out numerous international prizes, including World Building of the Year. Inside, there are galleries dedicated to New Zealand and international art. Highlights include a holding of works by celebrated New Zealand artist Colin McCahon (1919-1987), a series of striking Māori portraits, and impressionist and cubist pieces by Monet and Picasso.

4. Soak in the views from Sky Tower

Speaking of architectural statement pieces — while the locals either love it or loathe it, Sky Tower is Auckland’s defining structure. Its main observation deck — 180 metres above the streets below — provides epic views on a clear day. You can test your nerve by walking around the outside of the tower on Sky Walk, travelling at high speed back to ground level via Sky Jump, or taking a virtual reality ride across the skyline on Sky Slide. For the less adventurous visitor, tackling the glass floor may be sufficient!

5. Eat out in the Viaduct

Auckland has a fabulous culinary scene, and the diversity of dining options is distilled in the Viaduct Basin district. This bustling waterfront precinct was developed in the lead-up to New Zealand’s America’s Cup defence in 1995, and today it’s home to around 30 bars and eateries. There are plenty of great choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and you can’t really go wrong. Soul Bar and Bistro has long been known for its fresh seafood, while Portofino dishes up contemporary Italian cuisine. Giraffe by celebrity chef Simon Gault is a great option for all-day dining.

6. Enjoy a sweet treat

For something sweet to round things off, make a beeline for Giapo in Auckland Central. Italian-born Giapo (Gianpaolo Grazioli) and his team create totally gluten free artisanal ice cream flavours like no other. Enjoy a cone with scoops of Double Cream Hokey Pokey, Auckland Summer Berries, Lady Lamington, Cher’s Dark Chocolate, and the list goes on.

7. Do a harbour cruise

Going to Auckland and not doing a harbour cruise is a bit like going to London and not seeing Big Ben. And there are lots of different options depending on your budget. Fullers 360’s 90-minute sightseeing cruise on Waitematā Harbour will set you back around $50 per person. Boarding at the historic Auckland Ferry Terminal, you’ll clock Sky Tower, Auckland Harbour Bridge, Bean Rock Lighthouse, and Devonport Naval Base. The experience is underscored by informative commentary.

If money is no object, you can opt to travel on board the world’s first fully electric hydrofoiling ferry. It’s four times the price of a standard cruise, but will see you gliding effortlessly above the waves on your tour of the harbour.

8. Explore the Domain

Auckland has lots of lovely civic parks and gardens, including the aforementioned Domain — at 75 hectares, the city’s largest expanse of green. It has many delightful features, including the Domain Wintergardens (which are housed in historic Victorian glasshouses), a native fernery (which occupies a former quarry), and a sculpture trail. Visit Auckland Museum, then spend a couple of hours exploring the Domain at your leisure.

9. Spend a day on Tiritiri Matangi Island

Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf makes a great day trip from Auckland. This pest-free open nature reserve is home to lots of feathered locals, including kiwis, the elusive kōkako, and the extremely rare takahē (considered one of New Zealand’s most vulnerable bird species). Meander along the coastal walking trail to discover dreamy coves and idyllic sandy beaches.

10. Walk from coast to coast

If you’re up for another really great walk, tackle the Coast to Coast Walkway. This 16-kilometre trek begins at the Viaduct on Waitematā Harbour, and crosses Auckland Domain, Albert Park, and Cornwall Park. You’ll pass through a university campus and along various suburban streets, before finishing the hike at Manukau Harbour.

This post was published thanks to Go Insurance.

For more travel inspiration, visit www.aucklandnz.com.

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Do you have any tips to add to our list of top things to do in Auckland on a first visit? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

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