Sightseeing in Auckland
Auckland city has over 50 volcanoes which create Auckland’s beautiful skyline and excellent vantage points.
Maungawhau Mount Eden is a short distance from the central city and along with Rangitoto has some of the finest views of the city and the harbour. It’s a short but steepish walk to the summit but worth it for the impressive crater and the perfect photo opportunity.
One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park is another beautiful Auckland spot – climb to the summit then have coffee or a wine at one of the cafes, take a stroll around the gracious park grounds and visit the local sheep population that grazes the farms on the volcano’s flanks. You can tick off quite a few of Auckland’s best spots if you take on the Coast to Coast Walkway - it’s a 16km walk from Onehunga on the Manukau Harbour (which is located on one side of the narrow isthmus Auckland sits on) to the Viaduct Harbour on the other side - when you get there you’ll find a cool drink awaits you at one of the many bars and pubs on the waterfront.
Tours are another great way to see Auckland. Choose from five-star coach or budget bus tours to luxury limousine rides or electric bicycle tours and select a tour that will take you to see the main attractions or join a special interest tour, from walking to wine.
Bike paths are increasingly twisting their way around the city - hire a bicycle or e-bike to take on Auckland’s hills and the city is your oyster. Start with a cruise along the waterfront towards Wynyard Wharf via the Wynyard Crossing - stop for coffee and brunch at one of the establishments on the waterfront at Wynyard Quarter or Jellicoe Street then cycle along Westhaven Drive past Westhaven Marina until you’re under the Harbour Bridge. Bike up Curran Street and along for a swim at lovely Sentinel Bay if it’s summer then up to Ponsonby for dinner - now that’s a day well spent!
In the other direction Mission Bay, Kohimarama and St Heliers are popular spots for an ice cream or a picnic and a walk - if you don’t have fish and chips at Mission Bay you haven’t really been to Auckland!
Explore the green pastures of Duder Regional Park by foot or mountain bike. The views over the Hauraki Gulf are spectacular. If walking is your thing, you can also take the 5km coastal walkway which passes picturesque beaches and reserves along the coast between Beachlands and Maraetai. There’s plenty of gorgeous spots for a swim or a picnic.
West Auckland is home to rugged coastlines, wind-swept black sand beaches, waterfalls, native trees, and some of Auckland’s best vineyards and eateries.
Or, if you have your own car, the outer reaches of the city are not too far away. Visit the rugged west coast beaches of Piha, the city's most dramatic spot for a picnic and a walk or surf with its volcanic black sand and wild waves (only swim in the lifeguard zones!), or Muriwai Beach where you can say hello to the gannets if they are in town. Other breathtaking west coast beaches are Te Henga (walk to the stunning Lake Wainamu for a swim) and Anawhata - it’s a short steep walk to the beach and a short sweaty walk back to the car.
Just north of Auckland is the Matakana region and the Tawharanui peninsula - this area has beautiful long white sand beaches, farmers markets and vineyards, and rolling countryside. Going further still, Auckland is the gateway to many other regions in the North Island. The world-renowned Hobbiton in Matamata is a day trip away, as is Rotorua to the south and the Bay of Islands awaits further north.
Speak to our Concierge team who are more than happy to make recommendations.
