Auckland

Travel Guide

Sky Tower which includes city views, general coastal views and a city
Devonport featuring a river or creek, skyline and a city
Devonport featuring flowers and a park
Auckland which includes modern architecture, a city and a high-rise building
Auckland which includes a city and a bay or harbour

Auckland Travel Guide Video

Nature experiences abound in this city surrounded by harbors and rain forest. Go island hopping, dine out on the water or peer into the crater of a volcano.

Auckland is as much a gateway to a natural playground as it is an urban paradise, with museums, shopping and fine dining. The biggest city on New Zealand’s North Island has coast on one side and mountains on the other. Manukau Harbour is to the southwest, the Hauraki Gulf and its islands to the east, and the rain forest-covered Waitakere Ranges to the west. Take the glass elevator at the Sky Tower in downtown Auckland for a spectacular view of the cityscape, mountains and harbor from a height of 722 feet (220 meters).

Auckland is built on and around several extinct volcanoes. The suburb of Mount Eden is built on the side of a cinder-cone volcano. Climb to the top to look into the 164-foot (50-meter) deep crater. The gardens in Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park, flourish in the volcanic soil and natural springs of the Pukekawa volcano. Learn about Auckland’s natural history, the culture of the Maori people, and local art and crafts in the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which is located on the highest point of the Domain.

Navigating Auckland is easy, with buses, trains and ferries servicing the downtown area. You can take the hop-on, hop-off Explorer Bus for commentary and sightseeing. Rent a car to venture out of the city.

There are 138 species of wildlife housed in the award-winning habitats of the Auckland Zoo. Catch a glimpse of the iconic kiwi and get up-close to rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs and primates.

Sailing boats and super yachts moor in Viaduct Harbour, home to the maritime museum and more than 30 bars and restaurants that line the water. Ferries leave from here for the islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Waiheke Island, a 40-minute ferry trip away, is a great place to hike, sample gourmet food and see stunning beaches.

Head to the hills behind Auckland to hike and camp in the wilderness. Many miles of trails wind through the rain forest and along the coast in the Waitakere Ranges. For serious “trampers,” as hikers are known in New Zealand, there’s the challenging 46-mile (75-kilometer) Hillary Trail, which includes three nights camping and four days tramping. Many visitors go for a day trip through the ranges by rental car or tour bus.

Where to stay in Auckland

Auckland CBD featuring street scenes and cbd

Auckland Central Business District

4/5(215 area reviews)

Known for its captivating waterfront views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Auckland Central Business District. Check out top attractions like Sky Tower and Queen Street Shopping District, and jump on the metro at Gaunt Street Tram Stop or Halsey Street Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Auckland Central Business District
Butterfly Creek which includes marine life

Auckland Airport

If you're spending some time in Auckland Airport, Butterfly Creek and Treasure Island Adventure Golf are top sights worth seeing.

Auckland Airport
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Viaduct Harbour

The captivating waterfront views and popular shops are a few things travellers love about Viaduct Harbour. Check out New Zealand Maritime Museum or Princes Wharf while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Halsey Street Tram Stop to get around town.

Viaduct Harbour
Rainbow\'s End which includes rides, a pool and a water park

Manukau

Manukau is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Westfield Manukau City Shopping Centre and Rainbow's End while in the area.

Manukau
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Mangere

Mangere is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Villa Maria Auckland Winery or Otuataua Stonefields.

Mangere
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Takapuna

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Takapuna. A stop by Bruce Mason Centre or Takapuna Beach might round out your trip.

Takapuna
Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
5 out of 5
83 Symonds Street, Box 2771, Auckland
The price is €105 per night from 18 May to 19 May
€105
18 May - 19 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star spa hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,276 reviews)
"Good stay but the standard seems to have dropped from previous stays. Room was starting to look worn in places and public areas not as opulent as they used to be. Staff were still friendly and professional."

Reviewed on 10 May 2025

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
Novotel Auckland Airport
Novotel Auckland Airport
4.5 out of 5
35 Tom Pearce Dr, Auckland International Airport, Auckland
The price is €147 per night from 1 Jun to 2 Jun
€147
1 Jun - 2 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,723 reviews)
"Novotel quality rooms, not so much in the cafe, pretty average"

Reviewed on 12 May 2025

Novotel Auckland Airport
The Grand by SkyCity
The Grand by SkyCity
5 out of 5
90 Federal Street, Auckland
The price is €137 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
€137
2 Jun - 3 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 11 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,662 reviews)
"This is our go to hotel. Always treated respectfully, staff are friendly. Close to everything in town. Kids love the pool. Gym is decent, not a lot of equipment but enough for us. Breakfast is always great. We stayed at Easter time, kids loved the Easter eggs available at breakfast time :)"

Reviewed on 10 May 2025

The Grand by SkyCity
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland Britomart
Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland Britomart
4.5 out of 5
2 Tapora Street, Auckland
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,032 reviews)
"This spot is ideal if you are going to the Sparks arena for an event. It’s a 10-15 minute walk to the Ferry Building & train station. Staff were friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on 6 May 2025

Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland Britomart
VR Auckland City
VR Auckland City
4 out of 5
188 Hobson Street, Auckland
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,406 reviews)
"It was a nice stay! The studio I payed was the best I’ve ever seen so far for how it is built:)"

Reviewed on 9 May 2025

VR Auckland City
Swiss-Belsuites Victoria Park Auckland
Swiss-Belsuites Victoria Park Auckland
4.5 out of 5
206 Victoria Street West, Auckland, Auckland
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (974 reviews)
"Beautiful scenery"

Reviewed on 8 May 2025

Swiss-Belsuites Victoria Park Auckland
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Auckland

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
63
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
106
4 - Good 55%
3 - Okay
19
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Built on 7dormant volcanoes very steep inclines wish I had been fitter

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Hilly

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Spent 5 days here but 3 would have been enough.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Only visited the skytower. Please delete the two entries arked terrible, iclicked by mistake and couldnt amend

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A lot of road works and building renovations happening at the moment

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Good free walking tour