Auckland Attractions & Activities

Auckland is a city that offers a mix of culture, nature and activity.  It is really hard not to be outdoors when in Auckland and there really is plenty to amuse you.  Auckland's location in the North Island means that there are plenty of things to do and see within the city or only a few hours drive away into the Greater Auckland Region.

Auckland Featured Activities & Attractions

Central Auckland - within walking distance or a short bus ride (or city centre pick-up)

Image via Wikipedia

• AJ Hackett Bungy - Bungy off the Auckland Harbour Bridge
• Auckland Skytower - Jump off it, walk round it, eat in it, lose all your money
• Auckland Zoo - who doesn't love the Zoo?
• NZ Skydive - the highest NZ Skydive at 16000ft
• Stardome Observatory - enjoy Aucklands beautiful night sky
• Whale & Dolphin safari - go whale and dolphin spotting in Auckland
• Viaduct Harbour - hang out with trendy people 

Greater Auckland Region

• Piha Black Sand Beach - the most famous surf beach in New Zealand, just a short distance from Auckland
• Rainbows End - Aucklands fun theme park, just a short drive from the centre of Auckland
• Spookers - Scare yourself silly at this Haunted House (a former mental institution!)

Islands in the Hauraki Gulf

• Beachbum Bus Waiheke Island - Drink wine, sunbathe on Waiheke beaches, meet Dan & Bodhi!
• Rangitoto Island - visit a volcano in the Hauraki Gulf
• Tiritiri Matangi - a beautiful island in the Hauraki Gulf

Aucklands North Shore (& a bit further North)

• Magic Broomstick Segway Tours - see Devonport on a magic broomstick i.e. on a Segway!
• Puhoi & The Art of Cheese - although this is a short drive north of Auckland if you like cheese this historic village is an absolute must
• Waiwera Thermal Pools - head North and watch a film in a thermal pool!

Culture and Arts

Many of Auckland's tourist attractions can be found within walking distance or bus ride from Queen Street and the Viaduct Harbour, both of which are attractions in themselves with plenty of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants to fill your days.  From here you can visit the Auckland Museum, All Saints Church, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamori, Clevedon Gallery, Flagstaff Gallery, Gabriella Lewenz's studio, Glenbrook Vintage Railway, Museum of Transport and Technology, NZ Historic places trust, Te Raukohekohe Museum and Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum.

Auckland Activities

Leisure activities are in abundance in Auckland with Kelly Tarltons Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, Auckland Zoo, Butterfly Creek, Rainbow's End Theme Park, Spookers, SnowPlanet, SheepWorld Farm and Nature Park, Ti Point Reptile Park Skycity Casino and Waiwera Infinity Thermal Spa Resort, you can even ride a Segway.

For adrenaline junkies, Auckland can give you two buildings to throw yourself off, the Sky Tower Jump and the A.J. Hackett bungy jump off the harbour bridge.

Auckland Parks

Auckland is a green city with plenty of areas to walk around and enjoy the fresh air.  The Auckland Botanic Gardens, the Domain, Auckland Gardens and Parnell Rose Garden are all within walking distance of the harbour.  By straying a little bit further you can enjoy Auckland regional parks, Ayrlies, Cornwall Park, Eden Garden, Mangemangeroa reserve, One Tree Hill and Zealandia sculpture garden.

Auckland Islands, Hauraki Gulf

As much about beautiful scenery as it is a city, Auckland is home to some spectacular scenery.  Auckland's Hauraki Gulf and the city's surrounding area boasts stunning nature, flora and fauna.  Attractions to visit within the Hauraki Gulf include Waiheke Island (island of wine), Rangitoto Island, Pohutukawa Coast and Clevedon Country, Tiritiri Matangi Island, Great Barrier Island and Motuihe Island.  All of these islands can be visited just for the day by ferry from downtown Auckland at the harbour.

The gulf is home to many species of marine wildlife including whales and dolphins which can be seen almost daily on a Whale & Dolphin Safari.

Auckland Beaches

If sandy beaches are more attractive to you then Auckland can offer you these too from only a short bus ride away.  The Howick beaches and Mission Beach provides open views of the Huaraki Gulf as well as some excellent restaurants.  A little further is Piha black sand beach and Lion Rock where there is the option to go canyoning in the nearby waterfalls.  It comes as no surprise that some of Auckland's beaches have been film locations, including Devonport's Cheltenham Beach and Muriwai Beach for the Piano.

Major Events, Auckland

As New Zealand's biggest city Auckland attracts major events every year, from music events such as Big Day Out, Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park and A Day on the Green, to sporting events including NZ Festival of Motor Racing, ASB Classic, Heineken Cup, Louis Vuitton World Series and the International Boat Show.  Auckland is also preparing to host the Rugby World Cup in 2011. The Auckland Vector Arena has attracted many artists and events from Crowded House and Stevie Wonder to Justin Timberlake and Kylie Minogue.  Recent events also include a visit from the Dalai Lama, the Vodaphone New Zealand Music Awards and WWE Raw Tour Live.

If all this doesn't take up your time in Auckland then the city is the perfect place to venture further afield with Taupo, Rotorua, Bay of Islands and Northland within 4 hours drive of sensational scenery and quaint villages to pop in to along the way.