Places To Visit In Auckland

The favourite among Auckland tourist attractions is the Auckland Sky Tower. Not just an iconic building in Auckland's skyline, but standing 220m above street level, it is also the tallest building in the whole of the southern hemisphere! Hop onto the observation deck of the tower and get unobstructed views of the whole city. If luck favours, view the clear skies and magical sunsets, and catch the views faraway up to 80km! The sky tower in Auckland boasts an impressive casino and varied dining options to choose from such as Orbit 360°. You can enjoy a scrumptious meal at the backdrop of the beautiful city skyline.

Waitematā Harbour, also known as the Auckland Harbour is the prime gateway to Auckland via sea. With limited tidal range and sluggish tides, this harbour consists of ideal berthing conditions for large ships. The harbour offers a one-day regatta held annually with an enthusiastic atmosphere that attracts hundreds of tourists to Auckland. The nearby cafes and eateries serve good munchies if you want to take a short break between your visits.

Auckland Harbour Bridge is an 8-lane motorway bridge across Waitematā Harbour and is also an important place to visit in Auckland. This bridge is Auckland's landmark. Originally constructed in 1959, this honorary bridge expanded its lanes from 4 to 8 and introduced pedestrian crosswalks recently. It also has a special walkway. If you wish to explore the view while in Auckland, then crossing this bridge will serve you the best of the city's sights.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum counts amongst the most significant museums in New Zealand. The war memorial exhibits a historical focus on the past and the military stories of New Zealand making it one of the top places of attraction in Auckland. While in the museum, observe the symbolic characteristics that were built inside it. Take a look at the carvings of the war chronology of the country, and the exteriors that have the titles of battles participated by New Zealanders can be seen engraved.

The Auckland Zoo is one of New Zealand’s premier zoological parks. The Zoo is spread over 40 acres of land and is home to nearly 1400 native and exotic animals of 138 different species. It has a variety of enclosures and exhibits for the animals, like the hippo river, the orangutan trail or the tiger territory. If you are visiting with kids, then there is a kids' play area with animals like chickens, guinea pigs and frogs displayed for a fun activity.

While in Auckland, visit the largest public Art Gallery in New Zealand. With a wide range of national and international art on display, it conducts regular international travel exhibitions which invites tourists and art enthusiasts from all over the world.The art is a depiction of New Zealand's visual history. The Auckland Art Gallery is counted amongst the top places to visit in Auckland. And while there, it is ideal to understand the history of New Zealand through this visit.

Located 40 mins by a ferry ride from Auckland, Waiheke is a haven of beautiful vineyards and beaches. Waiheke is home to a dreamy experience, be it in landscape, lifestyle and experience. The white sandy beaches around the Hauraki Gulf are a perfect spot for swimming, having a picnic or to simply enjoy some surreal views. If you wish to stay overnight and sleep under the stars, you can rent a beach house or you can book a backpacker hostel on a budget. Getting around the island is also easy because there are multiple options of public transport.

Previously recognized as the Viaduct Basin, the Viaduct Harbour is an old commercial port on the waterfront of Auckland that has been turned into a collective of luxury homes, restaurants and huge buildings. If you're a foodie, the Viaduct is a fantastic place to grab a bite while enjoying the stunning views of the waterfront. With multiple restaurants and bars to choose from, catch the sight of the yachts and the boats from the edge of the water. A perfect place to spend your afternoon in Auckland.

Auckland is famous in the world for its maritime life. If you wish to experience a great variety of aquatic animals up close, then take an immersive ride through Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium in Auckland. Get the chance to witness the largest sub-Antarctic penguin community show in the world and the greatest shark collection in New Zealand. Stroll through a thrilling view of the Southern Ocean and explore the water kingdom including dolphins, sea horses and more. There is a live jellyfish show to add more fun to your visit.

Comprising marine reserves, vineyards and some thrilling hiking trails, the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is spread around in an area of around 1.2 million hectares. Located in the North Island of New Zealand, there are more than 50 islands in the park. Some of these islands are public conservation land while many other islands are open to the public. However, some of the islands are shelters for endangered animals for which the tourist needs a permit to visit.

Auckland's eastern coast is studded with gorgeous forest-rimmed beaches that are top spots for outdoor activities like swimming and sun-bathing during summers. Takapuna Beach, overlooking Rangitoto Island across the water, is one of the finest sandy beaches in the city and is absolutely worth the popularity. Nearby are the less crowded Milford Beach and Cheltenham Beach. If you are adventurous, then a short drive out of the city offers you with even more spectacular beaches. These unexplored incredible beaches will definitely be the highlight of your visit to Auckland.

In the North Island of New Zealand and the centre of the Tamaki isthmus resides the One Tree Hill Domain which is also known as Maungakiekie. Besides the majestic Rangitoto, it is the biggest impact crater in Auckland. If you trek to the top, you can see the exquisite views of the harbours of Auckland. The close proximity of this place of attraction from the town makes it an ideal destination for the tourists all throughout the year. If you visit at sunset or at night, the view from the top is exclusively spectacular.

With its great history and distinctive character, the Albert park owns a special place in the hearts of the people of Auckland making it a must- visit destination for visitors. Albert Park, a beautiful garden space is a substantial public park popular among the locals as well. Known for its floral clock and towering palm trees, the park has prime visiting spots such as the Victorian fountain, sculptures of Queen Victoria and the symbolic statue of Boyd. It also adorns an Argentine ombu tree with its roots growing above the grounds. The Auckland Art Gallery is also situated here.

Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens offers a great day out for an outdoor garden visit. If you are a sculpture and cafe enthusiast, then this place is for you. It is located on a rural property at a time distance of 45 minutes north-west of Auckland. This tourist destination adorns the stunning views over the Kaipara Harbour. A short trail of around 1km takes the people visiting through a variety of garden experiences and around 40 sculptures by established and emerging New Zealand artists. Plants within the gardens are arranged in a labelled manner, perfect for a knowledgeable nature visit, which is also soothing to the eyes.

Visit the Huakaiwaka Visitor Centre to enjoy the seasonal displays and garden information. Then head out into the beautiful gardens for some natural panoramic views that will delight and inspire you in multiple ways. Visit the award winning Harry Potter Children’s Garden, and know about the rarest native plants. You can also enjoy the collection of large scale outdoor sculpture. The Gardens in Auckland are one of the finest attractions for tourists to visit in New Zealand.

Puhoi Historic Village is a pretty settlement located 50 kilometres north of Auckland. The quaint and quiet village is nestled alongside the Puhoi River. The Church of Saint Peter and Paul is a beautiful structure much photographed by the visitors. If you are hungry, the hotel and pub overlooking the river is a popular spot for lunch and drinks. There is also a quaint store where the tourists can grab a coffee and enjoy the small library in it. If you're planning to visit Auckland, then a visit to the Puhoi village is a must on that checklist!