Auckland

Travel Guide

Sky Tower which includes skyline, general coastal views and a city
Devonport featuring a city, a river or creek and skyline
Devonport which includes flowers and a garden
Auckland which includes a city, modern architecture and a skyscraper
Auckland showing a city and a bay or harbour

Auckland Travel Guide Video

A city surrounded by natural wonders, Auckland is perfect for all kinds of adventures, from eating out on the water, to going on safari to peeking inside a volcano.

The biggest city on New Zealand’s North Island, Auckland is more than just a stunning metropolis with great places to explore, shop and eat. It’s also a great base from which to discover the captivating natural landscape of the wider region, with a beautiful pristine coastline on one side of the city and mountains on the other.

To the south-west of Auckland, you’ll find the Hauraki Gulf, while to the west you can explore the rainforest of the Waitakere Ranges. Head for downtown Auckland’s Sky Tower and take a glass lift ride to the top so you can see it all for yourself from 220 metres above the ground.

Built on a range of extinct volcanoes, Auckland offers so much for visitors to explore. The suburb of Mount Eden lies on one side of a cinder-cone volcano you can climb up the mountain to look down into its 50-metre-deep crater. The region’s volcanic soil, as well as the natural springs of the Pukekawa volcano, provide a great location for the flowers and greenery to flourish in the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain.

At the Domain’s highest point, you’ll find the Auckland War Memorial Museum where you can learn more about the natural history of the region as well as the heritage of the Maori people. Take a trip elsewhere to the Auckland Zoo to see the iconic kiwi, as well as the many other kinds of animals among the 138 species of wildlife housed in its habitats.

At Viaduct Harbour you’ll see vessels large and small sailing on the water, with ferries departing here through the day for the islands in the Hauraki Gulf. From here, you can head to Waiheke Island just 40 minutes away (a great destination for hiking), enjoy some time on the beach, or sample some of the great food on offer.

Meanwhile, on the rising hills behind Auckland, you can explore miles of rainforest and coastal trails in the Waitakere Ranges, and get to camp out in the wilderness. If you’re a keen ‘tramper’ (as the New Zealanders call hikers), try the tough Hilary Trail which stretches for 75 kilometres and will give you a good four days’ walking. For a more sedate voyage, take a day trip through the ranges by car or bus.

It is easy to get around Auckland with buses, trains and ferries all available around the downtown area. The Explorer Bus is a great choice if you want to find out more about the sights of the city. Or if you want to go a little further afield, you can hire a car too.

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 Queen Street Shopping District and High Street, 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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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
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Albany

Unique features of Albany include the shopping and spas. Make a stop by North Harbour Stadium or Westfield Albany Shopping Centre while you're exploring the area.

Albany
Novotel Auckland Airport
Novotel Auckland Airport
4.5 out of 5
35 Tom Pearce Dr, Auckland International Airport, Auckland
The price is S$228 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
S$228
28 Jul - 29 Jul
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! (1,855 reviews)
"Friendly staff who were attentive and helpful. Beautiful room well decorated and comfortable. Very clean."

Reviewed on 7 Jul, 2025

Novotel Auckland Airport
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 S$150 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$150
13 Jul - 14 Jul
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. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,331 reviews)
"Great stay, wonderful staff and convenient location"

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
4.5 out of 5
63 Westney Road, Auckland
The price is S$151 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
S$151
23 Jul - 24 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,290 reviews)
"I enjoyed my stay and would happily recommend the hotel to anyone wanting convenience to the airport."

Reviewed on 8 Jul, 2025

JetPark Hotel Auckland Airport
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.
Ramada Suites By Wyndham Victoria Street West
Ramada Suites By Wyndham Victoria Street West
4 out of 5
147 Victoria Street West & Graham Street, Auckland
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (509 reviews)
"It was at a perfect location with restaurants at a walking distance."

Reviewed on 1 Jul, 2025

Ramada Suites By Wyndham Victoria Street West
Nesuto St Martins Apartment Hotel
Nesuto St Martins Apartment Hotel
4.5 out of 5
6-12 St Martins Lane, Auckland
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,378 reviews)
"Clean, handy to town & major public transport routes. Always an enjoyable stay at Nesuto."

Reviewed on 6 Jul, 2025

Nesuto St Martins Apartment Hotel
The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
4 out of 5
85-89 Custom St West, Auckland
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,469 reviews)
"Great location, enjoyed sitting in front of the window watching people walking by. Only disappointment was the didn't have decaf coffee, apart from that great stay."

Reviewed on 9 Jun, 2025

The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
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