There are many appealing attractions scattered around the city of Auckland, with bus tours, cruises and even balloon flights all providing easy and enjoyable ways for tourists to sightsee in this northern part of the North Island.The Explorer Bus Tours are a particularly popular and easy way to see many of Auckland's most impressive sights and tourist attractions. Along the way you will pass by sights such as the Bastion Point Lookout, Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World, the Parnell Rose Gardens, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Auckland Museum, the Parnell Village, the Civic Theatre Corner, the Sky Tower, the Wynyard Quarter and its Fish Market, and the America's Cup Viaduct Harbour.
Visitors to Auckland may also like to check out the plentiful surrounding walking trails, the waterfront restaurants within the vibrant Viaduct Harbour, and the views of Waitemata Harbour from Mission Bay. Further impressive panoramas can be enjoyed by visiting Achilles Point, Bastion Point and North Head.
Explorer Bus Tours
Tel: +0800 439 756
With interesting commentary and regular buses, these tours come with hop-on / hop-off tickets, allowing you to explore areas of interest and then catch the next available bus to continue the tour. An additional satellite bus follows the 'Blue Circle' route and connects the Eden Gardens, Mount Eden, the Westfield St. Lukes Shopping Centre, the city's zoological gardens and the Museum of Transport and Technology.
Open: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: day passes, charge, discounts available for children, senior citizens and families
Balloon Flights
Address: Albany, Auckland, 1330, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 416 8590
Balloon Flights around the North Shore are one of the most memorable ways to view the cityscape and provide exceptional panoramic views of Whakatakataka Bay. With many fine, sunny days and good weather conditions, balloon flights depart early most mornings from the Westgate Shopping Centre at nearby Massey. Flight times usually last in the region of one hour, with a glass of champagne and a light breakfast being included in the price - consisting of croissants, cheese and fruit. Of note, an age restriction applies, meaning that any children must be aged ten years or more.
Open: most days - from around 06:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, senior citizens and families
CruisesAddress: Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
Auckland offers a number of cruises around its north-easterly coastline, providing a breathtaking way to fully appreciate the city's skyline and landscape. A variety of different cruises are available, including lunchtime trips with buffets, guided tours with informative commentary, and evening cruises with dinner and dancing. There are also some glass-bottom boats, which allow you to view colourful marine life around locations such as the Gulf Harbour, areas of the Hauraki Gulf, the Remuera area, the nearby Goat Island marine reserve and around many nearby islands.
Open: daily - hours vary
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, senior citizens and families
Walking / Tramping
Tel: +64 (0)9 979 2333
New Zealand is full of exceptional walking / tramping trails, often with outstanding views of the surrounding countryside and coast. Tourist information centres in Auckland provide a wealth of information about the various guided tours and self-guided tours available here, many of which take in some of the city's most beautiful buildings and provide a real insight into bygone days. Particularly notable is the Coast to Coast Walkway, as well as the Grafton Heritage Walk, the Historic Ponsonby Heritage Walk, the Howick Historic Walk, the Old Devonport Walk, the Onehunga Heritage Walk and the Parnell Heritage Walk, all of which are self-guided.
Open: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free, charge for some guided tours
Viaduct Harbour / Viaduct BasinAddress: Viaduct Harbour, Auckland, 1001, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 979 2333
Formerly functioning as a commercial harbour before the harbour channels were dredged, Viaduct Harbour is an especially trendy part of the city. Famous for playing an important part in the America's Cup yachting race, the harbour's present-day attractions come in the form of lively street cafés, restaurants and bars, boasting exceptional views of the nearby waterfront and the stunning yachts moored close by, a number of which can be chartered for the day or week.
Open: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free
Achilles Point
Address: Cliff Road, St. Heliers Bay, Auckland, 1005, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 979 2333
Also known as 'Te Pane o Horoiwi', Achilles Point lies on the eastern side of the city, being close to Gentleman's Bay and the ancient volcanic crater named Glover Park, and between the Tamaki River estuary and St. Heliers. This rocky point is situated next to the beach of Ladies Bay and is named after the HMNZS Achilles battleship, which played an important part in the events of WWII. A viewing platform provides spectacular views across Ladies Bay and beyond, while there are also walking trails and a number of scenic picnic spots.
Open: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free
Bastion Point
Address: Tamaki Drive, Auckland, 1005, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 979 2333
With stunning views across Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf, Bastion Point is within easy reach of the city centre and is a popular recreational location, with beautiful landscaped gardens nearby. Known as Takaparawhau in Maori and based within the suburb of Orakei, the point is known for its past events and Maori protests of the 1970s. This spot is where you will find the Savage Memorial, which commemorates the life and achievements of Michael Joseph Savage, New Zealand's very first labour prime minister (in office from 1935 to 1940).
Open: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free
Mission Bay
Address: Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay, Auckland, 1005, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 979 2333
Situated on the eastern side of the city, Mission Bay fronts the southerly shoreline of Waitemata Harbour and has much to offer tourists on holiday, since it boasts some splendid sandy beaches, scenic picnic areas with seating, and playgrounds for children. The suburb is also called home by a number of street cafés and restaurants, along with friendly wine bars and gift shops. Worth looking out for is the Trevor Moss Davis Memorial Fountain and its bronze sea monsters.
Open: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free
North Head
Address: Devonport, Auckland, 1250, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 445 9142
Based on the north shore of the city, North Head contains many of the city's most important military remains, such as large tunnels, bunkers, battlement areas and batteries - namely the North, South and Cautley / Summit batteries. The self-guided walking trails will reveal a wealth of military memorabilia, as well as some impressive views across the Hauraki Gulf and the Waitemata Harbour. Rangitoto Island is clearly visible in the distance.
Open: daily - 07:00 to 22:00
Admission: free
Waitakere Ranges
Address: Waitakere City, Auckland, 1008, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 303 1530
Located in western Auckland and within easy driving distance of the city centre, the Waitakere Ranges are a group of mountains and hills, rich in native flora and fauna. Dominating this part of the North Island and stretching for some 25 km / 16 miles, attractions around this chain of hills include tramping pathways, picnic spots and a popular visitors' centre, where you can learn all about the varied wildlife living here, such as the short- and long-tailed bats, glow-worms and large land snails. Keen surfers may like to check out the beaches of Karekare, Muriwai, Piha and Te Henga.
Open: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free
Western Springs
Address: Great North Road, Auckland, 1002, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 307 7604
The park of Western Springs resides on the south-western side of the city, alongside the zoo and the Chamberlain Park Golf Course. Visitors will discover a number of large lakes full of local wildfowl, colourful birds and wildlife. These man-made lakes were once actually responsible for much of the city's water supply, before alternative reservoirs were built, and today provide an important recreational area, with children's playgrounds, picnic spots and walking trails.
Open: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free
Theatres
Auckland has a number of good theatres and entertainment venues, where musicals, concerts, shows and many other performances are staged. These include the following:
- Aotea Centre
Address: Queen Street, Aotea Square, Auckland, 1001, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 307 5060 - Auckland Theatre Company
Address: 54 Wellesley Street West, Auckland, 1001, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 309 3355 - Civic
Address: Queen Street, Auckland, 1001, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 307 5075 - Pumphouse Theatre and Gallery
Address: Killarney Park, Manurere Avenue, Takapuna, Auckland, 1309, North Island, New Zealand
Tel: +64 (0)9 486 2386
