Auckland is New Zealand's largest and most diverse city and also one of the most fun. For many travellers, it is both the first and last city they visit and you know what they say about first impressions. Fortunately, for many travellers, it is love at first sight. Auckland, also known as Tāmaki Makaurau, is a great city built on volcanoes, with green hills and modern architecture. It is the city of backpackers and hip bars, as well as the jet set with harbours and luxury yachts. Auckland is the perfect starting and ending point of your New Zealand trip. It is where you can buy or rent campervans and cars, meet other travellers or find work. It is the place where you decide the rest of your itinerary and where a wonderful journey begins!
Funky Auckland
To indicate how big this city is; one third of all New Zealanders live in this city. It is therefore a multicultural city. Besides Kiwis, as New Zealanders are also called, many Asians also live here. Despite this, Auckland has a convivial atmosphere and where you don't feel like you're in a big city.
This is not only because there are few high-rise buildings in Auckland, but also because nature is never far away. Auckland has more beaches than high-rise buildings. Within 20 minutes, you're lying on the beach, walking through forests and over mountains or visiting beautiful islands.
Combined with the fun sights, fine restaurants, cosy atmosphere and diversity, this is a great destination.
We have been there several times and each time we discover new things. Trendy bars, nice markets, cosy streets, special street art and fun day trips to places in the region. It really is a much nicer city than many people think.
Auckland harbour with the Sky Tower in the background
Auckland Town Hall in Queen Street
Is Auckland the capital or not?
Contrary to what many people think, Auckland is not the capital of New Zealand. That honour goes to Wellington. That is not to say that Auckland has everything it needs to be the capital.
Nor is it surprising that people think of Auckland as the capital because about 25 years ago it was also the capital. However, the government decided to move to Wellington. Nevertheless, Auckland is still the commercial heart of the country.
City of Sails
One of the first things you notice in this city are the brightly coloured sails in the harbour(s). After all, Aucklanders are avid sailors. Not surprisingly, the city is sometimes called City of Sails.
Auckland offers the perfect setting for sailing all year round. With generally calm waters and dozens of islands nearby, it is very popular with sailors.
Auckland is set in stunning surroundings
10x fun things to do in Auckland
New Zealand's largest city has no shortage of beautiful sights. Something that immediately stands out as you enter the city is the Sky Tower. The viewing deck offers spectacular views of the city and the surrounding area.
Other great sights include One Tree Hill. In this famous park, you have a great view over the city. Other famous parks are Albert Park and Victoria Park, the city's two most famous parks.
#1 Visit the Sky Tower
The Sky Tower cannot be overlooked in Auckland. Wherever you stand or walk, the Sky Tower can be seen. The Tower towers high above all other buildings in Auckland. In fact, at 328 metres, it is the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere. At night, the tower is beautifully lit up.
The tower offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding area. A lift takes you to the observation deck which is located at 186 metres in just 40 seconds. Should you suffer from vertigo, the observation deck has a glass floor.
SkyWalk, Vertico Climb and SkyJump
Since New Zealand is the promised land for adrenaline junkies, it seems like they have activities for it all over the country. Auckland is not left behind either. In fact, at the Sky Tower, you can opt for a SkyWalk, Vertico Climb or SkyJump.
With the SkyWalk, you can walk around the top tip of the tower, outside! With the Vertico Climb, you do it the other way round. There, you start inside the tower and climb 300 metres up and then enjoy the view at around 300 metres high! The SkyJump, of course, says it all.
TIP ♥ - tickets can be booked here.
The view from the SkyTower
#2 Do a wine tour
New Zealand is a well-known and internationally respected wine producer. As is South Africa. So there is plenty of opportunity in Auckland to taste some of the best red and white wines.
Take a trip to some of the North Island's finest vineyards including sightseeing in the surrounding countryside.
On day tours of Auckland's first-class wineries, you'll learn about the whole wine-making process. Fun to see once, and taste ????
TIP ♥ - a well-known organisation is Auckland Wine Trail Tours. Check out their website!
Vineyard at Stony Batter on Waiheke Island near Auckland
#3 Go to Mount Eden
Overlooking all of Auckland, Mount Eden is the highest volcano in the city. This volcanic crater is just a five-minute drive from Auckland city centre. Mount Eden is not only a natural wonder, but also contains historical records of Maori habitation, with authentic gardens and terraces.
Although this mountain was eventually colonised by European settlers, it remains a precious piece of Maori history for all to see.
You can hike there by yourself, or take public transport.
Mount Eden
#4 Climb the Auckland Harbour Bridge
New Zealand is all about exciting activities. One of those activities is climbing the Auckland Harbour Bridge! With about 450 steps, this 1020-metre-long bridge is a great vantage point to see the city's massive harbour.
It takes about 1.5 hours with your own guide. You shouldn't suffer too much from vertigo ????
#5 Drive to the Waitakere Ranges
The Waitakere Ranges are about an hour's drive from the city along the west coast. It is an ideal day trip for those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and unwind in nature.
It is like entering a completely different world. There are over 250 kilometres of hiking trails here so you can easily spend a day wandering around enjoying what New Zealand is known for: nature.
You'll find waterfalls, and extraordinary black sand beaches here
The black sand beaches of Waitakere Ranges
#6 Go to the Auckland War Memorial Museum
Want to know more about the city's history? Then you should head to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The Auckland War Memorial museum is housed in an impressive building you'd expect to find in Greece rather than Auckland.
The unusual building, with seven gigantic columns, stands high on a mountain. You'll find all sorts of unusual objects such as ancient fighter planes, Maori artifacts, a 25-metre-long canoe as well as Asian art.
Despite the name, there is also a lot of other information and objects besides the war-related objects. The fact that the city lies on volcanic soil, for instance, is widely reported.
At the Museum, a traditional dance with singing is performed once a day by the Maori group Manaia.
The museum
#7 Go kayaking
Since the city is flanked by the ocean, it is quite easy to take an excursion to the beach. Because the city's beaches are so accessible and navigable, kayaking is a great way to see Auckland and the surrounding islands.
It is quite pricey, though. A day of kayaking will soon cost you NZ$180 p.p. However, you do get to take beautiful kayaking trips with expert guides. Perfect for beginners or people with a little bit of kayaking experience.
TIP ♥ - you can find a list of all tours and costs at Sea Kayak.
#8 Go to the beach
You're never far from the sea in Auckland. The two coastlines are filled with hundreds of beaches. Ride the waves on the black surf beaches of the rugged west coast or the coastal districts of Mission Bay, St Heliers and Takapuna that are close to the city.
Prefer a more beautiful beach? Can too! Or head north and discover the golden sands and clear waters of Bethels Beach, Tāwharanui and Pakiri.
The brown sands of Bethels Beach
#9 Watch a rugby match
New Zealand is the land of the All Blacks. It is the rugby country and it shows. New Zealanders are obsessed with rugby. Auckland is no exception. And with New Zealand's largest sports stadium, Eden Park, don't miss the chance to attend a game.
Don't worry if you don't understand the rules. New Zealanders are known for their friendliness and are happy to explain it to you.
The stadium can hold 50,000 people and apart from rugby, many cricket matches are also played there. On the website, find more info on when matches are played.
The All Blacks
#10 Take a day trip to Great Barrier Island
Not to be confused with the Great Barrier Reef, as you won't save that in a day. The Great Barrier Island is a beautiful island off the coast of Auckland. You could think of it as a smaller version of New Zealand.
This island is home to forested mountains, pristine bays and sandy beaches, clear blue waters and miles of hiking trails. The island's slogan is not for nothing "A world of its own" and that is exactly what you will find here.
If you have longer time, stay overnight on the island and enjoy not only the silence, but also the breathtaking starry sky.
By ferry, you can reach the island (Tryphena) in 4.5 hours.
TIP ♥- want to know more? Check out our page on the Great Barrier Island.
The beautiful Great Barrier Island
Where's the best place to stay?
Choosing the perfect place to stay in Auckland largely depends on your preferences and travel goals. If you're drawn to vibrant city life, the central business district offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to cozy boutique stays. While you can find hotels in Auckland on tophotels.com, considering the type of location and environment you wish to be in is equally important. The Viaduct Harbor area is ideal for those who love waterfront views and easy access to dining and entertainment. For a more tranquil experience, the suburbs like Parnell or Ponsonby offer a mix of charming accommodations and local cafes. But if you're an ocean lover, beachfront neighborhoods like Mission Bay or Takapuna provide stunning coastal landscapes. If you're looking for a more intimate and personalized stay, opting for a bed and breakfast might be a great option. In areas like North Island, you can find some exquisite North Island bed and breakfast accommodations that will enhance your travel journey with homely comfort and personalized hospitality. Sometimes, motels can be an economical and comfortable choice. Particularly the Sunshine Motel Auckland, which boasts of offering a wonderful stay at a budget-friendly price without compromising on amenities and services. Ultimately, the best place to stay in Auckland depends on your desired activities and the kind of atmosphere you want to immerse yourself in during your visit.
5x tips for visiting Auckland
Auckland is a great city, but might seem a bit overwhelming after a 24-hour trip. Personally, I like to get some information about the destination beforehand so you know what to expect. That's why I like to share some handy tips for visiting Auckland.
#1 Arrange work
New Zealand is one of the most popular countries for backpackers to travel and work. So is 'neighbouring' Australia. However, it can be quite challenging to figure out exactly how that working in New Zealand works.
What papers do you need to have? What requirements do you have to meet? How do you arrange a Working Holiday Visa? Where can you work at all. How do you arrange a SIM card or a New Zealand bank account? All questions you won't have answers to overnight.
It is best to arrange this with your accommodation. Hostels in particular can help you on your way. In fact, there are special hostels where they offer packages with accommodation and job search assistance.
#2 From the airport to the city centre
Once you have landed at Auckland International Airport, there are several ways to get into the city. These are the best options.
Skydrive
SkyDrive is a bus service that takes you from the airport to the city centre. This applies to both domestic and international terminals at Auckland Airport. It costs around NZ$14 (adult) and the bus runs between 5:00 and 22:30. It will take you around 40 minutes.
Taxi/Uber
You can take a taxi. This is usually the fastest option (unless there are traffic jams), but also the most expensive. Expect to pay around NZ$35 to NZ$40. Uber also operates in New Zealand. An Uber is many times cheaper and easier.
Public transport
You can go by train, but there is no direct connection. Bus is therefore easier. Find out more about the options here. It's quite cumbersome. An Uber is easier.
Of course, you can also choose to buy or rent a car or motorhome.
The Skybus
#3 What does a stay in Auckland cost?
New Zealand is not cheap. Two months in New Zealand cost us as much as six months in Southeast Asia. For a hostel you quickly pay €25 and if you eat out, don't be shocked by the bill.
Prices are about the same or slightly lower than in the Netherlands. Therefore, make sure you have enough money to get through the first month.
#4 Best travel time Auckland
You can basically visit Auckland all year round. In winter (June to August) you'll have the coldest days, but you can still visit the city. The summer months, December to February/March, are the best months to visit Auckland. You'll have the most sun and the least rain then.
Keep in mind that it is busy between Christmas and New Year. Not only with tourists, but also with Kiwis flocking to this vibrant city.
#5 Is it safe?
Auckland, and New Zealand in general, is a safe destination. You can travel on the streets or public transport here at night without any problems provided you think logically. Women travelling alone need not worry either.
Apart from being safe, Kiwis are incredibly friendly. Of all the countries I have been to, New Zealanders were the most friendly. Always open for a chat, welcoming, helpful and interested in who you are and what you do.
