Top Auckland Experiences

You can’t beat a day at an Auckland beach

This city has three huge natural harbours and two coastlines; one on the Pacific, the other on the Tasman. So, there’s certainly no shortage of beautiful beaches to enjoy, and while they’re popular, they’re seldom unbearably crowded. he calm waters of the Waitemata are fringed by sandy bays within easy reach of the CBD - try the eastern suburbs (Mission, Kohi, St Heliers) or the North Shore (Takapuna, Cheltenham, Milford). \n If you’re looking for challenging surf we suggest heading to the unspoiled west coast and its wild, rugged, truly magnificent beaches - Piha and Muriwai are two great examples. For a full day’s outing in a gentler coastal setting, try beautiful Long Bay Regional Park.

The lap of luxury

Auckland’s relaxed approach to life doesn’t mean this city lacks luxury. There are ample ways to indulge your finer tastes here, starting with a great selection of superbly appointed hotels. Stay heart of town or on a hideaway island; opt for big-name or boutique: all have one thing in common, and that’s five-star comfort. \n Plus there’s a host of ways to pamper yourself during your visit to the City of Sails: take a private cruise on the breathtaking Hauraki Gulf; chance your arm with a night at the lavish casino; enjoy a personal tour of the region’s vineyards, or charter a yacht and sail among the scenic off-shore islands. Catch a helicopter for a day on the golf course or ride a hot-air balloon over picture-postcard countryside - and that’s just for starters.

Every member of the family

You and your kids will be welcome in Auckland. It’s a genuinely child-friendly city with countless attractions to keep them happy - whether they’re toddlers or teens. A sensible idea is to base your brood at a multi-room apartment or spacious motel unit, where you’ll have the freedom to cook (or not cook) as you choose, space to spread yourselves out, and a home-away-from-home to return to at the end of every day. \n Then get out and see those Auckland sights: Kelly Tarlton’s, the outstanding Auckland Zoo, the harbour ferries, the thrills of Rainbow’s End, and the National Maritime Museum. Brave family members can try a sky-jump - and when exhaustion sets in, there are hot pools to soak in at nearby Waiwera or Parakai. Plus, of course, all around the city and its suburbs, you’ll find great-value, family-friendly restaurants.

Hitting the shops

Ask any Aucklander where to go shopping and the answer will probably be Newmarket. It’s a retail haven, close to the central city, easy to explore on foot, but big enough to contain a colossal range of stores. In the CBD, big-name designers are clustered around an area bordered by Vulcan Lane, High Street and the Chancery. \n For somewhere funkier, try Ponsonby Road - remember to wear your walking shoes to this long stretch of cafés and stylish boutiques. For souvenirs, try the Auckland Museum or the specialist shops of the CBD; there is some gorgeous, modern, Maori carving and jewellery on offer. \n If you’re in Auckland on a Friday or Saturday, don’t miss the Aotea Markets - they’re right in the heart of town at Aotea Square. And, of course, duty-free shopping is world-class.

Taking an Auckland break?

The problem here is not what to do - it’s deciding which things to do, and which you simply won’t have time for. That’s why we suggest planning your break in advance; booking your sightseeing trips where possible, and blocking off time for visits to your particular pick of the attractions. \n Depending on your taste, you can go sailing, shopping, wine-tasting, mountain-biking, island-hopping, horse-riding, sky-jumping, sky-diving, cruising, surfing, big-game fishing and a whole lot more, without leaving Auckland’s regional boundaries. Plus, this is a big city in a small country, so think about adding a rental car to the mix; you’ll be surprised how easy it is to reach places like Rotorua and the Bay of Islands.