Manukau Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Rainbow\'s End which includes a pool, a water park and rides
Rainbow\'s End featuring rides
Rainbow\'s End which includes rides
Rainbow\'s End showing rides as well as a large group of people
Rainbow\'s End showing rides as well as a couple

Find colourful markets, stunning gardens and New Zealand’s biggest theme park when you visit Auckland’s most multi-cultural district.

Come to Manukau to get a taste of Polynesian culture at the bustling markets and lively festivals. Smell the fragrance of thousands of flowers at Auckland’s botanical gardens and walk the paths around the expansive Manukau Harbour. Take a thrilling ride on the roller coasters and dodgem cars at Rainbow’s End theme park. Finish your day with a meal in one of the area’s superb restaurants serving cuisine from around the world.

Sometimes referred to as South Auckland, Manukau is actually a city in its own right. This city has the largest population of Polynesians anywhere in the world and is also New Zealand’s most ethnically diverse city. Discover the colorful Polynesian culture when you visit Otara Market. Buy some native Polynesian vegetables or try local specialties cooked with a hāngi, or earth oven. Browse stalls selling arts and crafts or stop to listen to a local band playing live music.

Children won’t want to miss Rainbow’s End, New Zealand’s largest theme park. Come here for a fun-packed day riding the roller coasters, Go Karts and more. The park also features the high-tech 3D Motion Master, an interactive cinema experience.

Make sure you visit the Botanical Gardens, where over 10,000 species of native and introduced plants are beautifully arranged. Explore the area’s surroundings and walk along the paths that wind around the large harbor. Enjoy stunning views across the water and see the Awhitu Peninsula in the distance.

Being the most ethnically diverse area of Auckland, Manukau has some superb food on offer. Take your pick from a number of Asian or Polynesian restaurants and enjoy a meal, often for great value.

Manukau is located 15 miles (23 kilometers) south of central Auckland. There is a local bus service but it is most convenient to explore the area by car. Accommodation here can be cheaper than in the city center and the area is a good base for exploring the region south of the city.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Manukau Hotel Deals

The Sebel Auckland Manukau

The Sebel Auckland Manukau

4.5 out of 5
16 Lakewood Court, Manukau, Auckland
The price is AU$154 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
AU$154
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (475 reviews)
"Convenient location"

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

The Sebel Auckland Manukau
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 AU$178 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$178
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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! (1,361 reviews)
"Good hotel. Not really international 5 star equivalent. Was advised housekeeping could still be done at 5pm when the hotel is busy - not ideal if you want to relax and enjoy your room in the later afternoon before dinner. We had to ring both days to get our room serviced despite having the service ..."

Reviewed on 3 Aug. 2025

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
The Grand by SkyCity

The Grand by SkyCity

5 out of 5
90 Federal Street, Auckland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$194 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$194
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 11 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,741 reviews)
"Best comfy bed and bedding"

Reviewed on 4 Aug. 2025

The Grand by SkyCity
Novotel Auckland Airport

Novotel Auckland Airport

4.5 out of 5
35 Tom Pearce Dr, Auckland International Airport, Auckland
The price is AU$278 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$278
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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! (1,933 reviews)
"Love love staying here"

Reviewed on 6 Aug. 2025

Novotel Auckland Airport
SkyCity Hotel

SkyCity Hotel

4.5 out of 5
Corner Victoria and Federal Streets, Auckland
The price is AU$172 per night from 21 Aug to 22 Aug
AU$172
21 Aug - 22 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, 11 restaurants, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,764 reviews)
"Area was walkable to a lot of shops and dining. Rooms were clean and well kept. My kids wished we stayed a few more nights here. Two complaints. Elevators and parking. They only had one set of elevators working unless you had VIP access. There were a few times with a large group of people and luggage ..."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

SkyCity Hotel
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland

Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland

3 out of 5
80 Wellesley Street West, Auckland, Auckland
The price is AU$121 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$121
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions SkyCity Casino and Sky Tower are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (530 reviews)
"Great place to stay and bed and pillows are great"

Reviewed on 3 Aug. 2025

Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
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.

Other neighbourhoods around Manukau

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Papatoetoe

You'll enjoy the gardens and live music in Papatoetoe. You might want to make time for a stop at Papatoetoe Old Railway Station Building or Hunters Plaza.

Papatoetoe
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Mangere

Mangere is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Formula E Indoor Raceway or Villa Maria Auckland Winery.

Mangere
Butterfly Creek showing 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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Mount Wellington

Shopping, restaurants and lake views are just a few things travellers enjoy about Mount Wellington. Check out Sylvia Park Shopping Center or Flat Rock Reserve while you're exploring the area.

Mount Wellington
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Ellerslie

Restaurants, shopping and spas highlight some of the notable features of Ellerslie. Make a stop by Ellerslie Racecourse while you're exploring.

Ellerslie
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Epsom

Unique features of Epsom include the theatres and spas. Make a stop by Alexandra Park or ASB Showgrounds while you're exploring the area.

Epsom


Manukau Travel Guide

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