Auckland Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Sky Tower which includes a high-rise building, a city and city views

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(4,890 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 Sky Tower and Auckland Ferry Terminal, 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
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
Auckland featuring central business district, street scenes and night scenes

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
Auckland Domain which includes a garden

Parnell

4.5/5(369 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Parnell for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Parnell Rose Gardens and Auckland War Memorial Museum. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at The Strand Station.

Parnell
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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 Villa Maria Auckland Winery or Otuataua Stonefields.

Mangere
Naumi Auckland Airport
Naumi Auckland Airport
4.5 out of 5
153 Kirkbride Road, Auckland, Auckland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$159 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$159
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Beautiful, modern rooms and amenities."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Naumi 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 AU$179 per night from 23 Apr to 24 Apr
AU$179
per night
23 Apr - 24 Apr
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. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,019 reviews)
"Great place to stay. The beds were very comfortable."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
Grand Millennium Auckland
Grand Millennium Auckland
4.5 out of 5
71 Mayoral Drive, Auckland
The price is AU$183 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
AU$183
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star eco-certified hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,024 reviews)
"The views from my room 1113 were not very attractive, however everything else was great! Rick was the best ever!"

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Grand Millennium 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.
VR Auckland City
VR Auckland City
4 out of 5
188 Hobson Street, Auckland
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.4/10 Good! (3,226 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

VR Auckland City
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, onsite parking, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,088 reviews)
"Overall good"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

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, onsite parking, and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,370 reviews)
"Having Taxi drivers out front hasseling you each time you went outside and not moving for drop offs taking up all the loading zone."

Reviewed on 18 Mar. 2024

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

Activities

Reviews of Auckland

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1495
" "5 - Excellent 27.772617499535574%
4 - Good
2796
" "4 - Good 51.9412966747167%
3 - Okay
941
" "3 - Okay 17.480958573286273%
2 - Disappointing
109
" "2 - Disappointing 2.0248931822403864%
1 - Terrible
42
" "1 - Terrible 0.7802340702210663%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
3 Jun 2020

Queen street was closed for roadworks while we were there

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
1 Jun 2020

there are too many road works, unfinished buildings to make the general environment pleasant to be in

4/5 - Good

Bruce
1 Jun 2020

The road works and parking currently in Auckland are terrible. Roadworks in particular are poorly managed and sineage for redirection of traffic is almost non existant.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
31 May 2020

Nice place to stay but room smelt like piss he whole time being there!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
29 May 2020

Too busy.... on the road.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
28 May 2020

Bus drivers are crazy!

Cities near Auckland