Auckland

Auckland Sky Tower Admission

Standing at 328 meters (just over 1000 feet) - the Sky Tower is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand and offers panoramic views of the Auckland landscape. Travel in the glass-fronted lift to one of three spectacular viewing platforms, or for a little more excitement do a SkyWalk - an outside loop around the pergola 192 meters (just over 600 feet) above ground. If you're really bold, Take the quick way down and SkyJump off the tower - a controlled free fall to the base.
Inside, the Sky Lounge offers coffee and light meals while the iconic Orbit Restaurant is Auckland's only 360-degree revolving dining experience.

Coast and Rainforest Full Day Tour with Bush and Beach - Lunch Included

Enjoy this full-day excursion to the Arataki Visitor Centre, the Waitakere Ranges and panoramic views extending from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean as you absorb the area's history and admire the magnificent traditional Māori carvings. Walk the regenerating rainforest where your experienced guide will detail local flora and fauna. This tour takes you on a short trip out of Auckland City and gives you a chance to experience nature while visiting New Zealand's biggest city. 

Wilderness Experience Half Day Tour with Bush and Beach

Just 30 kilometres from central Auckland lies the city's largest regional park - the Waitakere Ranges. Leave behind the hustle and bustle of suburbia and step into the tranquillity of its deserted beaches, lush rainforest and New Zealand native bush. Visit the Arataki Centre for breathtaking panoramic views stretching from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean and learn about traditional Māori carvings. Walk along secluded bush tracks among giant ferns and kauri trees as your guide tells you about how unique New Zealand's nature truly is. Before you leave, be sure to visit the black volcanic sand beaches this area is famous for.

America's Cup Sailing Experience with Explore

Participate as crew on an authentic America's Cup yacht. Take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or sit back and enjoy the action and scenery as you sail the beautiful Waitemata Harbour. Experience the excitement of sailing, no experience necessary. Feel the thrill of the wind in your face as you tack and jibe. These powerful and highly engineered race vessels are usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties. Still, this unique two-hour sailing experience allows everyone to sail these Grand Prix racing machines. America's Cup is the world's oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Experience it firsthand, sailing these remarkable vessels on the harbour that hosted the America's Cup in 2000 and 2003.

Auckland Wine Country Half Day Tour with Bush and Beach - Lunch Included

Head north-west to Kumeu Wine Country, Auckland's Heritage Wine Region. Enjoy lunch at a contemporary and traditional vineyard, sample world-renowned wines and marvel at the rugged surf-fringed coastline nearby. Later, visit Muriwai Beach, home to a Gannet Colony and situated on the cliffs overlooking the Tasman sea you'll have breathtaking views of the beach and ocean beyond. Finish up at a wine tasting at one of New Zealand's oldest. These wines reflect true varietal character and their unique regional origins.

Harbour Sailing Cruise with Explore

Enjoy the City of Sails from the water on a relaxed harbour sailing yacht. This cruise offers a uniquely local experience experiencing the harbour under sail with a small vessel with an intimate and engaging atmosphere. View the stunning city sights while sailing on the inner Waitemata Harbour. Sail where the wind takes us while enjoying Auckland's city highlights; including sailing under the Harbour Bridge and other well-known landmarks along the harbour's edge. The crew's local knowledge will give you the best harbour sailing experience Auckland has to offer. Become the crew and help participate with the sailing experience take the helm while you carve through the water, or if you prefer just sit back and relax above deck.

Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari

Leave the hustle and bustle of the city and discover the beautiful Hauraki Gulf Marine Park - visited by a staggering one third of all the types of marine mammals found on earth. Departing directly from the Viaduct Harbour, be welcomed aboard the 20 metre, purpose-built vessel Dolphin Explorer for an unforgettable marine mammal eco-safari out on the sparkling waters of the Hauraki Gulf. Be surrounded by some of the most abundant marine life in New Zealand, and discover what the beautiful Auckland area has to offer.

All Blacks Experience

See what it takes to make, shape and be an All Black. Experience first-hand the excitement and emotion of game day. Discover the stories behind some of world rugby’s most famous players, moments, and matches.
This guided experience introduces you to the game of rugby including state-of-the-art displays combining sound, images, interactive technology, and hands-on activities. Discover New Zealand’s deep passion for our national sport, experience the full force of the All Blacks haka, and tackle interactive zones where you can try out your kicking, catching, line-out, and accuracy skills against legendary All Blacks.

Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb with AJ Hackett

This spectacular AJ Hackett walking tour is the only bridge climb in New Zealand and the ultimate way to experience the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge. All walkways are custom engineered and gentle sloping archways mean this activity is suitable for all ages. As you're guided to the top you'll be greeted with a 360 degree, panoramic view of the sparkling Waitemata harbour. See the best of the city from above and learn all about the secrets of the bridge!

Return Ferry to Tiritiri Matangi Island and Guided Walk

Situated in the middle of the Hauraki Gulf only a 75 minute ferry trip from Auckland is Tiritiri Matangi Island. One of the world’s most successful volunteer conservation projects, it has been re-vegetated with over 300,000 native trees as well as several different species of endangered birds and reptiles. Tiritiri Matangi meaning ‘tossed by wind’ is an open scientific reserve managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) in partnership with the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi.
This ‘open sanctuary’ status allows for 150 ferry visitors daily - from Wednesday to Sunday. Here you have the opportunity to see first hand some of New Zealand’s rarest inhabitants in a natural and protected environment. There are numerous walking tracks throughout the island which vary in length and fitness. Forested walking tracks are well established with custom-built boardwalks paving the way through coastal bush. Other tracks include a pathway skirting the perimeter of the island and several roads traversing the interior. The Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi are enthusiastic about sharing the wealth of knowledge they have accumulated. You'll join a 1.5 hour guided experience and learn about the endangered bird life, natural surrounds, revegetation and history of Tiritiri Matangi. Your guide will highlight the best spots to see wildlife on the island, and will help you to identify the bird calls and sounds which echo through the trees. You’ll also be taken up to the visitor centre to view its informative exhibits. Your lunchtime and afternoon will then be free for you to wander the island.

Waiheke Island Luxury Private Tour with Auckland & Beyond Tours - Lunch Included

Explore the famous Waiheke Island, known for its rolling vineyards, sandy beaches, rocky bays, and glorious wineries. Meet your guide in Auckland as you board the ferry to head out to the island, cruising along the Hauraki Gulf to reach the Mataitia Bay terminal. On the Island, your guide will tour you around in a luxury vehicle, as you indulge in wine tasting and a vineyard tour from three premium wineries, before enjoying a picnic lunch at one of the gorgeous white sandy beaches. After lunch you will get to explore an award-winning Olive Oil estate, here you will get the chance to view the trees and the process of how the Oil is harvested and made. After your tour, you will board the ferry and head back to Auckland. 

Muriwai Golf Club - suggested activity

Muriwai Golf Club is a links course situated in a protected bird sanctuary and famous for its Gannet colony.  There are no encroaching buildings, no traffic sounds or large crowds.  The only sound you'll hear are the calls of native birds and the surf breaking on the beach.

The course is of naturally rolling fairways and breathtaking views of sea and forests from every hole.  To play at Muriwai is to play as the game was meant to be played.

To book, please organise with the golf resort directly here.

Alberton Historic Auckland House

Alberton was a ‘party house’ for the colonial elite.  This romantic timber mansion began as a farmhouse in 1863 and was later expanded to 18 rooms, with fairy-tale decorative verandahs and towers. It was owned by the Kerr Taylors, Allan Kerr Taylor was a landowner, investor and provincial and local body politician. His wife Sophia was an outspoken advocate of the vote for women, as well as a singer, gardener and mother of 10. Alberton was famous in the 19th century for its balls, hunts, garden parties and music. It contains a wealth of original family furniture and other possessions, and several rooms retain their 19th century wallpapers.

Auckland City Discovery Half-Day Tour with Auckland & Beyond Tours

Explore the largest city in New Zealand on this half-day Auckland City Discovery Tour with Auckland & Beyond. Immerse yourself in the multicultural hub of rich history, volcanic summits, coastal city skyline, and scenic views that comprise Auckland, the City of Sails.

Auckland War Memorial Museum

Auckland Museum is regarded as one of the finest museums in the Southern Hemisphere and is renowned for its unique collection of Maori and Pacific treasures. It is also a war memorial for the Auckland province.

Housed in one of the country’s finest heritage buildings, the Museum tells the story of New Zealand as a nation; from award-winning natural history exhibits to galleries which investigate New Zealands cultural origins.

Scars on the Heart, the Museum’s war memorial exhibition, tells the story of New Zealand at war, while He Taonga Maori - the Museums Maori treasures gallery, displays over 2000 priceless Maori artefacts, including rare carvings and the last great Maori war canoe carved from a giant Totara tree.

Auckland Museum is the only venue in Auckland where visitors can experience a Maori cultural performance daily.

Open daily from 10am to 5pm.  For current entry prices visit the Auckland Museum website.

Bay of Islands Full-Day Tour with Auckland & Beyond Tours

On the east coast of the Far North District of the North Island of New Zealand lies the magnificent Bay of Islands. This area was one of the first settled by early Māori voyagers arriving in New Zealand and has the second bluest sky in the world. This full-day Bay of Islands Tour with Auckland and Beyond takes you across land and sea to witness some of the best that the Bay of Islands region has to offer, maybe even a dolphin sighting.

Coromandel Day Tour with Auckland & Beyond Tours

Known largely for its Hardrock gold mining and Kauri industries, the Coromandel Peninsula is now a mecca for tourism, most notably, ecotourism. This full-day Coromandel Peninsula Tour with Auckland and Beyond shows you the region’s best, from native Kauri forest to white sand beaches.

High Street and Vulcan Lane

The area in and around High Street in Auckland City has a great deal of character. Running parallel to Queen Street, the two couldn't be any more dissimilar. While Queen Street has chain stores and fast-food outlets, High Street has one-off designer clothes stores, possibly the best bookshop in Auckland (Unity Books), and fine cafes and restaurants.

With its distinctive bier-houses in classic old-style structures, Vulcan Lane adds yet another dimension and is always busy, regardless of the time or day of the week. The Chancery is a fairly recent addition bringing yet more designer shops and cafes to the area.

Things to do:

• Enjoy lunch or brunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants.
• Browse the designer fashion stores.
• Relax with a beer or wine at one of the bars.

Hunua Falls

Hunua Falls is a popular destination for bush walkers in the Hunua Ranges National Park on Aucklands East Coast. At 30 meters high and they spill out over volcanic rock. While still impressive when just a trickle, the falls are really spectacular when full-spate.

Karekare

The earliest occupants of the Karekare valley were the Ngaoho people who lived here in the 13th century for about 300 years. The years following saw the Te Kawerau a Maki tribe inhabit in the area, but in 1825 they were attacked by the musket wielding Ngapuhi tribe who consequently slaughtered all but one of the occupants. For a while the area became known as Mauaharanui – ‘the place of great wrongdoing’. Today's name, Karekare means 'surf' or 'rippling waters' and is a far more apt description of this quiet village.

1845 saw the arrival of the first Europeans to the area and inevitably logging and farming soon started to make its mark on the dramatic landscape. The early 1900's saw the first tourists arriving at Karekare with many staying at Winchelsea House. This luxurious accommodation home had electricity 10 years before Auckland City officially became connected and was just what the travellers needed after a day long horse and cart ride along rough winding tracks.

Today Karekare is a popular spot for summer visitors and its surf and bush walks attract many Aucklander’s for the day. The dramatic backdrop of cliffs, waterfalls, black sand beaches and thick native bush was immortalised when the movie "The Piano" was filmed there.

Things to do:

• Explore the many bush tracks and walks, particularly the Karekare falls.
• Walk the windswept black sand beaches.
• Surf the famous west coast breaks.

Muriwai Beach

Muriwai Beach is located about 40km north west of Auckland City. The black sand found on the west coast beaches is a result of the volcanic activity that formed the region.
The Muriwai coastline stretches approximately 60km from Maori Bay in the South to the Kaipara Harbour in the north inviting a wide range of activities. People enjoying surfing, horse riding, 4 wheel driving, land yachting, picnics, swimming and parapenting are common sights along the beach.
One of the finest attractions though, has to be the Takapu Refuge, one of the few mainland breeding colonies of the Australasian Gannet. These birds are spectacular to see as they feed and tend to their young during the breeding season. On Oaia Island about 1.6km off shore, Fur Seals can often be spotted sun bathing on the rocks. Muriwai also boasts a true and challenging links golf course playable all year round.

Things to do:

• Explore the Gannet Colony.
• Visit Maori Bay.
• Take a 4WD along the beach.
• Sand yachting.
• Beach casting.
• Surf the famous west coast.

Sea Kayak Tour to Rangitoto Island

Sea Kayak to Rangitoto Island, the most distinctive landmark in Auckland. After your safety briefing and paddling instruction you will kayak across the Waitemata harbour, meaning 'sparkling waters', where you may see wildlife such as Little Blue Penguins and Cooks Petrels. On arrival at Rangitoto Island, which is the largest and youngest of Auckland's volcanoes, you will start enjoy a leisurely 1hr walk to the summit. Walking up the pohutukawa-cloaked island gives you the chance to explore the baked scoria rocks which support over 200 different native trees and flowering plants. Upon reaching the top of Rangitoto you will be treated to the finest 360 degree views that the Auckland region has to offer. Upon returning to the water's edge, a healthy hearty kiwi lunch will be awaiting you, with cold and hot drinks to match. If time permits, you might even enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea! As you kayak back to the city, perhaps with the help of a sail, you will experience magnificent views of the City of Sails.

It is important you read and understand any risks associated with this activity. More information can be found here

Takapu Refuge (Gannet Colony)

Otakamiro Point, the headland between Maori Bay and Muriwai Beach is home to New Zealand's northernmost gannet colony: the Takapu Refuge. Here you can see these remarkable birds soaring overhead with wingspans of up to 2 metres.

Feeding is a unique and extraordinary sight as the birds dive into the sea from 30 metres above reaching speeds of up to 145 kph! Between July and October many gannets re-establish contact with their life long mates. Just one egg is laid which is incubated by both birds who take shifts. December is the time to see the chicks but the birds can be seen here all year round.

Tawharanui Marine Reserve

The abundance of fish and edible plants in Tawharanui has provided food to its occupants for the last 1000 years. When Europeans purchased the land in 1873 the timber was milled and the land farmed as well as some parts of it quarried. The parks boundaries were extended in 1981 to create New Zealand's first Marine Protected Area. This prohibits the taking of any marine life from the region and provides a unique environment for snorkelers and divers to experience the many and varied forms of wildlife in this environment. The New Zealand dotterel nests in the sand dunes here and there are many other birds such as the coastal reef heron and spotless crake that also make this place home.

The Northern Explorer Scenic Train: Auckland to Wellington Scenic Plus

Great Journeys New Zealand's Scenic Plus carriage provides comfort and vast panoramic views as you journey through the heart of the North Island, travelling between Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, to Wellington, New Zealand's arts and culture capital. Along the way, you pass the Central North Island ski towns of National Park and Ohakune. You also see fantastic views of New Zealand farmland, the volcanic plateau, Mount Ruapehu, the world-famous Raurimu Spiral, and stunning river gorges - all from panoramic windows or open-air viewing decks. Scenic Plus offers an all-inclusive experience and the dedicated Scenic Plus carriage features large panoramic windows giving sweeping views of the magnificent North Island. The Observation Carriage includes a mix of seating including lounge-style seating. The lounge-style seating is arranged at the very rear of this glass-backed carriage enabling you to enjoy a totally unique Northern Explorer experience.

Viaduct Harbour

Auckland's Viaduct Harbour was developed in 1999 following the successful New Zealand campaign to host the America's Cup. There are a variety of restaurants and bars to dine on the waterfront - ranging from street food to gourmet cuisine. The name 'City of Sails' quickly becomes evident as you stroll the boardwalk and many different yachts and small seacraft can be spotted. If you're keen to test your sea legs, you can choose to sail on an authentic America's Cup yacht. Also located here is the Maritime Museum and a unique Hilton Hotel - built to the shape of a cruise ship.

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves Tour with Auckland & Beyond Tours

Offering one of the best glow worm experiences in all of New Zealand, the Waitomo Caves are the highlight of this Half Day Waitomo Glow Worm Caves Tour with Auckland and Beyond. Home to thousands of these luminescent creatures, the Waitomo Caves are sure to be a memorable experience.

Walking tracks in and around Auckland City - Suggested Activity

Auckland city is surrounded by a number of regional parks and natural areas that are easily explored on foot.  Information on the many walking tracks within the regional parks can be found on the Auckland Regional Council website. Two of the more popular walking destinations are the Waitakere Ranges and Rangitoto Island.  The Waitakere Ranges Visitor Centre (Arataki Visitor Centre) is located a short 30-minute drive from Auckland CBD and is the best place to start your exploration of this large tract of native forest.  Here you’ll also find information on the many native birds you will see and hear.  To reach Rangitoto Island you catch a ferry from the Auckland Ferry Terminal and information on the walks on the island can be found on the Department of Conservation website. A brief description of the more popular Auckland walks is outlined below.

Rangitoto Island Summit Track

Time: 1 hr one way from Rangitoto Wharf

The shortest and most popular route to the summit begins at Rangitoto Wharf and climbs through lava fields and forest to the peak at 259 metres above sea level. The summit gives panoramic views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. At the summit another track circles the rim of the crater.

Arataki Nature Trail

Distance 1.6km

A beautiful introduction to the flora and fauna of the Waitakere Ranges and a great addition to any visit to the Arataki Visitor Centre. The track is really a network of three gravelled loop walks. The Identification Loop is short and level, while the upper and lower loops contain graded descents and ascents. Making your way to the kauri knoll at the end of the lower track is recommended as a great example of remnant Kauri forest.

Muriwai Takapu Refuge Walk

Distance 0.8km, Time 45 minutes

From the carpark at Maukatia/Maori Bay, the Takapu Refuge walk skirts around headland then descends to the end of Muriwai Beach Access Road. Two short branch tracks lead to lookouts over the gannet colony.

Auckland City Walk

Distance 1.5km; Time 1 hour

This walk is a favourite for Auckland families. It provides a good introduction to the area and is one of the most beautiful walking loops in the Waitakere Ranges. Marvel at the huge kauri, one with a girth of 6.5m, and the large totara which were once used to make magnificent waka (canoes). A short side track leads up to Cascade Falls, set amongst towering rocky bluffs. Information signs along the way explain interesting features of this forest.