Auckland Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Sky Tower showing a city, cbd and skyline
Devonport featuring skyline, a river or creek and a city
Devonport which includes a garden and flowers
Auckland featuring a city, modern architecture and a high-rise building
Auckland which includes a city and a bay or harbour

Auckland Travel Guide Video

Nature experiences abound in this city surrounded by harbors and rain forest. Go island hopping, dine out on the water or peer into the crater of a volcano.

Auckland is as much a gateway to a natural playground as it is an urban paradise, with museums, shopping and fine dining. The biggest city on New Zealand’s North Island has coast on one side and mountains on the other. Manukau Harbour is to the southwest, the Hauraki Gulf and its islands to the east, and the rain forest-covered Waitakere Ranges to the west. Take the glass elevator at the Sky Tower in downtown Auckland for a spectacular view of the cityscape, mountains and harbour from a height of 722 feet (220 metres).

Auckland is built on and around several extinct volcanoes. The suburb of Mount Eden is built on the side of a cinder-cone volcano. Climb to the top to look into the 164-foot (50-metre) deep crater. The gardens in Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park, flourish in the volcanic soil and natural springs of the Pukekawa volcano. Learn about Auckland’s natural history, the culture of the Maori people, and local art and crafts in the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which is located on the highest point of the Domain.

Navigating Auckland is easy, with buses, trains and ferries servicing the downtown area. You can take the hop-on, hop-off Explorer Bus for commentary and sightseeing. Rent a car to venture out of the city.

There are 138 species of wildlife housed in the award-winning habitats of the Auckland Zoo. Catch a glimpse of the iconic kiwi and get up-close to rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs and primates.

Sailing boats and super yachts moor in Viaduct Harbour, home to the maritime museum and more than 30 bars and restaurants that line the water. Ferries leave from here for the islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Waiheke Island, a 40-minute ferry trip away, is a great place to hike, sample gourmet food and see stunning beaches.

Head to the hills behind Auckland to hike and camp in the wilderness. Many miles of trails wind through the rain forest and along the coast in the Waitakere Ranges. For serious “trampers,” as hikers are known in New Zealand, there’s the challenging 46-mile (75-kilometre) Hillary Trail, which includes three nights camping and four days tramping. Many visitors go for a day trip through the ranges by rental car or tour bus.

Where to stay in Auckland

Auckland CBD featuring street scenes and cbd

Auckland Central Business District

4/5(215 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 Queen Street Shopping District, 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
Default Image

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
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
Default Image

Albany

Unique features of Albany include the shopping and spas. Make a stop by North Harbour Stadium or Westfield Albany Shopping Centre while you're exploring the area.

Albany
Default Image

Takapuna

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Takapuna. A stop by Bruce Mason Centre or Takapuna Beach might round out your trip.

Takapuna
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 ฿3,426 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
฿3,426
฿3,939 total
16 Jul - 17 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star spa hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,328 reviews)
"everything was great. only thing lacking was there was not toothbrush/paste."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
Novotel Auckland Airport
Novotel Auckland Airport
4.5 out of 5
35 Tom Pearce Dr, Auckland International Airport, Auckland
The price is ฿4,992 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
฿4,992
฿5,741 total
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,829 reviews)
"It’s an airport hotel. Priced too high but convenient in the extreme."

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2025

Novotel Auckland Airport
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland
3 out of 5
80 Wellesley Street West, Auckland, Auckland
The price is ฿2,352 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
฿2,352
฿2,705 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Sky Tower and SkyCity Casino are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (499 reviews)
"AMAZING EXPERIENCE"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 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.
Ramada Suites By Wyndham Victoria Street West
Ramada Suites By Wyndham Victoria Street West
4 out of 5
147 Victoria Street West & Graham Street, Auckland
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (508 reviews)
"Good stay, staff very helpful"

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Ramada Suites By Wyndham Victoria Street West
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 Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,376 reviews)
"Carpets worn-out"

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

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 Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,468 reviews)
"Great location, enjoyed sitting in front of the window watching people walking by. Only disappointment was the didn't have decaf coffee, apart from that great stay."

Reviewed on 9 Jun 2025

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

Things to do

Reviews of Auckland

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
63
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
106
4 - Good 55%
3 - Okay
19
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Built on 7dormant volcanoes very steep inclines wish I had been fitter

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Hilly

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Spent 5 days here but 3 would have been enough.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Only visited the skytower. Please delete the two entries arked terrible, iclicked by mistake and couldnt amend

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A lot of road works and building renovations happening at the moment

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Good free walking tour

Cities near Auckland