For international travelers, Auckland, the largest city on North Island is the main entry and exit point to New Zealand. Traveling from Manila, Auckland was our first and last stop during our family trip / backpacking tour in 2016. This diverse and multicultural city is home to the largest Polynesian population in the world. It’s just one of the amazing places in the sovereign island country of New Zealand located in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean, which I consider one of the best places I have ever visited in the world
For nature lovers, NZ’s varied topography made of sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern Alps and volcanic terrain is just mind-blowing. Because of its remoteness, New Zealand was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During the long period of isolation, New Zealand developed a distinct biodiversity of animal, fungal, and plant life. The country is geographically composed of two main landmasses – North Island and South Island as well as around 600 smaller islands.
From Auckland, you can travel by land or air to other amazing destinations like Matamata (home of the world-famous Hobbiton movie set), Rotorua (renowned for its geothermal activity, Maori culture and bike trails), capital city Wellington as well as Christchurch and Queenstown (the adventure capital of the world) on the South Island.
For those planning a trip there looking for interesting things to do, here’s a rough guide to Auckland to help you plan the first stop in your itinerary. Take note that Auckland is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world, but there are some tourist spots you can visit where entrance is free or for minimal fees. We got a good taste of what the place has to offer and transport around thanks to family friends based there.
Table of Contents
Get a taste of Middle-Earth Magic at Hobbiton
Most tourists associate New Zealand with The Lord of the Rings, and the best place to experience Middle-Earth magic is the Hobbiton Movie Set. Though not geographically located in Auckland, this sprawling farm complete with hobbit holes, gardens, bridge, mill and souvenir shops is accessible on a day tour from the city, about 2 hours drive away.
If you have limited time in Auckland and aren’t planning to head to the South, this is THE BEST tour you can book from the city. It’s a magical experience just walking through the lush countryside, seeing the beautifully detailed hobbit holes and props and getting to drink ale and cider at the The Green Dragon Inn based on the popular inn frequented by Hobbits.
- Cost: $79 for adults, Adults: NZD $79, Youth (9-16 years): NZD $39.50, Children (0-8 years): FREE*
- How to get there: You can only get into Hobbiton through guided tours. There is no DIY option. Book a Hobbiton Express Day Tour with Lunch from Auckland HERE inclusive of transportation, admission and tour to the Hobbiton movie set, English speaking guide, Ale, cider or ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn and Hotel pick up and drop off.
- Alternatively, you can combine your visit with a trip to Waitomo Caves (known for its extensive underground cave systems inhabited by glow-worms) with the Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves Tour
Take the Auckland City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
If you’re limiting your sightseeing to just Auckland, there’s already a lot to see. Since we were traveling with my parents, we opted to take the Auckland Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour to maximize our time for sightseeing during our first full day there. This will allow you to conveniently visit all the main tourist attractions in and around the city, at your own time and enjoy the informative commentary and service along the way.
The double-decker buses leave every 30 minutes and you can book 24-hour to 48-hour passes to maximize your time. There’s a lot you can explore at each stop, so you can just choose what you’re interested in. You can also enjoy free WiFi on board.
- Cost: 24 hour pass: $45 for adults, $20 for children. $100 for families
48 hour pass: $55 for adults, $20 for children, $140 for families; Combo packages available - Hours of operation: RED LINE (starts and finishes at main Viaduct Harbour/Princes Wharf): First bus departs 9:00 am, last bus returns 5:00 pm. BLUE LINE (starts and finishes at the Auckland Museum): First bus departs 9.30am, last bus returns 4:30pm
- BOOK Discounted Hop-On Hop Off Explorer Bus Tours HERE
- Website: www.explorerbus.co.nz/routes
ROUTE INFO:
- Viaduct Harbour / Princess
- Bastion Point
- Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium
- Parnell’s Rose Gardens
- Holy Trinity Cathedral
- (RED / BLUE LINE) Auckland Museum
- Parnell Village
- Queen Street / Civic Corner (stop has been removed as of 2018)
- SkyCity / Sky Tower
- (RED / BLUE LINE) Auckland Museum
- Wintergardens
- Eden Garden
- Mt. Eden / Maungawhau
- Eden Park
- Westfield St. Lukes
- Auckland Zoo
- Museum of Transport and Technology
- Devonport
Try one of the most Incredible Ice Creams in the World – Giapo
One of the best parts of traveling is trying the unique food a place has to offer. I could write a whole separate article on the amazing food and craft beer we tried all around New Zealand. But if you have a short time in Auckland, food-tripping should definitely be at the top of your list – especially the ice cream!
Because of the premium quality of dairy products in New Zealand, dessert-lovers are in for a treat. Pavlova is the national dessert and Kiwis are passionate about phenomenal ice cream. Hokey pokey (a creamy vanilla ice cream with pieces of honeycomb) is the country’s favourite flavor. If you’re an ice cream lover, one gem you should definitely look out for is Giapo, an artisan parlor featuring handmade imaginative ice cream, gelato and sorbet.
Gianpaolo Grazioli (Giapo) and his wife Annarosa Petrucci aim to make the best ice cream in the world, offering a multi-sensory experience that challenges the way people think about ice-cream, not just as food, but as a work of art. Their clever creations combine artistic sculptural handcrafted toppings and luxurious cones, with both sweet and savory flavors, hot and cold.
From unusual flavors done with local ingredients like Keri Keri Avocado to the Hawkes bay tamarillo and pineapple, the ice creams are just crazy, fun. There are cones topped with donuts, ice cream that looks like Auckland’s SkyTower and an iconic concoction resembling the Antarctic colossal squid in an exhibition at the Te Papa museum in Wellington. If there is one place you gotta go in New Zealand it’s Giapo’s ice creams. Aside from being delicious, it’s an experience that you can’t have anywhere else in the world. You almost won’t want to eat them because they look too beautiful.
Hike Up Mount Eden
One of my favorite stops during our visit to Auckland was Mount Eden, which offers stunning views over the city and harbor. Mount Eden’s summit rises 196 meters or 643 feet above sea level. On a clear day, you can see many of Auckland’s popular attractions from the top including the Sky Tower, the Auckland Harbor Bridge, the Waitakere Ranges and out to Rangitoto Island.
There’s no vehicle access to the top, and getting up involves a steep climb for about 2 kilometers, so this is best for visitors with a moderate level of fitness. The hike up to the summit can take 10 minutes to an hour depending on your pace and whether you use the trails or the the summit road. Cyclists may be able to ride to the summit, but motorbikes and scooters are not allowed.
Mount Eden is a suburb in Auckland, honoring George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland. Strategically located just 4 kilometers south of the Central Business District, Mt. Eden is accessible on foot from many of the surrounding streets and by vehicle from Mt. Eden Road. This is a great spot for leisurely hiking and photography.
Cost: Free entry
Hours of operation: The Mt Eden Road and Tahaki Drive entrances to the park are open from 7:00 am – 8.30 pm in summer and 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
in winter, aligning with daylight saving.
How to get to Mount Eden: Commuting to Mt Eden Village is easy as there are two services available; a fast and regular commuter service and a scenic service that takes in the other suburbs and key destinations in Auckland.
Enjoy the High Life at Auckland’s Sky Tower / Sky City
Standing 328 meters high, Auckland’s Sky Tower is the tallest artificial structure in New Zealand and offers breathtaking views for up to 80 kilometers in every direction. Visitors can travel up in the glass-fronted lifts to one of the three spectacular viewing platforms and get the ultimate introduction to Auckland city. The Sky Tower admission fee includes access to the 220 meter Sky Deck viewing platform, 186 meter Main Observation Level and 182 meter Sky Café.
If enjoying the view of Auckland isn’t enough for you, the Sky Tower also offers several adventure activities including SkyWalk and SkyJump right off the side of the Tower. At the base of the Sky Tower lies SKYCITY Auckland entertainment complex, home to two world-class hotels, Auckland’s premier dining area with over 20 bars and restaurants, a 700-seat theater and a world-class Casino.
- Cost: $29 for adults, $23 for senior citizens, $20 for students, $12 for children (6-14 yrs old), Free for children under 5.
- Hours of operation: The Auckland Sky Tower is open daily from 8.30 am until late. The Sky Tower may be closed from time to time due to adverse weather conditions. SkyCity Auckland is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- How to get to Sky Tower: SKYCITY is New Zealand’s most popular entertainment destination located in the heart of Auckland City on the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets. The tower is a 10-minute walk from Britomart – Auckland’s central bus and train station and right next to the Intercity Bus terminal. Link bus services are the easiest way to get around Auckland.
- BOOK Auckland Sky Tower Admission HERE
- BOOK Auckland Skywalk & Skyjump HERE
Enjoy the breeze at Bastion Point
Bastion Point (known in Māori as Takaparawhā) is a beautiful spot that offers a great view of the Hauraki Gulf and Waitematā Harbour and central Auckland. This is one of the most popular spots in Auckland to take photos of the skyline and harbor.
The scenic area includes the Savage Memorial, which commemorates Michael Joseph Savage, one of New Zealand’s most beloved prime ministers. Bastion Point has beautifully landscaped gardens and a reflecting pool, with an Art Deco memorial and obelisk.
- Cost: Free entry
- Hours of operation: Open daily from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm
- How to get there: Bastion Point lookout is stop number 1 on the Red Circle route for the Auckland Hop On, Hop Off Explorer bus.
Get up close to wildlife at the Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo is home to the largest collection of native and exotic animals in New Zealand. Set amidst 17 hectares of lush parkland and just minutes from central Auckland, this zoo will bring you up close to the tropical rainforest, where you can see 138 different species, including tigers, giraffes, elephants and monkeys. You can also see native New Zealand wildlife up close, like the famous kiwi bird and the tuatara. If you’re traveling with kids, this is a good stop where you’ll want to spend a couple of hours at least.
- Cost: $28.50 for adults (15 yrs and older), $19 for students and seniors with valid IDs, $14 for children (1-14 yrs), $45 for family pass (1 adult and 2 children), Free for Infants
- Hours of operation: Open daily from – (Last entry at 4:15pm)
- How to get to Auckland Zoo: Auckland Zoo is on Motions Road, just west of downtown Auckland and next to Western Springs Reserve and Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). MOTAT’s tram network provides a link between both attractions. If taking the bus, the closest stop is 8124 on Great North Road, opposite Motions Road (with a short walk down Motions Road to Auckland Zoo).
- Website: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/
Visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum
For history buffs, the Auckland War Memorial Museum is a must-see. The museum stretches up three levels, with well-curated displays showing New Zealand’s story, from their emergence as a nation, to their unique natural history and our fascinating Māori and Pacific treasures. Built in 1929, the Auckland War Memorial Museum houses a collection of Māori and Pacific Island treasures, plus an award-winning discovery center for children of all ages, and exhibitions commemorating the story of New Zealanders at war.
For history buffs, the Auckland War Memorial Museum is a must-see. The museum stretches up three levels, with well-curated displays showing New Zealand’s story, from their emergence as a nation, to their unique natural history and our fascinating Māori and Pacific treasures. Built in 1929, the Auckland War Memorial Museum houses a collection of Māori and Pacific Island treasures, plus an award-winning discovery center for children of all ages, and exhibitions commemorating the story of New Zealanders at war.
A Māori cultural performance is held inside the museum every day at 11am, 12 midday, and 1.30pm. This is a great way to experience Māori culture through song and dance. The foyer area has free wifi, a café and toilets, and is available to everyone.
- Cost: $25 for adults, $10 for children, $60 for families; Free for Aucklanders.
- Hours of operation: Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Closed Christmas Day
- How to get to Auckland Museum: Auckland Museum can be easily reached from any part of the city, by car or public transport including the LINK Bus stops on nearby Parnell Road, the Explorer Bus stops outside the Museum every 60 minutes (30 minutes Oct – Mar). For train passengers, the Museum is a 10-minute walk from Grafton Station (Western line) and 15 minutes from Newmarket Station (Western/Southern lines).
- Website: www.aucklandmuseum.com
Enjoy nature at parks and gardens
Auckland has a lot of beautiful public parks and gardens you can visit for free, each with their own charms. The beautiful Wintergardens which consists of two ornate Victorian-style display glasshouses with rare and spectacular plants, is just walking distance from the Auckland War Memorial museum, so it’s worth a visit.
- Cost: Free entry
- Hours of operation: Open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Eden Garden is a small and peaceful sanctuary where you can enjoy small waterfalls, rock formations, resident native birds and fabulous city and harbor views, as well as a cafe. I loved the goblin holes and tiny fairy-like houses scattered about the landscaped grounds and walking trails here.
- Cost: $8 for adults, $6 for NZ seniors. Free for children
- Hours of operation: Open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Summer and Winter)
The Auckland Botanic Gardens located on Hill Road, Manurewa, covers a sprawling 64 hectares of land, including 10 hectares of native forest, with unique gardens and landscapes with a distinctive South Pacific flavor.
- Cost: Free entry
- Hours of operation: Open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (Winter/ April to September) and 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (Summer October to March).
- Website: www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz
One Tree Hill & Cornwall Park are neighboring parks, together being the largest parkland in Auckland. Within the grounds you’ll find the Auckland Stardome Observatory. Both don’t require any entrance fees.
Have a picnic by the beach at Mission Bay
Mission Bay is a waterfront haven built around an idyllic beach which is separated from the central city by a brief and beautiful drive. From the iconic fountain to dining with views of Rangitoto and the Waitemata Harbor, this area is a peaceful, yet bustling area in Auckland’s Eastern Bays.
After an action-packed itinerary in Queenstown on South Island, this is where Art and I regrouped with my parents (who opted to stay in the northernmost quiet town of Picton on South Island). It was nice to just take it slow and enjoy a picnic by the beach with fish & chips here. This was one of our last stops before we all flew home together.
It’s always great to connect with Filipinos living and working abroad! I’d like to thank Felix & Edna Baron and family for picking us up and dropping us off at the airport and touring us around Auckland during our stay there.
While most tourists don’t spend too much time in Auckland, it has a lot to offer, as we found out. If you have time to spare, allot a couple of days before or after visiting New Zealand’s other major destinations. The Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Waitomo and Coromandel can all be visited on short trips from Auckland.
Stay tuned for my other guides on New Zealand destinations we visited including Thames, Taupo, Rotorua, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch, Tekapo and Queenstown.