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Things to do in Auckland, New Zealand
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items I will be the first person to complain about Auckland. I've lived here for over 10 years now, and it grates on me. Buuuuut I need to get better at recognising the good things and not just be angry at the traffic and the public transport all the time ...
Map
Sections
6
Experiences / Activities
Parks and Nature
Cafes I Love
Bookshops
Markets
Shopping
Experiences / Activities
Experiences or activities you can check out in Auckland.
You can take a rid into the Waitematā Harbour in Auckland on the famous Ted Ashby ship. You can see more about the experience here on my blog.
Ted Ashby Ship Experience
If you're visiting Auckland, chances are you'll find yourself in the domain (where the Museum is!). Take a half hour and head to the Winter Gardens to check out some of the beautiful flora and fauna.
Auckland Domain Wintergardens
If you've been to other zoos around the world, then Auckland Zoo isn't anything super special. BUT it does have some really cool New Zealand birds, and you might even catch a glimpse of the kiwi!
Auckland Zoo
My friend and I head to the Auckland Food Show every year and have such a great time!
The Auckland Food Show 2025
As well as some more permanent galleries, there's always something cool happening at the Auckland Art Gallery.
Auckland Art Gallery
If you're a Lord of the Rings or Wētā fan, then this is a must! You do need to buy tickets, but it's a really cool way to spend a few hours (especially if the weather has caught you out!).
Wētā Workshop Unleashed
A great chance for families to check out the beautiful New Zealand night sky. There are also lots of things on thorughout the year, too, so check in and see what's happening when you're visiting.
Te Whatu Stardome | Observatory & Planetarium
Kelly Tarlton's is New Zealand's main aquariam, and while you probably won't see anything that you wouldn't see in other Sea Life spots around the world, it is a goodie if it's raining in Auckland (likely haha) and you need something to do to enterta...
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
If you don't have much time when you're visiting Auckland, a Hop On Hop Off bus is a great way to see the city. I've taken many of these in my day, and find they give you a really great overview of a city.
Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus
Going up the Sky Tower is one of those classic Auckland things to do. If you've been up any other tall tower in the world (Seattle Space Needle, Tokyo Tower etc) then it's much the same. You get a really good overview of the city from up there and ca...
Sky Tower Auckland
If you're one for jumping on the bike and exploring a city that way, then Auckland has a great (newish) cycle way thorugh the city, and they're still linking up paths to carry cyclists all over the city. The Pink Path in the city is a cool track to t...
Nelson Street Cycleway (Pink Path)
Full discloure: I haven't done this one. But I've heard great things! Something a bit different if you're visiting.
Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb
Parks and Nature
If you don't have access to car while you're in Auckland, doing a Hop On Hop Off bus tour is a great option. There's also this one on Waiheke - Waiheke Island is a great visit!
Waiheke Island: Ferry & Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Tickets
A beautiful park up north of Auckland. Definitely worth checking out if you have access to a car and the day is sunny!
Shakespear Regional Park
While the gardens are a little out of the way, they're still worth the visit in Auckland. You can see my blog post with some more thoughts and photos here.
Auckland Botanic Gardens
This may seem like a random thing to add to this list of things to check out in Auckland, but the Rotary Walkway in Pakuranga is a beautiful coastal walk that is well worth it!
Rotary Walk
This is such a strange phenominom! But you can book a kayak tour to see the bioluminescence. Definitely one for the bucket list!
Bioluminescence Kayak Tour
A beautiful spot in Auckland! You can also pet the animals there, which is a lot of fun. Great for families.
Ambury Regional Park
Head over to Tiritiri Matangi! A great day trip out! Take some good walking shoes, snacks, water and your togs.
Tiritiri Matangi Island Ferry
Cafes I Love
We love coffee here in New Zealand and I love catching up with friends across the city. There are some of the cafes I recommend checking out.
This is such a quirky cafe in Mt Eden, full of cirus themed decor. And the food is great, too.
Circus Circus
Owned by the same people as Circus Cirus, the Garden Shed is another themed-esque carfe in Mt Eden, just across the road. I love the garden in the back - be sure you sit out there!
The Garden Shed
While it's sometimes hard to get a table at Charlie and George (a good sign, surely?), once situation, it's a great little cafe. I really enjoy the chicken waffles.
Charlie and George
A great cafe that's got beautiful cabinet food and a delicious main menu, too. I love heading here with friends.
Hello Friends + Allies
SUCH a great cafe! They actually started across the road in a much smaller building, but have really expanded out and now are very popular. And for good reason: great coffee, great food!
Crave
Another great cafe in the heart of Mt Eden. This one is great for digital nomads or those who work from home. They have free wifi and lots of plugs you can plug your laptop in.
iPress
Bookshops
Every city needs good bookshops. And Auckland, thankfully, as a good number .
My fave new bookstore is Enamoured Books in Remuera. It's a new romance store, and as well as all the beautiful books, they also hold events and author signings there.
Enamoured Books
A great independant bookstore with lots of range, Unity Books is a must if you're in the heart of the city.
Unity Books Auckland
Whenever I'm visiting Mt Eden, I like to pop into Timeout and see what new books they have. A great little independant bookstore in Mt Eden.
Time Out Bookstore
The Auckland shop has had a bit of a wild ride, needing to move twice since I've lived in Auckland (about 11 years). But they're still going, and they're a wonderful second hand bookstore, that also has a Dunedin store.
Hard To Find Books
A quirky little secondhand bookstore across the ferry from the CBD and in Devonport. If you're visiting Devonport, then it's a lovely one to pop into and see what you can discover.
Bookmark Secondhand Books
An award-winning bookstore in Ponsonby, Auckland. Their purpose has always been to promote women's writing and to provide books reflecting women's diverse lives and interests. Super cool!
The Women's Bookshop
Markets
There are so many markets around Auckland - both food/farmers markets and then things like second markets and craft markets.
If you're up for a bit of a drive, Matakana is just north of Auckland but well worth heading there for the Saturday morning market.
Matakana Village Farmers' Market
This one is out at Hobsonville Point, and full of great stalls. You can vsiit on Saturdays and Sundays.
Catalina Bay Farmers Market
This is a GREAT farmers Sunday market near Auckland (you do need to drive there, though!). It's even greater when they run their Christmas market!
The Clevedon Village Farmers Market
Down in the heart of the city is the Britomart Martket which happens each Saturday from 8am - 2pm. If you're on the train line around Auckland, it's super easy to get to!
Britomart Saturday Market
This happens every Saturday, and then every fourth Saturday I believe there is a Craft Hartvest market, which is all crafty things! Super cute!
Parnell Farmers' Market
Lots of great stalls for sustainble living at the Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market! This one runs on Sundays.
Grey Lynn Farmers Market
A large vintage and secondhand market! This happens in the car park of the famous Junk and Disorderly.
Central Flea Market
This happens every second Sunday (but in not Jan!) in Mt Eden. It's a great crafty market that is a joy to explore. And then you can get brunch with the girls afterwards!
Mt Eden Village Craft Market
Shopping
One of the most colourful streets in Auckland, Karangahape ‘K’ Road is full of quirky shops, tattoo parlours, eateries and bars.
Karangahape Road (K' Road)
The main main now in New Market. It's a mix of high-end stores and more afforadble ones, too. The rooftop dining is a favourite of ours, as well as the cinema.
Westfield Newmarket Shopping Centre
One of the more popular/well known shopping centres in Auckland, it CAN get really busy on the weekends. But it's a goodie if you need the basics, and you have time to go during the week.
Sylvia Park Shopping Centre
Okay so this is really here for the food court. I haven't spent a lot of time in the shops in Commercial Bay, but the Food Court is really great.
Commercial Bay