7 Things You Have to See in Auckland

It's possible that Auckland, the 'City of Sails', will be your first taste of New Zealand when you arrive, so it's worth spending at least a few days exploring the country's largest city as part of your travel itinerary.

Auckland has just about everything to suit all tastes from spectacular vistas, fine beaches, great shopping and high culture to many great outdoor attractions. More options are open within easy driving distance of the city, so booking a hire car and taking off for the day or afternoon is certainly worthwhile.

Here are seven things you must see:

1. City centre architecture
A leisurely trip around the city centre reveals an attractive and fascinating mix of old and new. What appears at first to be a modern city with its glass and steel edifices reveals plenty of historical architectural treasures such as Auckland Town Hall with its marble frontage, the imposing Baroque style Ferry Building, and much more.

2. Auckland Sky Tower
Jutting into the sky like a giant needle, at 328 metres high, the Sky Tower is New Zealand's tallest building.

Wonderful views, extending to some 80 kilometres away on a clear day, are possible from the observation deck reached by high speed glass lift. Plus, if you're feeling adventurous, you can walk around the platform 192 metres above ground. For the ultimate adrenaline rush, a 'sky jump' is available.

3. Waitemata Harbour
The city's most prominent natural feature, the photogenic Waitemata Harbour, prompted Auckland's initial growth through its easily navigable waterway.

The area is dominated by the 43 metre high Auckland Harbour Bridge; get the camera out for some super landscape photos, especially at sunset.

4. One Tree Hill
An oasis of calm amidst the bustle of Auckland, a climb to the summit of One Tree Hill is reward with wonderful views over the city.

One Tree Hill is one of 53 volcanic hills in the Auckland area - enough to climb one a week with one left over - and features an obelisk built over the grave of Sir John Logan Campbell who gifted Auckland this area of greenery.

5. Waiheke Island
The most popular of Auckland's Hauraki Gulf Islands - and reachable by ferry from central Auckland in just over 30 minutes - there are plenty of options on Waiheke Island including superb hiking, wonderful views, white sandy beaches, art galleries and cafés - not to mention the wine tours it's well known for.

You could try the Church Bay Circuit - a three-hour walk giving a great overview of the island – and, if you like your history, visit the Stony Batter Historic Reserve, an underground tunnel system built during World War II in case of attack.

6. Beaches
The East and West Coast Beaches offer rugged, natural beaches close to Auckland - and a short drive out of the city in your hire car is rewarded with even more spectacular beach scenery.

In the west, Piha Beach makes for a dramatic location for picnics and sunbathing, with its volcanic black sand and rocky outcrops. To the east is the highly popular Takapuna Beach, while a drive out of the city offers the attractive Maraetai and Orewa Beaches.

7. Puhoi
Arguably one of the best day trips out of Auckland, jump in the hire car and, 50 kilometres later, you'll be in the small township of Puhoi.

Founded by immigrants in the 1860s from Bohemia (now in the Czech Republic), Puhoi has retained much of its early settler look and feel.

History buffs will find the Bohemia Museum and the churchyard containing the graves of early settlers interesting, while art studios and boutiques offer shopping options - and there are plenty of hikes if you fancy some exercise.

…And much more
The above is a taster of what Auckland offers but there's much more to be had - including wonderful museums such as the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum, the War Memorial Museum, Auckland Art Gallery with more than 15,000 works on display and - for outdoor pursuits - the rugged Great Barrier Island offering hiking, biking and sea kayaking activities.

You may need more than a few days to do Auckland justice.

 

Photo by Dan Freeman on Unsplash