14 Best things to do in Auckland in 2023

Auckland is the city of sails with hundreds of yachts sailing into the harbor and the Hauraki Gulf. I’ve lived here for a few years, enjoying Auckland’s best variety of indoor activities, outdoor adventure, beaches, hikes, and art/history.

You’ll transform from city to nature within minutes, with a good balance of outdoor and indoor activities. Whether it’s the shopping scene you like or the nature scene you like; Auckland has everything to keep you busy!

If you’re an ocean lover, there are plenty of beaches around Auckland. If you’re a hiker, there are plenty of hikes. So let’s explore Auckland together 🙂

Took me a while to start appreciating the beauty of Auckland, having a car certainly helps a lot. As many amazing sceneries, hikes, and beaches are only reachable by car!

What to do in Auckland- 15 fun things to do in 2023

Visit Rooftop Bars

There are countless rooftop bars in Auckland, from more chilling vibes to high-class vibe rooftop bars. If you are wondering what to do in Auckland at night, this is one of the best things to do in Auckland at night! 

HI-SO Rooftop Bar

It is located on top of the groovy SO/ Auckland hotel, personally, I really like the view from this rooftop bar, and the drinks are average. The food I wouldn’t say it’s that great, just order a bit to nibble on if needed. After all, it is a bar so the drinks are more important anyway!

There are indoor areas and a terrace facing the harbor view, the light at night makes it even better! The space out on the terrace is first come first served if you do want better seats with an amazing view then come early; especially on weekends or Wednesday nights!

Check out here for more information

Bar Albert

Rooftop bar on top of the newly opened (2022) voco Auckland hotel, also the highest rooftop bar in New Zealand being on the 38th floor. You can see the Auckland skyline clearly, and if you come during sunset time the color of the sky will amaze you!

Just be mindful, expect the wait time to be crazy if you get there anytime later than 5 pm, that’s their biggest issue at the moment “the waiting list system”. Otherwise, once you get on there everything is pretty amazing!

Dr. Rudi’s

This is a more chillax rooftop bar set right in front of the Auckland Viaduct, it’s only on the second floor so don’t expect a view looking down to the Auckland skyline. However, the view is still perfect from the outdoor open area of the bar looking out to the water and all the yachts/boats on it 🙂

This is a rooftop bar where you can actually have a proper meal without breaking the bank, as there is more variety of food options at a more affordable price. 

There are so many other rooftop bars in Auckland, so put it on your bucket list to at least visit one while you’re here!

Cat Cafe

If you’re a cat lover you’ll have to pay a visit to one of the cat cafes in Auckland, or if you’re just looking for fun things to do in Auckland. There were more cat cafes a few years back, but due to the pandemic, a few of them have permanently closed now 🙁

Purrs & Beans

Located in Birkenhead, around a 10-15 mins drive from Auckland CBD. Longest-running cat cafe in New Zealand, home to many special rescued cats. Come for a visit at their home, see them play, and get some love from the cats, also show them some love as well! Even being a dog person myself I still get melted seeing those cats playing around!

You need to pre-book to enter the cafe and it’s $14 per person, highly recommended to book in advance, especially during the peak season on weekends and school holidays. It is a cafe, after all, so you have the option of ordering drinks and some nibbles if you want!

If you are allergic to cars, or any form of immuno-defficiency it is highly recommended by the store that you do not enter the cat area. And please do not feed the cats, they are very spoiled and well-fed! Check out here for more information before your visit.

Auckland Harbour Cruise

Imagine yourself sailing in the middle of the sea while enjoying a 3-course cuisine prepared for you, with the breeze brushing your face and hair and a wonderful dinner view. This is a chance to get into a more sophisticated, elite lifestyle dining and sailing on a cruise haha. Also, if you’re looking to level up your night, there is a fully-licensed bar onboard!

There is also a guide onboard for commentary, and sharing interesting stories. And when you’re done with dinner, you’ll sail back while the sun is setting and see the orange, pink sky over the Auckland skyline; it is just majestic!

Bring a light jacket, windproof or waterproof jacket as it does get chilly at night even in summer, especially that you’ll be sailing on water which makes the breeze even colder!

Weta Unleashed Experience

It’s a half film set and half workshop experience, 90 minutes interactive walk-through. If you are a fan of movies, being creative, crafting, etc.. This is a must-visit for you. Seeing all the movie characters come to life, with different effects. The guides are all very knowledgeable and can fulfill your curiosity about the workshop!

To be very honest I’ve not been to this tour, and I live literally 5 minutes away from SkyCity, but it is definitely on my bucket list of what to do in Auckland, so you should put it on yours too! The reviews of this experience are immensely good, most people have spoken highly of it. Perfect for a date, family outing, or even solo travelers! And when you’re done, why not drop by one of the SkiCity restaurants to fill yourself up?

Waiheke Day Trip

One of the best day trips in Auckland to take is only a 45 minutes ferry away from downtown Auckland. Easy day trip decision if you’re unsure of what to do in Auckland on a certain day! Beautiful scenery along the ferry ride to Waiheke Island, a variety of wineries for all the wine lovers out there, amazing white sandy beaches, and a laid-back, relaxing vibe!

Just get a ferry ticket and hop on the next available ferry, super easy and convenient. And it’s also very easy to get around Waiheke island, there are normal buses, Hop on Hop off buses or you can rent a car!

Do pre-book your ferry ticket online, as it is a cheaper rate than buying it at the ferry terminal.

Explore the surrounding hiking trails

Auckland is blessed with both city and natural wonders. Within minutes you can be transported from buzzing city life to a tranquil nature scene! There are so many hiking day trips to take, it might be overwhelming to choose one. So I’ve made a list below with some, hopefully, it will help you with choosing!

This is what to do in Auckland if you want to escape the city buzzing life for a while, and connect with nature!

Te Henga Walkway

45 minutes drive from Auckland CBD

It is a beautiful easy trail located in West Auckland, a cliff-top walk overlooking Bethells Beach, the wild west coast, and the surrounding dunes. You can see the ocean wave crashing against the shore which creates layers of white ocean foam!

The track is relatively easy, however, it does get quite muddy, especially after rainfall. And there are some steep parts, so watch out where you’re going!

Omanawanui Track

1-hour drive from Auckland CBD

It is another track that’s located in the wild west of Auckland, with a beautiful view overlooking the Manukau Harbour, Awhitu Peninsula, and Whatipu Beach. It’s mostly very well-maintained stairs along the track, some are steeper which you do need to watch out for.

It does get quite busy, especially on the weekends, so prepare for some crowds and some photo bombs in your lovely pictures haha!

Comans Track and Mercer Loop Bay

50 minutes drive from Auckland CBD

A beautiful coastal walk above Piha Beach, overlooking the turquoise-colored ocean. You can see the color layer from dark to light blue. It is truly gorgeous! 

There are also many other tracks near this one, so venture out if you have time. See here for all the other tracks!

Rangitoto Summit Track

30 minutes Ferry to Rangitoto Island

Another easy to get the track in Auckland, especially if you don’t have a car. The most popular track on the island. Just take a 30-minute ferry down to Rangitoto Island! Walk the paths through lava fields, the largest pohutukawa forest in the world. And at the end, you’d be rewarded with panoramic views including the Auckland skyline.

Make sure to bring your own water and food, as you won’t find any on the island!

There is so much more hiking or walks in the Auckland region, I’ve only listed out a few more popular ones. But check out here if you want to explore more hikes in Auckland.

Kayak to the Rangitoto Island

Followed by the previous Rangitoto Summit track, if you think getting to the island by ferry is too mundane for you. Don’t worry, you can kayak your way there! (Exciting) Take the sunset kayak tour or the day tour; both tours have BBQ provided for you at the end of the Summit hike. And you’ll be able to see some little blue penguins if you’re lucky while paddling 🙂

It’s definitely a unique experience kayaking across the Waitemata harbor, seeing the Auckland skyline along the way, and having an experienced knowledgeable guide making sure you’re safe and having an enjoyable time! This is what to do in Auckland for those who love outdoor activities!

You do need to have a moderate fitness level, as you’d first paddle across the harbor and then go on a one-hour hike to Rangitoto Summit! Very rewarding!

Visit a Regional Park

Whether you’re looking for a good spot to picnic, do a BBQ, or want to spend a day connecting with nature. Going to one of the regional parks in Auckland is one of the best things to do! They have hiking trails, unique NZ birds, a peaceful vibe, and amazing spots for family outings.

Also, it is a good place for a camping trip; they have really basic facilities though. Usually, there are only toilets on site!

Tawharanui Regional Park

1 hr 15 min drive from Auckland CBD

One of my favorite regional parks in Auckland at the moment, where I saw the national bird “Kiwi” in its own habitat for the first time very close up in real life (that’s not at a zoo). And I came back to camping which I absolutely loved, the starring night, the peaceful vibe, and the wave crashing sound.

Beautiful Peninsula, with a sandy beach for daytime activity, swimming, snorkeling, or surfing. And at night time, you can venture out to witness kiwi or admire the millions of stars above you! You can spend the whole day here without feeling bored at all, if you aren’t a big ocean person, there are different walking trails or park areas for those less active and just want to relax!

If you’re planning to camp in Tawharanui Campground, please note they only have long drop (non-flushable) toilets on site. And while you do need to pre-book a spot, you can’t pre-book a certain spot; so come earlier to get a spot you prefer 🙂

Long Bay Regional Park

30 min drive from Auckland CBD

Long Bay regional park is a nice seaside regional park for swimming, family gathering, flying a kite, or playing some beach volleyball. It is a very popular spot for both tourists and locals, especially during the warmer months of summer. And many people come here for the coastal walk along the wetland, native bush, and fields; watch out for some native birds!

There are some good facilities at Long Bay, including toilets, a kid’s playground, a few BBQs,s and picnic tables. Very suitable to bring kids and run around freely!

It does get super busy during the weekends and holidays, the carpark situation can be quite frustrating. So be prepared to spend some time finding some car parks!

Shakespear Regional Park

45 min drive from Auckland CBD

This was the start of my camping life in Auckland, New Zealand, the first regional park I’ve camped at in Auckland. And the experience was, of course, amazing which is why I started to camp more and have my own gear!  There are many different trails to explore, it’s an open field and you can come close to some farm cattle along some of the trails. 

And there is also a track, “Waterfall Gully” where you can possibly witness glow worms (for free!!) It is not a lot, but still very worth seeing if you are in the park! Also note that the waterfall is really dependent on the rain, so if you visit on a dry day you might not see any water flowing down at all (this happened to me).

The campground here is peaceful, and huge so even with many people around you won’t feel cramped.

Some quick facts about the Regional Park

• To protect the birdlife, there are strict rules placed around Auckland Regional parks about bringing dogs, so read the rules and signs carefully. All regional park’s camping grounds prohibited dogs from all times (unless otherwise discussed prior with the park manager for permission).

• New Zealand is working very hard to prevent the spread of Kauri dieback disease, so read the sign properly to see which areas are off-limits. And clean your footwear/ equipment!

• Pre-book a slot for the campgrounds, especially if you plan to visit on weekends/ holidays as there is a limit of capacity. 

• If you do have a campground booked, show up earlier to set up your tent/ van, etc..to ensure you get your preferred spot.

Visiting one or a few regional parks is what to do in Auckland for a relaxing yet active day!

Have a beach day

A very popular thing to do in Auckland, especially during the warmer months, tourists and locals both come out to the beach for sunbathing, swimming, or surfing. There are many beautiful beaches around Auckland, some have better waves for surfers, some have calmer waves for swimmers, some have BBQ facilities, etc…

Mission Bay

The easiest beach to get to from Auckland CBD is if you don’t have a car, it takes around an hour and a half to walk, or around 20 min bus ride (TMK bus line from Britomart). I’ve done the walk from Auckland CBD to Mission bay a few times and it was so lovely, from Britomart onward you’d be mostly walking along a scenic ocean route so the walk won’t seem that long and boring!

There are many restaurants/ ice cream shops along Mission Bay beach, and it is a very popular spot for picnics and BBQ!

Takapuna Beach

One of the most famous beaches on the North Shore in Auckland. It has a sandy beach and lovely warm water for swimming, it’s quite a long stretch of beach area with multiple entry points. It does get very busy in summer, but as the area is quite big I never really feel it being over-crowded. 

Takapuna is also like the center of the North Shore, with a diverse dining scene, a variety of things to do, and some boutique shopping! Also, the view of Auckland skyline along the drive from North Shore back to Auckland city is amazing!

Tawharanui Beach

A longer drives from Auckland CBD, but it’s very worth the drive. It is located in the Tawharanui Regional Park mentioned above. One of the best places for surfing around Auckland, and also suitable for beginners to try surfing here!

It’s near Matakana, which is a popular tourist spot with its famous Saturday market, photogenic public toilet, and many many cafes. You should definitely stop by Matakana if you plan on going to Tawharanui Beach, it is one of the best day trips to take in Auckland!

Remember to bring and apply plenty of sunscreens, New Zealand sun is very scary DO NOT underestimate it! And bring plenty of water to stay hydrated 🙂

Stargazing on the Great barrier island

The great barrier island is an international Dark Sky reserve sanctuary, meaning it is an amazing place for stargazing. You can either take a ferry (4 and a half hours) or a flight (30 mins) from Auckland to the Great Barrier island. 

Take the Stargazing tour with GOOD HEAVENS to explore this dark sky sanctuary, learn about the stars above you and make sense of how the ancestors used them, and listen to some fascinating stories. The starry night will make you love mother nature more, be amazed by how big the universe is, and the milky way across the sky will really wow you.

You can look at the pictures online all you want, but nothing can compare to seeing the dazzling sky in real life. The Great Barrier island is very off the grid, perfect for those looking to completely relax and enjoy life as it is. This is what to do in Auckland if you want to get lost in the moment without a worry in life!

Visit the market in Parnell

Open on Saturdays and Sundays 

8:30 am- 1 pm

It used to be a popular French market, but it had to close down last year due to the end of the lease. After a few long months of the closure of the French market, this market- Buono Gastro is open. Many delicious, well-known food stalls are around waiting for you to explore, from baked goods, and sweet treats to deli meats, etc…

Parnell is a village with sophisticated style, boutique shopping, cute cafes, and many chocolate stores. It will fit right in your Auckland Itinerary, spend a few hours wandering around the village, or visit the Parnell rose garden!

Skydiving

Imagine diving out of a plane while admiring the view of Auckland’s coastal landscapes and the islands/mountaintops nearby. It is not only adrenaline-pumping but also an amazing way to see Auckland! You also get to take a scenic flight before going to a certain level ready for you to dive out (that is if you don’t spend the whole flight being nervous haha)

Depending on your budget and thrill-seeking levels, there are different heights you can choose. And dependent on the height you choose, you will also experience different lengths of freefall. Nonetheless, it will be quite scary but very worthwhile and can make you feel like you’ve accomplished something amazing!

Like this kind of weather-dependent activity, I would strongly recommend booking in the early days of your itinerary. So there’s enough time in your trip to reschedule if needed!

Explore the Auckland Dining scene

Auckland has the most diverse dining scene in New Zealand, whether you’re looking for Asian food, Western food, or Middle Eastern food you will find something here. 

I have to be honest though, it is not cheap to dine out in Auckland or anywhere in New Zealand actually.

Usually, on weekend/ holiday nights the dining in restaurants will get quite busy between 6 pm-8:30 pm, so make reservations to ensure you have a seat!

There is so much more to do in Auckland, a combination of outdoor adventures and indoor things to do in Auckland. You are likely to find something to do rain or shine 🙂