Must Visit Top Rated Tourist Attractions in Auckland

Auckland is the largest and the most populous city in New Zealand and a place that never goes unnoticed as it is always alive. One of the largest cities in the United States, this global city is situated on the coast of two large harbors; here tourists can visit some of the finest tourist destinations. For conical mountains and lush parks, Auckland is full of sites related to geology and fauna, accented by art museums and family fun.

It is one of the world’s most breathtaking cities, nestled among rainforests and 48 volcanic plugs that form a stark backdrop to the city’s geography. One of the things not to be missed is a hike to Mount Eden, which is Auckland’s largest volcanic cone rising to nearly 200 meters above the sea level. First of all, you can enjoy the beautiful sightseeing of the city and the interesting prospects of the Waitemata and Manukau harbors in their entirety with the help of 360-degree viewpoints from the top. It is particularly mesmerizing at sundown. You may also go on a cliff that brings you close to the edge of Rangitoto Island to capture marvelous scenes of the harbor and other parts of Auckland including its downtown area. This exceptional natural monument is a volcano which was formed about 600 years ago and it is located near the city, to be more precise – it is possible to get there by water, using the ferry.

The Auckland Domain is another excellent park in the urban center of Auckland where people can relax. This huge park has football turf, carefully manicured lawns, water fountains for the birds and ducks, and paths for walking surrounded by huge trees. The domain also houses one of the largest indoor attractions of Auckland, which is The Auckland War Memorial Museum. This large-scale museum explores New Zealand’s art, history, and indigenous Maori culture impressively through well-guided galleries and installations. This includes Polynesian artefacts and a realistic model of a woolly mammoth skeleton which was constructed in 2008. Another place worthy of a visit is the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, which houses an extensive collection of historic, modern, and contemporary art, which includes over 15,000 works.

For shopping and entertainment, there’s the fashionable Viaduct Harbour located at the mouth of the extinct volcanic crater. This redesigned foreshore area contains many active bars, restaurants, art museums, chic shops, and the Sky Tower, Auckland’s premier landmark. Standing at 328 meters tall, the building gives a spectacular bird’s eye view of the city from interior and exterior observation decks, bungee jumping, and tilting ledge for the extreme. During the night the Viaduct Harbour is full of lights of different facilities and the sea of Waitemata Harbour enhances the nightlife of the city.

Heading north we have the famous Waitakere Ranges regional park within a short drive. Here the virgin rain forests grow on steep slopes covered with quartzite and descend on black sand beaches on the Tasman Sea coast. Several bush walks of different levels of intensity pass through and around these forests, near waterfalls and alongside streams with ferns. The towering kauri trees found all over the park are ecological assets with some of the trees measuring more than 500 years old and with enormous trunk diameters. The Arataki Visitor’s Centre also has detailed information on the natural environs of the park, including printable maps and recommendations for the best vantage points.

One would not want to travel to Auckland without scheduling a day on family-friendly Waiheke Island located on the other side of the harbour. Only 35 minutes by ferry from the mainland, this island offers lush vineyards, olive groves, quaint villages, more than 30 beautiful sandy beaches, and crystal waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sea-kayaking. Visit any of the many winning wineries for wines and a good meal of good food and good wine. Then take a group and dance along the Coastal Walkway that joins several beaches together with beautiful vistas over the islands of the Hauraki Gulf.

Notably, Auckland is New Zealand’s largest Polynesian population centre and there are many opportunities to experience Maori culture in its traditional and modern manifestations. Whilst in the Tamaki Maori Village, local Maori guides dressed in tribal costumes display artifacts and tell Maori practices, art, myth, and history, and also the indigenous methods of their elders. The guest can also have a thrilling cultural show including a haka war challenge and a New Zealand traditional meal called hangi, which is cooked in an oven that is built into the ground. Other Maori tour operators in Auckland offer opportunities to reconnect with the Maori heritage in different forms of learning, whether it be through cultural workshops, guided walks, or spiritual encounters.

Indeed, Auckland is rightly called the “City of Sails” owing to 48 volcanic peaks, 50 islands, the night lights of the metropolitan, sparkling harbors, and the forested ranges surrounding it. From climbing up an old volcano, sailing around the harbor, or relaxing on the golden sand Auckland offers immediately an incredible variety of things to see in terms of nature and outlook for every single tourist. From the top of the Sky Tower to down in the heart of a primeval tropical rain forest, this modern world city seamlessly integrated with nature just captivates visitors all around.