Auckland is a spectacular city in New Zealand and home to beautiful monuments, museums, art galleries, national parks, white-sand beaches, and stunning attractions. The vibrant culture and exotic vibes make the city’s heart happy, also known as the ‘City of Sails.’ There are so many interesting things to do, besides enjoying the sightseeing tours across the town. 

The most prominent highlight of Auckland is its landmark beauty, Sky Tower, 328 meters high, and the tallest building to see in New Zealand. Photographers will find the site picturesque and capture the fantastic shots and share them with the world. Some of the popular attractions to explore are Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Sky Tower, Albert Park, Howick Historical Village, Auckland Zoo, Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary, Waiheke Island, mount Eden, Rangitoto Island, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and the Hobbiton Movie Set. 

Best Things to Do in Auckland

If you are confused between the epic and unusual things to do in Auckland, here is a travel guide to help you make the best choice. 

Discover the Art and Culture of Auckland 

Auckland is home to beautiful cultural and historical sites, representing the rich heritage and traditions. The Art Gallery was constructed in 1887 in an incredible French Renaissance style, displaying the massive collection of more than 15,000 artworks. The permanent art gallery exhibits plenty of artwork masterpieces, including sculptures and European painting, dating back to the 14th century. It is situated on the ground floor of the art gallery, including Maori and Pacific Island artists.

Guided tours are also available for tourists, and once they have taken a tour of the museums and art galleries, they can sit and eat at some of the best cafes. 

The War Memorial Museum is one of the Neoclassical buildings, largely dedicated to New Zealand soldiers who fought courageously in the First World War. Today, it exhibits the enormous collection of artifacts from the time of Polynesian settlers till the modern-day. 

Witness the Exotic Beauty and Wilderness of Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is Auckland’s magical and popular site that has to be on your travel bucket list. It is located within the Hauraki Gulf, near Tiritiri Matangi Open Sanctuary, and features numerous art galleries, fancy cafes, and gorgeous white sand beaches. Adventure seekers can find hiking trails along the coastline and throughout the island. If you want to gain an even more challenging hiking experience, head to the Church Bay Circuit and take a three-hour walk while witnessing the breathtaking views. In addition, one can also book a zip-lining excursion for endless adventure and thrill. 

If you take a keen interest in history, visit the Stony Batter Historic Reserve built in World War II. There are beautiful accommodation options, from beach-side resorts, cottage rentals, and hotels, which are easily accessible. 

Go for Stargazing on Great Barrier Island in Auckland 

What can be magical than stargazing and getting lost for sometimes in the beauty of stars and calmness at night? It is a feeling of bliss that one can’t experience in his typical life. While you are here, you can’t miss going to the Great Barrier Island, and it is the first site constructed as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world. It is ideal for people who wish to have a quiet experience and appreciate minimum light and air pollution. 

One can find the lush green forest and indulge in hiking activities on the Aotea Track or take a tour of the Glenfern Sanctuary or simply relax in Medlands Beach. In short, there is so much to explore nearby the island. So make United Airlines booking and spend a great time chilling with your travel partners in the beautiful city of Auckland. 

Kayak to Rangitoto Island 

Rangitoto Island is Auckland’s alluring and most iconic tourist attraction, best for enjoying water sports. Tourists can take a short ferry to walk to the summit to witness the spectacular scenes or be a part of a sunset kayak tour by renting kayaks. It would be a unique experience to catch the daytime and watch the beautiful sun from a close view. It will be a five-kilometer trip that will take you towards the glittering water of Tamaki Street, and you can see the passing ferries or penguins. The interesting fact about the island is that it features the largest and highest volcano along with Waitemata Harbour. The average fee for kayaking is $195, including a BBQ lunch. 

Sky Jumping off the Sky Tower

Auckland features endless opportunities for adventure and thrill. There is so much to discover across the town, from skydiving for about 192 meters above ground level. If it is not challenging enough, you can head to Auckland’s Harbour Bridge. It was built in 1959, and it is more than one kilometer long and 43 meters high and connects downtown to the northern districts and the gorgeous beaches. 

There are so many fun things to do, from appreciating the sightseeing tours. So many people come here to be a part of the popular activity, bungee jumping or sky jumping. However, adventure is not your thing, and you can enjoy the alluring views from the top of the bridge. 

Take a tour of the SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium

SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium is one of the most popular tourist attractions to explore in Auckland and kids’ favorite place. It offers a great opportunity to see the marine creatures from a close view and interact with them. The site features plenty of massive aquariums, home to tropical fishes, stingrays, sharks, and other aquatic animals. Located in Tamaki Drive, Orakei, the aquarium features an Antarctic Encounter Gallery, Antarctica’s International scientific communities. 

Tourists can take a unique experience from Shark Cage Snorkel and Shark Dive. The entry tickets are available even for online bookings. Some of the popular attractions of the aquarium include Shipwreck Shores, Turtle Rescue Centre, Shark Tunnel, Antarctica Ice Adventure, and so on. So plan an interesting trip by making American Airlines booking and get ready for an unforgettable experience.