Best things to do in Auckland
The top 3 according to 14 votes from people: Sky Tower · Maungawhau / Mount Eden · Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. (Updated Sep 30, 2026.)
Volcanoes, islands and the harbour: Auckland's top experiences from U.S. News, EarthTrekkers and TripAdvisor.
Top 10
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1
Sky Tower
328 m tower, New Zealand's tallest freestanding structure, with SkyWalk and SkyJump.
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2
Maungawhau / Mount Eden
Dormant volcano with a crater and 360° views over the city.
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3
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
New Zealand's largest art collection, in Albert Park.
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4
Tiritiri Matangi Island
Open sanctuary for rare native birds such as the takahē.
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5
Waiheke Island
Wine island with beaches, a 40-minute ferry ride from downtown.
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6
Viaduct Harbour
Waterfront precinct of restaurants and bars where America's Cup bases were built.
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7
One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) and Cornwall Park
Volcanic cone with an obelisk, surrounded by farmland park.
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8
Matakana Village Farmers' Market
Saturday morning market an hour north of Auckland, with local produce and wine.
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9
Piha Beach
Black-sand surf beach on the wild west coast with Lion Rock.
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10
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Museum with a major Māori and Pacific collection and daily cultural performances.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 10… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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11
Rangitoto Island
Youngest volcano in the Hauraki Gulf, with a summit walk through lava fields.
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12
Devonport
Victorian seaside suburb across the harbour by ferry, with North Head.
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13
Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium
Aquarium with an underwater tunnel and Antarctic penguins.
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14
Waitākere Ranges Regional Park
Rainforest, waterfalls and black-sand beaches 40 minutes from the city.
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15
Muriwai Gannet Colony
Takapu Refuge on Auckland's west coast where thousands of gannets nest from August to March.
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16
Auckland Domain and Wintergardens
Auckland's oldest park, with Victorian glasshouses next to the museum.
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17
Ponsonby
Inner-city suburb with cafés, restaurants and the Ponsonby Central food hall.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (1)
Great list but missing Muriwai's gannet colony, the Domain Wintergardens and Ponsonby!