Things to do in Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland’s iconic landmarks and volcanic cones 

Standing 328 meters (1,076 feet) tall, the Sky Tower is a telecommunications and observation tower that dominates and helps define this New Zealand city’s skyline. The tower is the tallest freestanding structure in New Zealand and a major local landmark. Visitors enjoy 360° views across the wider Auckland region from several observation levels, can dine at a rotating restaurant and thrill-seekers can bungee jump or “SkyWalk” 192 meters high on an exterior ledge with no handrails (harnessed in) for an incredible, bird’s-eye view of the city and Hauraki Gulf below.

Climbing and/or bungee jumping from the nearby Harbour Bridge (A.J. Hackett Auckland Bridge) is also popular with adrenaline junkies visiting the port.

Guests who want a more physical, hands-on day on the water, those who are fans of America’s Cup racing or those interested in sailing generally can join a 2.5-hour, crewed sailing excursion aboard a real America’s Cup yacht. Note that this excursion requires a walk of 550 meters between the ship’s berth and the departure/arrival point for the America's Cup boats, and the sailing conditions in the Hauraki Gulf may include gusty winds, strong currents and unpredictable weather patterns that can be challenging and demanding. This makes America's Cup sailing a true test of skill, strategy and teamwork, and during the approximate 2-hour cruise, you'll be asked to participate in sailing one of these powerful racing yachts. You might “grind” a winch, trim a sail or even take the helm. No sailing experience is necessary to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience but guests are required to be in fit physical condition, and participants must be at least 10 years old. Please wear flat-soled boat shoes or sneakers and bring a jacket.

A faster-paced 1.5-hour jet boat ride excursion is also available right on the downtown waterfront for guests who want a shorter, high-energy adventure (minimum age 5, minimum height 44 inches; not recommended for pregnant guests or those with back issues). Hold on tight as this wet and wild roller coaster of a ride performs startling acrobatic maneuvers at speeds that can reach up to 50 knots. Get ready to be splashed as the powerful boat fishtails, spins 360s and performs impressive power brake tricks.

For guests who’d rather see Auckland’s highlights from a comfortable seat, book an easy, 90-minute driving tour past Tamaki Drive, the Port of Auckland and Bastion Point.

Auckland sits on a field of dozens of dormant volcanic cones, with Maungawhau/Mount Eden the most accessible, right in the center of the city’s landmass. Mount Eden is about 3.6 miles (5.8 km) away from the Auckland Cruise Ship Terminal, which is about a 16-minute drive. If you’re in the city center already, you can walk to the base of Mount Eden in roughly an hour if you don’t want to arrange transportation. 

Once you reach the car parks at the base, it’s only about a 15-to-20 minute walk on a paved path to reach the summit, and you enjoy 360 degree views of the city from the top.

Located across the bay east of Auckland, Waiheke Island’s vineyards, olive groves and beaches are reachable by a short ferry ride, and its warm microclimate makes it a world-renowned wine destination rather than just a scenic stop (which it certainly is). A Princess excursion to Waiheke island and wineries is a great way to combine a vista-packed ferry ride with tours of two local wineries that showcase Waiheke’s perfect terroir for a variety of high-quality wines, including cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec, cabernet franc and, more recently, chardonnay. The wine estates you'll visit are true gems, and in addition to exploring, you’ll be invited to participate in tastings served with a cheese platter at one of the wineries (guests must be 18 or older to taste wine) before your ferry cruise back to Auckland.

Rangitoto Island is a volcanic, uninhabited island with a walking track across lava rock and native bush, and is a popular ferry destination for physically active guests who want to explore on their own.

For guests who want a more active, adventure-driven excursion on Waiheke itself, a zipline experience is also available on the island, where you can soar over the lush vegetation on an exciting course of three dual ziplines, each approximately 213 meters (700 feet) long. After instructions from your experienced guide, you'll climb on the platform, snap on the line and glide above a local vineyard, while the second and third ziplines criss-cross across a valley above a carpet of native forest. Next, your guide leads you on a 1-mile, guided nature walk through native bushland. Discover wonderful indigenous flora and fauna and learn the history of Waiheke along with how the eco-park experience helps to contribute, preserve and restore this Site of Environmental Significance before returning to Auckland.

Auckland offers a variety of beach experiences, from the calm, sheltered harbor beaches close to the city (such as Mission Bay or Takapuna) to the wild, black-sand surf beaches of the west coast, like Piha, about 45 minutes’ drive away. Visitors who see the black volcanic sand and dramatic coastal cliffs at Piha often describe this beach as a distinctly different experience from the harbor side of the city, or any of the typical yellow or white sand beaches they’ve seen in other parts of the world. You can arrange logistics on your own, or those interested in the Piha bush and beach eco experience can book a curated excursion.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum, also known simply as the Auckland Museum, holds collections covering New Zealand’s natural, cultural and military history, including Māori heritage and taonga (treasured artifacts). The museum is a popular stop for those primarily interested in historical and cultural knowledge and is part of the Ultimate Auckland: City Drive & Museum excursion.

If you’re more interested in art than national history, the Auckland Art Gallery features one of the country’s largest art collections, and is another good option for guests seeking an indoor stop.

Fans of maritime and/or sailing history will enjoy the New Zealand Maritime Museum on Viaduct Harbour as a natural pairing with the city’s sailing-heavy identity. For guests who want to extend their time on the water, a visit to this museum can be paired with a harbor cruise tracing Auckland’s America’s Cup history in the National Maritime Museum & Harbour Cruise excursion.

The Viaduct Harbour waterfront and Ponsonby Road are Auckland’s two standout dining areas. Both are walkable from the city center and are worth a stop for guests with time to linger and enjoy a fine meal or simply coffee and pastries. The Viaduct Harbour waterfront is the more polished and harbourside dining precinct, with waterfront restaurants, bars and views of the marina. Ponsonby Road is the more eclectic and neighborhood-driven option, known for independent restaurants, cafés, bars and a lively local atmosphere.

As far as local foods, Auckland offers a rich mix of fresh Pacific seafood, traditional Māori flavors and a vibrant Asian dining scene. Local favorites include “hokey pokey” ice cream, which is vanilla ice cream filled with crunchy honey-toffee pieces. New Zealand green-lipped mussels and local oysters are world-famous for their quality and flavor, as is the abalone (pāua), which is often served in fritters or pāua and pork sausage rolls. Savory meat pies filled with rich gravies, minced beef and cheese can be found at local bakeries like Richoux Patisserie. Fish and chips is a classic Kiwi takeaway staple featuring the fresh local catch served with hot, fresh French fries.

Princess shore excursions are the most seamless way to reach the islands, museums and outer beaches without needing to coordinate ferries or transit independently. But downtown Auckland itself is compact and walkable between the Sky Tower, waterfront and Viaduct Harbour for guests who want to explore on foot at their own pace.

A hop-on hop-off tour excursion is available covering nine popular stops around the city. (The service will begin from the wharf for Princess guests only, however the hop-on, hop-off service is not exclusive to Princess Cruises guests after departure from the wharf.)

For guests with a longer day in port, a full-day excursion to the Waitomo Glow Worm Grotto is also available for those wanting to see these remarkable caves and bioluminescent, larval insects. This excursion takes 9 hours (a 3-hour drive each way) and includes a meal. Note that this excursion is neither wheelchair accessible nor suitable for the claustrophobic. Guests must negotiate approximately 100 easy-paced steps to enter the grotto and approximately 50 steps to exit the grotto. Guests must be able to board a low, shallow boat. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a warm jacket as it is cooler underground. All photography in the caves is strictly forbidden, including non-flash photography and video.

Being in the Southern Hemisphere, Auckland’s summer runs December through February, opposite the Northern Hemisphere’s calendar. Generally, the ideal time to visit is around December through March, though guests should expect fairly pleasant, sometimes changeable weather regardless of when they visit. The coastal climate is generally mild year-round, with dressing in layers recommended given how quickly weather can shift between sun and rain. 

Auckland’s satisfying mix of city, island and coastal experiences creates a one-of-a-kind experience for those who visit. Check out all available Auckland excursions, Explore Australia cruises and find your ideal New Zealand cruise itinerary for visiting this remarkable island country.