Auckland Things to Do Tips by Robdaz

Take the ferry from the Ferry building on Quay St, Downtown across to Devonport. That way you enjoy a Harbour cruise without having to pay extra. There is a number of nice cafe to relax and enjoy the small town atmosphere. Make sure you go up MT Victoria
(15mins walk from Devonport) and North Head(25mins walk relaxing walk) for fanstastic panaromic view of Auckland City and the harbour. There is also a very good fish and chips shop on the main street Devonport across from the park next to the hotel.

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Address: North Shore of the City.
Directions: Across harbour bridge or by ferry.

Another great view from North Head Devonport of the Hauraki Gulf.

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Address: 15 mins from Devonport. Follow the walk across the
Directions: Across harbour bridge or by ferry to Devonport

Another great view from North Head towards Devonport , the Waitemata Harbour and the City.

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Address: 15 mins from Devonport. Follow the walk across the
Directions: Across harbour bridge or by ferry to Devonport

Personally I don't think this is a must see ( reason their are a number of volcanic peaks dotted around the city where you can get panoromic view ) but I know their are some VTers who enjoyed getting an aerial view of a city before they venture out and about.

What is unique about this tower is that you can jump off it if your are willing pay the fee but I will say save it for Queenstown.

I took my sister and mum up there sometime ago when they were visiting from Malaysia. You want to see the views check up my View from Sky tower page. It might help you make up your mind.

One tip, only go there on a nice sunny clear day so you can enjoy the view. There is also a resataurent up there to enjoy dinner and the sunset.

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Phone: 09 - 363 6000
Address: Cnr Federal & Victoria Streets, Auckland.
Website: http://www.skycity.co.nz

Defintiely worth a visits for some nice panaromic views if the city and Manuaku harbour. Read my related travelogue.

Cornwall Park is where some locals like to spent their weekend relaxing in the Park , walking their dogs, jogging and playing ball with their kids.There is also a nice cafe and ice cream shop in the park. You can also see sheeps and cows grazing on the slopes of One Tree Hill.

Passed Cornwall Park you can drive up One trip hill of the surrounding area and Manukau Harbour.

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Auckland Museum has one of the best displayed of Maori artifacts and the many races that inhabit New Zealand. It will give you a good insight into New Zealand and its peoples.

There is also a daily Maori cultural performances

It is open daily from 10am – 5pm.

Admission by donation, $5 per adult is suggested, children are free.

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Phone: 09 306 - 7067
Address: Auckland Domain, Parnell, Auckland.
Website: http://www.akmuseum.org.nz

This is one of the major tourist stop in the city.

Personally I don't enjoyed Aquarium that much and find the displayed not very exciting compared to other major city Aquariums . The entrance to the place is not exactly exciting as most of it is underground.

However there is a section where you can see colonies of Penguins play in real ice and snow, swim and plunge beneath the ice cap while riding in a snow vehicle.

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Phone: 0800 - 805 050 toll free
Address: 23 Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Auckland.
Website: http://kellytarltons.co.nz

On the way to Mission Bay you will drive along Tamaki Drive. The Drive will give you a great view of the Harbour , Rongitoto Island and the city , looking back.This is a great place to walk , jog , cycle or rollerblade. You can rent this from the vendor on the side of the road.

Mission Bay has a nice stretch of sandy beach and grass reserve where you can relax and enjoyed the views. Mission Bay is one of the most popular beach in Auckland due to it's location near the city and the row of cafes, restaurants and pubs across the road offering a enticing blend of foods ranging from Thai to Italian. If you are on a budget, grab some fish and chips from The Fish Pot or a cool ice-cream, relax on the lawn and watch people enjoying themselves on a fine day playing soccer, touch rudby or cricket.

This is a great place to spent a relaxing evening with friends over dinner and drinks.

Warning; It can get pretty crowded on the weekend and finding a parking can be a nightmare especially during the weekend.

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Address: Tamaki Drive , Auckland.
Directions: From downtown , follow Quay Street east along the shoreline all the way to Mission Bay.
Website: www.missionbay.co.nz

I have been to a few Zoos and I must say this is at the bottom of the my list. Although I have been here a few times mainly for my daughter. So not a must see in Auckland unless you are with a group of kiddies.

The unique feature of the Zoo is showcase of the African plains with Pridelands. You can watch the giraffe and see zebra, rhino and springbok quietly grazing. There is also a unique showcase of NZ's coastal habitat where can little blue penguins, sealions and shore birds.

Just next to the Park to the right is Western Springs Park. There is a very good children playground and facilty under shady trees where you can spent a relaxing day.

There is also a lot of white and blacks swans here, ducks, goose and pukekos. ( you can see pics of this blue pukekos in my intro page)

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Phone: 09 - 360 3819
Address: Motions Rd, Western Springs, Auckland.
Website: http://aucklandzoo.co.nz

This is the only place that I know in Auckland where they offer daily sheep and dog show that are world famous in Rotorua.

You get to experience NZ country-style attractions and kids will enjoyed feeding the farm animals.

Again , not a must see but a good stop on the way to Bay of Islands in the north.

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Phone: 64 9 425 7444
Address: 4 Kilometres North of Warkworth
Directions: 65 Kilometres North of Auckland on State Highway One (SH1).

Open everyday 9am - 5pm.
Website: www.sheepworldfarm.co.nz