The best of
Auckland. Ranked.

Just 45 minutes from the CBD, Te Henga is a long, prehistoric-feeling black-sand beach with caves, cliffs and forested headlands. Walk to a pair of inland lakes and giant sand dunes, or swim between the flags on summer weekends.

A 40-minute Fullers360 ferry from downtown drops you on one of the Hauraki Gulf's biggest islands — white-sand beaches, coastal walks, more than 25 vineyards and a cluster of cafés, restaurants and galleries. Hop-on hop-off buses, e-bikes and zipline tours make exploring easy.

Weekend farmers' markets fill the city with fresh produce and ready-to-eat eats. Try City Farmers' Market at Britomart on Saturdays, the Parnell Markets, or head north to the much-loved Matakana Village Farmers' Market. After dark, suburban night markets bring street food, music and entertainment.

Free general entry to a collection of more than 17,000 historic, modern and contemporary works — strong on Māori and Pacific artists. The Creative Learning Centre keeps kids busy, and the on-site café looks out over Albert Park.

Taonga, artefacts and immersive live experiences telling the story of Aotearoa, the Pacific and beyond. Don't miss the daily Māori cultural performances, the war memorial floor and the family-friendly Weird and Wonderful gallery.

Home to 1,400 animals across 135 species and a leader in conservation since 1922. Upgrade to a behind-the-scenes encounter to step inside an enclosure with a keeper — small group sizes and complimentary photos included.

From luxury at Commercial Bay and Britomart to Ponsonby Road's local designers, Sylvia Park's mega-mall scale and Newmarket's Westfield, Auckland's shopping spans every taste and budget.

A sophisticated, multicultural food scene fed by fresh local produce. Try fine dining and harbourside seafood at the Viaduct and North Wharf, neighbourhood favourites in Ponsonby, Kingsland and Parnell, plus cellar doors in Matakana and Kumeu wine country.

Auckland isn't called the City of Sails for nothing. Catch a Fullers360 fast ferry to Rangitoto's volcanic cone, the bird sanctuary of Tiritiri Matangi or wild Great Barrier — or jump on a fishing charter for snapper, kingfish and kahawai across the 4,000 km² marine park.

Ride to the observation decks of the Southern Hemisphere's tallest free-standing structure for 360° views, then — if you dare — walk the open-air SkyWalk pergola or take the 192-metre SkyJump base-wire fall straight down the side of the tower.

Walk through curved underwater tunnels surrounded by sharks and stingrays, meet New Zealand's only Sub-Antarctic penguin colony in the Antarctic Ice Adventure, and — for the brave — snorkel with sharks. Just 10 minutes from the CBD on the waterfront.

Climb the Auckland Harbour Bridge on guided walkways for a 360° view of the city and gulf, or leap from the Bungy Pod slung beneath it — the only bungy in NZ where you can dip your head in the harbour below. Run by the world's most experienced bungy company.

An intimate, New York-style underground cocktail bar beneath Britomart where you don't order from a menu — you tell the bartenders what flavours you love and they build a drink for you. Live jazz on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights; just 50 seats.