Attractions & Activities
Auckland has a huge range of attractions, from the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere to up-close encounters with penguins and sharks. Ride the roller coasters, soak in the thermal hot pools, join a food and wine tour or find Auckland’s most scenic spots.

Land activities
Enjoy a round of golf, quad bike through the forest, go horse riding along the beach or canyoning down waterfalls. Zoom around on a Harley, leap off the Sky Tower or climb the Harbour Bridge for spectacular views. 

Water activities
Auckland is surrounded by water so get out and make the most of it. Cruise the beautiful Hauraki Gulf, sail an ex-America’s Cup yacht, go snorkeling with the fishes, jet around the Waitemata Harbour or go whale and dolphin spotting.

Explore Auckland by air
Auckland is stunning from above, so grab your goggles and take to the skies. Take a scenic flight, go hang gliding, charter a helicopter to Waiheke Island or get an adrenaline hit on a high speed aerobatic flight.

Wildlife encounters
Go diving or snorkelling in marine reserves or see the huge gannet colony at Muriwai. Enjoy superb birdwatching in beautiful native forest, visit an island wildlife sanctuary or get up close to dolphins and whales.

Wineries
Auckland is encircled by four wine regions – Matakana, Kumeu, Clevedon Hills and Waiheke Island – so a visit to some of Auckland’s wineries is a must. Enjoy wine tastings, delicious food and gorgeous scenery. Hop on a tour or enjoy at your own pace.

Tours in Auckland
Tours are a great way to see Auckland. Choose from five-star coach tours, fun backpacker or budget bus tours, personal guides or luxury limousine rides. See the main attractions or join a special interest tour, from walking to wine. 

Immerse yourself in Auckland’s art, Maori culture and history. Browse local galleries, stroll through wine and sculpture parks and experience a cultural performance or guided tour – there are lots of ways to discover Auckland culture.

Galleries
Visit one of Auckland’s many galleries showcasing art, sculpture, traditional carvings and much more. You’ll find an exceptional collection of traditional and contemporary art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, with more than 15,000 works from New Zealand and international artists.

Auckland Beaches
From wild black-sand surf beaches to sheltered golden bays, there are thousands of beaches throughout the greater Auckland region. Whether you want to just unwind and soak up the views or enjoy some of the many activities on and off the water, you’re spoiled for choice.

Find a picnic spot in a secluded cove or take a stroll along one of the wide open beaches that seem to stretch forever. Relax with a book under the shade of a sprawling pohutukawa tree, or go swimming, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling or diving. There’s lots to do on the shore too – have a family barbecue, throw a ball around, explore one of the nearby walking tracks or even go horse riding.

With so many beaches to choose from, everyone has a favorite – these are just a few of the beautiful beaches waiting to be discovered. If you think you've seen them all, even more remote west coast beaches abound for intrepid explorers.

The people of Auckland
One of the things that makes Auckland so special is our vibrant melting pot of cultures. And with this diversity reflected in our cuisine, festivals, art and music, your experience here becomes all the more exciting.

From the first Maori waka (canoes) and colonial ships, Auckland has attracted people of many cultures from far and wide.

By the 1890s, the city had a cosmopolitan flavour, with dozens of languages heard in the bustling streets and new inhabitants from Europe, China and India. This theme continued throughout the 20th century, particularly in the 1950s when the population was boosted by the post World War II 'baby boom'.

Many European immigrants were attracted from countries such as Hungary, Holland and Yugoslavia, bringing Auckland even more diversity and its first proper restaurants. Many rural people relocated to seek work in the 'bright lights' of the city, and large numbers of rural Maori migrated to Auckland. They were followed by migrant workers from the Pacific Islands, peaking in the 1960s.

Today, Auckland is the world's largest Polynesian city and one of the great cities of the Pacific. Aucklanders come from all corners of the world – around 56% of its residents are of European descent, 11% are Maori, 13% are of Pacific Island descent and there is a growing Asian population of around.

Maori cultural experiences in Auckland

The Auckland region is full of magical stories both ancient and modern and it’s easy for visitors to discover Auckland’s rich Maori culture.

See the amazing collection of Maori taonga (treasures) at the Auckland museum and catch one of the daily cultural performances. Take a walking tour of Auckland’s volcanoes with a guide from the local iwi (tribe) to see remnants of old fortified terraced villages, or visit Te Hana Te Ao Marama, an incredible fortified pa and 17th century Maori village replica. Take quided biking tour or visit a winery full of cultural humour and stories. Sail the harbour on a traditional sailing waka and discover the stories and courage of the Polynesian people’s epic migration to Aotearoa/New Zealand at Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum.

With so many events in Auckland there's never a dull moment - from major sports matches and cultural festivals to international stage shows, there's something for everyone.

January - ASB Auckland Seafood Festival

The Auckland Seafood Festival was created eight years ago to celebrate Auckland Anniversary weekend and New Zealand seafood. The event has always been a community project with all profits returned to charity. The Festival has grown considerably with new sponsors and stallholders involved each year. This three-day extravaganza of New Zealand seafood, musical acts, live cooking demonstrations and competitions is set on Halsey Wharf, Wynyard Quarter, a working port right in the centre of Auckland's fishing industry.

January - St Jerome’s Laneway Festival

Auckland’s favourite alternative music festival held at the impressive urban playground of Silo Park, St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival is about leading new and revered seminal music. The festival has always been interested in finding what's fresh and bringing it to unique settings and surrounds to be appreciated by music lovers. The size of the festival, the locations and the way we encourage community all form part of the way in which the Laneway team strive to present a live music experience like no other.

January/February - Headland Sculpture on the Gulf

Headland Sculpture on the Gulf is New Zealand’s leading contemporary outdoor sculpture exhibition set on a spectacular coastal walkway on Waiheke Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. The 2.5km coastal walk holds around thirty new large-scale sculptures from established and emerging artists. Art, food, wine and music on beautiful Waiheke Island, what better mix could there be?

February - Auckland Lantern Festival

Be enchanted - immerse yourself in the magic of the Auckland Lantern Festival in two stunning venues, each showcasing the diversity of Chinese culture. Auckland Lantern Festival is one of our city’s favourite cultural events and in 2014 will celebrate its 15th year. Highlights for the 2014 festival include a lantern-only night on Thursday 13 February for those who want to enjoy the hand-crafted decorations in a more relaxed environment, outdoor movies by the waterfront, three evenings of main stage performance, including martial arts, dance and live music and a spectacular fireworks finale from the Sky Tower on Sunday evening.

February - Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines

New Zealand’s biggest summer event, the NRL Auckland Nines is a two-day, nine-a-side, knockout tournament showcasing the world’s greatest rugby league talent live in Auckland. Witness all 16 NRL clubs and more than 288 star players competing over one stunning weekend to win their share of over NZ$2.6 million prize money. The games are shorter, the gaps on the field are wider and the action will be faster! The atmosphere inside the 48,000-capacity Eden Park will be unmatched anywhere!

February - Auckland Pride Festival

The Auckland Pride Festival 2014 runs for two weeks/three weekends, from Friday 7 February until Sunday 23 February, right across the Auckland region. A celebration of Rainbow Community culture and identity, the inaugural 2013 festival included a diverse array of local and international theatre and cabaret, music, visual arts exhibitions and installations, film, literature, debates and discussions, drag and burlesque, historical walks and tours, workshops, sports and recreation, food, gardening, pageants, parties and social events. While most Auckland Pride Festival activity centres on Ponsonby and Karangahape Roads, the festival’s events also spread out to West Auckland, South Auckland and into the Hauraki Gulf.

February - Takapuna Beach Cup

The Takapuna Beach Cup is New Zealand's Premier 3-Day Outrigger & Paddle Festival. The event is run from one of Auckland's best beaches, Takapuna Beach. Racing takes place on the Hauraki Gulf which offers paddlers clean waters, stunning views and a chance to paddle around one of New Zealand's iconic extinct volcanoes, Rangitoto. We offer paddlers 3 full days of paddling and with 7 different races to choose from, it's guaranteed to be a fantastic paddling experience.

March - Pasifika Festival Auckland

The world’s largest Pacific festival with traditional and contemporary entertainment, festive flavours and vibrant stalls. Pasifika Festival 2014 will be made up of 11 unique villages that showcase the cultures of 11 Pacific Island nations – Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu and Aotearoa – as well as shared Pan-Pacific areas made up of stalls retailing products from a variety of Pacific Islands. Pasifika Festival began in 1992, and has grown into one of Auckland’s biggest cultural events, celebrating its 21st birthday this year.

March - Round the Bays

Ports of Auckland Round the Bays has been an annual event in Auckland since 1972, initiated by the Auckland Joggers Club. The first run attracted 1200 participants and has now grown to be one of the world's largest fun-runs with almost 40,000 registered runners. Round the Bays is an 8.4km course from the Auckland CBD to St Heliers Bay. The start is located at Quay St and the course continues along Auckland’s Waitemata harbour and to a spectacular finish along St Heliers Bay.

March - The Partners Life DUAL Motutapu - Rangitoto Traverse

This sporting event is staged on one of the most scenic landscapes in New Zealand - the Hauraki Gulf islands of Motutapu and Rangitoto. The Partners Life DUAL is a participant event offering trail run and walk, off-road triathlon and mountain bike options and is produced and managed by sports event management company Total Sport. The Partners Life DUAL is a once a year opportunity. At no other time throughout the year will people be able to participate in an event of this nature, and at no other time are mountain bikes allowed to be taken over to the island and ridden.

March - Auckland Cup Week

New Zealand’s most glamorous sporting event will showcase the ultimate in thoroughbred racing, fashion and entertainment. Three race days including TV3 Derby Day, Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day and Diamond Day showcase a range of races and fashion competitions. Each race day has a variety of options for tickets, including a relaxed atmosphere on the grass, the great view from the stands or the luxurious “Champagne Lawn”. Find out more March - Auckland Arts Festival March - Auckland Arts Festival The globally-recognised Auckland Arts Festival celebrates people and culture, and showcases the cultural diversity and vibrant energy of New Zealand's largest city. Every March, Auckland is transformed as the 19-day festival brings an explosion of theatre, music, cabaret, dance and visual arts from New Zealand and around the world.

April/May - NZ International Comedy Festival

Held over 3 weeks, a showcase of performances by top local and international comedians. Everything from big name international headline acts to comedy competition winners, there’s something for every taste and style of humour at this annual festival.

May - Auckland Writers Festival

The Auckland Writers Festival was born of a desire to celebrate and promote literacy, reading, writing and ideas in Auckland. A community of writers, booksellers, publishers and avid readers invested grass roots enthusiasm into what has become an eagerly anticipated annual event. Over twelve years, more than 180,000 people have attended the festival, which acts as matchmaker and taste influencer, bringing a writer “out” of the shelf for their readers and creating a lifelong relationship between writers and readers, writers and writers, and readers and readers.

July - August - New Zealand International Film Festival

The New Zealand International Film Festival is a national event extending the cinematic options of audiences and filmmakers throughout New Zealand. A programme of between 150-170 features is presented in Auckland and is operated by the New Zealand Film Festival Trust, a non-profit, registered charitable trust.

August - Restaurant Month

Indulge in some of Auckland’s best cuisine during Restaurant Month. Try specially created menus at more than 100 central city restaurants, watch live chef demonstrations, enjoy tastings and talks at the Wine AKL event, and don’t miss the delicious international street food at Street Eats.

September - New Zealand Fashion Week

Held over seven days, New Zealand Fashion week presents a number of fashion shows for well known and up and coming New Zealand designers. For 13 years New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) has showcased the creativity and innovation of our hugely talented local designers. As the only international fashion event in New Zealand, year on year they continue to be one of the country’s most anticipated annual events.

September - Auckland on Water Boat Show

Held in Auckland’s magnificent Viaduct Harbour over four days, this is New Zealand’s largest on-water boat show. The latest boats, engines, electronics and accessories for all things marine. Whatever your on-water interests – sailing, fishing, paddle-boarding, water sports or pleasure cruising – enjoy the opportunity to speak with experts presenting a wide array of marine-oriented products and services.

October - Auckland Diwali Festival

Celebrate the most vibrant Indian festival with food, entertainment, dancing and crafts. Diwali is an important and ancient Indian festival celebrated throughout India and in Indian communities around the world. The two-day Auckland Diwali Festival brings Aucklanders and visitors of all ages and ethnic backgrounds together to celebrate and experience Indian culture in its many exciting forms.

November - Auckland Marathon

This is Auckland's premier road race featuring a marathon, half marathon, 10km road race and 5km walk. The adidas Auckland Marathon and Half Marathon is an annual marathon running race during the Spring in Auckland. The main feature of the event is the crossing of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, which involves a climb of 33 metres to the highest point.

November - ITM 500 Auckland V8 Supercars

Excitement is set to erupt at the ITM 500 Auckland next November as V8 Supercars brings the ultimate sporting rivalry to the racetrack. Australia and New Zealand will go head to head in a passionate action-filled battle which will have the Kiwis eager for domination on home soil at Pukekohe Park Raceway. Don't miss your chance to see one of the world's greatest adrenalin pumping motorsports live in New Zealand. Grab your friends and family and join forces on the battlefield to get your nation across the finish line with a roar.

November - Taste of Auckland

Try a selection of signature dishes from Auckland’s finest restaurants as you stroll through New Zealand’s most glamorous food festival. Learn from our culinary superstars in a series of new master classes and live demonstrations. Soak up the festival atmosphere with a drink in your hand and sample delicious treats from New Zealand’s top producers and celebrity chefs.

November - Farmers Santa Parade

The Auckland Santa Parade features all the amazing pageantry, fun and surprises that have made this annual Auckland City extravaganza a perennial favourite. Heralding the start of the Christmas season, this beloved holiday parade features colourful grand floats representing the cultural diversity of today’s Auckland, lively marching bands, amazing character balloons, plus an appearance by Santa Claus!

December - Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park

A great night of free family entertainment to celebrate Christmas, Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park is one of the biggest, happiest, most magical, musical extravaganzas on the Kiwi Christmas calendar with some of the country’s top singers, dancers, musicians, choirs and bands.

December/January - ASB Classic / Heineken Open

See some of the top male and female tennis players on the planet as Auckland hosts the WTA and ATP Tours. The festival is a celebration of tennis, and the great Kiwi Summer, anchored by two marquee events, the ASB Classic and the Heineken Open.

December/January - Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Races

Two glamorous sporting events showcasing the ultimate in thoroughbred horse racing, fashion and entertainment. Both the Boxing Day Races and the New Years Races showcase a range of races and fashion competitions. Each race day has a variety of options for tickets, including a relaxed atmosphere on the grass, the great view from the stands or the luxurious “Champagne Lawn”.

Auckland City Heritage Walk - Uptown

Exploring uptown Auckland on foot is the best way to appreciate the area’s rich heritage and beautiful historical buildings. The uptown Auckland City Heritage Walk gives you a glimpse into the past – and present – of one of the city’s most historically significant areas. The walk includes a number of beautiful buildings and spaces that are registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Perfect for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts.

Coast to Coast Walkway

There are few places in the world where you can walk from one ocean to a completely different one in just a couple of hours. The Auckland Coast to Coast Walkway is special not just for this unique fact, but that it takes you over such a huge variety of landscapes. You’ll walk through city and suburban streets, urban parks and volcanic cones offering incredible views.

Kitekite Track- Piha

Kitekite Track is a great introduction to the natural beauty of the Waitakere Ranges. With waterfalls, streams, pools and beautiful native bush, this is a great short walk that’s suitable for the whole family. Walk through native plant life including nikau palms, silver tree ferns and regenerated kauri, and hear the call of the Tuis.

Hillary Trail – Waitakere Ranges

The Hillary Trail is a self-guided four day tramp through lush native forest and along the wild coast of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. The trail is named after Sir Edmund Hillary, New Zealand’s most famous mountaineer and explorer, and captures his sense of adventure and introduces you to the joys of overnight camping.

Hunua Falls Upper Lookout Walk

The beautiful Hunua Falls is one of the most popular spots for walkers in the bush-clad Hunua Ranges in Auckland’s east. This walk is a great way to see the Hunua Falls from all angles and enjoy the surrounding forest. It climbs from the Wairoa River below the Falls through beautiful lush forest, along a shady stream to an excellent lookout platform.

Rangitoto Island Summit Walk

Rangitoto Island is the youngest and largest of the 48 volcanic cones scattered across the Auckland region and is home to the world’s largest pohutukawa forest. The shortest and most popular walk on Rangitoto is directly to the summit – the spectacular 360-degree views reach across the Hauraki Gulf and out to the rugged horizons of the Waitakere Ranges in the west and Hunua Ranges in the east. The island is just a 25-minute ferry ride across the harbour and frequent ferries run daily.

Stony Batter Historic Reserve – Waiheke Island

Stony Batter Historic Reserve, at the eastern end of Waiheke Island, is named for its unusual rocky outcrops and is the site of extensive tunnels and gun emplacements dating back to WWII. This short walk combines fascinating history and the beautiful scenery Waiheke Island is famous for. It’s accessible all year round and is perfect for all ages.

North Shore Coastal Walk

The picturesque coastline of Auckland’s North Shore is a magnet for locals and visitors, with its string of sheltered bays and white sandy beaches. The North Shore Coastal Walk begins at Long Bay Regional Park and weaves through the beaches and suburbs of ‘the Shore’ and out to Devonport. The route is accessible at all tides, following cliff top tracks, pedestrian shortcuts, steps and footpaths. You don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy this walk, and you can choose to do the whole trail, or just sections of it, with numerous entry and exit points.

Shakespear Regional Park – Tiri Tiri Track

Explore beautiful Shakespear Regional Park, a captivating combination of native bush, beaches, birdlife and amazing views. Shakespear Regional Park boasts an incredible location, taking up most of the tip of Whangaparaoa Peninsula, which juts out into the Hauraki Gulf. The park is a wildlife sanctuary, with an abundance of birdlife in particular. The picturesque blend of country and coastal landscapes attracts locals and visitors alike and as well as a range of walks, the park is also popular for swimming and picnics in summer.

Tamaki Drive Walk

Walking along Tamaki Drive is one of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of Auckland’s amazing harbour setting. Tamaki Drive curves along the waterfront from downtown Auckland to St Heliers Bay, offering a superb outlook over the sparkling Waitemata Harbour.

Auckland serves up an amazing variety of cuisine from around the world. Choose from thousands of restaurants, cafés, bars and wineries and treat your taste buds. Auckland dining offers everything from fine food and wine to fresh fish and chips.

Visit Auckland Museum to see an impressive range of world-class galleries, interactive displays, visiting exhibitions and the world’s largest collection of M?ori taonga (treasures). Visit the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum to discover how the sea has shaped New Zealand’s history and cultural identity.

Auckland Museum - Tamaki Paenga Hira
Nau Mai Haere Mai - Welcome to Auckland Museum, where exciting stories of New Zealand people, the Pacific, flora, fauna and landforms of our unique islands, are told within a memorial dedicated to those who have sacrificed their lives for our country.

In one of New Zealand's most outstanding historical buildings, boldly situated in the Domain - a central city pleasure garden - you encounter exhibitions that will excite you with the artisitc legacy and cultures of the Pacific people. See the monumental carvings, buildings, canoes and taonga (treasures) of the Maori.

The diversity of cultures which now combine to form the rich tapestry of race, nationality and creed which is modern New Zealand.

New Zealand Maritime Museum
From Kupe and the first Polynesians to arrive in New Zealand, to the discovery and settlement of New Zealand by Europeans, right through to our present day yachting success and the inspirational story of Sir Peter Blake, visit the Museum to discover the stories that have shaped our identity as a seafaring nation.

Along the way you can try your hand at yacht design, relax in a kiwi style bach, hoist the sails, hear the cannon fire, and batten down the hatches in the rocking cabin.

There’s plenty of opportunity to get out on the water too. The Museum’s fully-restored heritage scow Ted Ashby sets sail six days a week taking visitors on a one hour voyage of the harbour with great views of Auckland's skyline and the Harbour Bridge.

Auckland’s incredible natural beauty is famous around the world and a visit to any of Auckland’s regional parks will show you just why.

Whether you’re here on holiday or you live in Auckland and want to go exploring beyond the backyard, you’ll be amazed at just how stunning these treasured lands are.

Stroll across rolling grasslands or trek through dense native rainforest. Take in the views from a rugged clifftop or enjoy a picnic on a golden sand beach. Auckland’s regional parks are the perfect way to discover the diversity and splendour of our landscapes and you can find them in every direction. Here are just some of Auckland’s beautiful regional parks.

Ambury Regional Park
Ambury is a working farm, education centre and bird watcher’s paradise located on the shores of the Manukau Harbour. Beautiful scenery and fascinating history combine at Ambury – the park sits atop ash-covered lava flows and stone mounds mark early Maori gardening sites.

Auckland Botanic Gardens
With over 10,000 plants from around the world, set in different themed spaces among peaceful parklands, the gardens are simply stunning.You’ll see something different every season, from the magnificent magnolia blossoms in spring to autumn’s golden leaves. Learn the secrets of the diverse plant species on a guided walk, or soak up the beauty at your own pace.

Awhitu Regional Park
Nestled in the sheltered eastern side of the magnificent Awhitu Peninsula, the journey here is an experience in itself. Only an hour’s drive from downtown Auckland through lush green countryside, Awhitu Regional Park still remains a hidden gem for many. Stroll the white sand beaches fringed with New Zealand’s distinctive red-flowering pohutukawa trees, discover the rich Maori and European history and explore the walking, mountain biking and horse riding tracks.

Hunua Regional Park
The largest native forest in the Auckland region, this park is full of natural wonders, native wildlife, gushing waterfalls and tranquil streams. Less than an hour’s drive from the city centre, Hunua Regional Park covers some 400 square kilometres along the south eastern side of the Auckland region and the pristine forest is home to more than 450 species of native plants.

Long Bay Regional Park
People of all ages flock here for the white sand beaches, beautiful views and expansive grass areas to relax or play on. Long Bay Regional Park is popular year round, with sunny days in the warmer months drawing visitors from all over.

Shaekspear Regional Park
Shakespear is a remarkable combination of beautiful beaches, pristine native bush, pastureland and wildlife – a nature lover’s paradise. Covering most of the tip of the stunning Whangaparaoa Peninsula, jutting out into the Hauraki Gulf, the landscapes and views here make it one of Auckland’s most popular regional parks.

Tapapakanga Regional Park
Country meets coast at gorgeous Tapapakanga, with a dash of Maori and European history. Tapapakanga is a working coastal farm as well as a regional park – one minute you’ll see rare coastal birds and the next you could be walking past farm animals.

Tawharanui Regional Park
Tawharanui is a place to see the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty – a place you have to see for yourself. Set on a remote peninsula about 80 minutes drive north of Auckland, Tawharanui is a blend of white sand beaches, rolling pastures, shingled bays, native coastal forest and regenerating wetlands. As well as these diverse landscapes, there’s a huge range of things to do.

Waitakere Ranges Regional Park
This stunning region includes more than 16,000 hectares of native rainforest and coastline and some of Auckland’s most visited natural treasures. The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park is a place where pristine bush, thriving native wildlife and rugged black sand surf beaches come together. The ‘wild west’ feels like another world away, but is only 40 minutes from the city centre.

Central Auckland
World-class shopping, buzzing waterfront precincts lined with restaurants, a vibrant arts and culture scene and harbour adventures right on your doorstep.

Hauraki Gulf and Islands
Discover tranquil islands lined with golden-sand beaches, sip on fine wine on the ‘island of wine’, or go kayaking, sailing or dolphin spotting.

North Auckland
Head north and discover the ultimate laid-back lifestyle, where great food and wine is always close at hand and the sea is your constant companion.

West Auckland
Journey into a region of natural wonders. Walk through untouched native rainforest, experience the rugged beauty of the wild west coast beaches and visit Auckland’s oldest wine region.

East Auckland
Discover the east’s sparkling blue waters, white-sand beaches, rolling countryside, boutique wineries and the largest native forest in the Auckland region.

South Auckland
Auckland’s south is a melting pot of cultures from around the world, a place where history, adventure and beautiful landscapes combine.

Auckland’s melting pot of cultures means you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants. Dine on Pacific-Rim cuisine and fresh seafood, get fancy with French, indulge in Italian or enjoy flavour-filled Asian, Middle Eastern and Indian dishes. 

Shop at fabulous fashion boutiques for top international labels and New Zealand designers, browse the high street stores or visit one of the city’s numerous malls. Head to local farmers’ markets to pick up fresh produce and gourmet goodies. 

High Street and Chancery
Shopping in Central Auckland
When visiting Auckland, be sure to check out the Chancery and High Street in Auckland's CBD, near the Art Gallery and Albert Park. Wander the sunny, cobblestone plaza at Chancery between the high fashion boutiques and delicious eateries. Explore High Street’s stylish local and international boutique and designer stores, and take time out at one of the fashionable bars and cafés.

Queen Street
Shopping in Central Auckland
The main street running through Auckland’s CBD is home to hundreds of stores, from luxury retailers through to New Zealand chain stores and international brands. Shop for the latest fashions, sporting gear, electronics, souvenirs, books and almost anything else you’re looking for. You’ll also find metro supermarkets and Auckland’s premier department store, Smith & Caughey’s.

Devonport
Shopping in North Auckland
Head to Devonport by car or ferry for a range of unique stores, including gift shops, book stores, art and crafts, toy shops, jewelery, antiques and more. Most stores are independent and locally owned, so you’re bound to find something special for yourself or great gifts for loved ones. This picturesque seaside village is perfect for a leisurely stroll and also has a number of galleries, cafés and beautiful Victorian buildings. Make sure you try the famous chocolate shop or wander along the waterfront with a delicious ice cream for stunning views back to the city.

Takapuna
Shopping in North Auckland
With more than 400 shops, Takapuna is one of the main shopping areas of Auckland’s North Shore and is just a 10-15 minute drive from the city centre. Wander the main street for designer boutiques, an upmarket department store, gift shops and popular cafés, or head to the mall for a range of well-known retail chains. Visit the Takapuna Markets on a Sunday before noon and pick up fresh produce, specialty foods and bargains. Beautiful Takapuna Beach lies only one block back from the main shopping strip and the area also has a number of great restaurants, cafés and bars, and a cinema complex.

Britomart Precinct
Shopping in Central Auckland
The historic Britomart precinct on Auckland’s waterfront is home to some of the city’s best shopping. It’s an inviting network of streets, lanes and open spaces where you can explore and shop at your leisure, browsing Britomart’s treasure trove of fashion, homewares, gift and specialty stores. The precinct’s beautiful heritage buildings house a collection of quirky fashion boutiques, stocking some of the world’s most exciting and cutting-edge designers as well as the best of fresh and established local design talent.

Ponsonby
Shopping in Central Auckland
One of Auckland’s hippest strips; Ponsonby Road is packed with funky fashion stores intertwined with chic cafes, bars and restaurants.

Parnell
Shopping in Central Auckland
Famed for its boutique style stores, art galleries, cafes and restaurants, Parnell, as Auckland’s oldest suburb, radiates charm, character and ambience.

Newmarket
Shopping in Central Auckland
Glitz and glamour of top designer stores overflowing with international and local labels give Newmarket its status as the fashion capital of New Zealand. Surrounded by elegant eateries and brilliant home-ware stores, Newmarket has it all.

Karangahape Road - K’ Road
Shopping in Central Auckland
From the ordinary to the extraordinary, diversity is the stand-out feature on what is perhaps New Zealand’s most famous road. In this quirky precinct, high fashion sits comfortably alongside retro and street-wear stores, meaning a fun shopping experience for all. Culture and colour is everywhere on K’ Road.