Auckland Things To Do

Housed in a beautiful neo-classical building since 1929, the museum’s fascinating collection includes an extensive Maori section featuring intricately carved buildings and war canoes.

A trip up Auckland's largest volcano unlocks expansive views of the entire city. The carved terraces of a pre-colonial Maori hill-fort are easily distinguished.

Spot kiwi birds in their specially designed nocturnal habitat in this large, modern zoo – along with a huge variety of fauna from New Zealand and afar.

It ain't the Louvre, but Auckland's public gallery has a fascinating collection of 19th-century portraits of tattooed Maori elders alongside contemporary New Zealand pieces.

Auckland is known as the City of Sails and its picturesque gulf offers dozens of islands to explore. Cruises range from a 45-minute group sail ($48) to lavish private day trips ($1,050 for two).

A 35-minute ferry journey from central Auckland will get you to Rangitoto, Auckland's youngest volcano (600-700 years old). A walk up its symmetrical scoria-covered slopes provides excellent views of the city and North Shore.