Top 25 Auckland Attractions, New Zealand

The pearl of Oceania - New Zealand's Auckland - is one of the world's top ten cities for living in terms of ecology and convenience. It is called the City of Volcanoes and Sailboats. In its vicinity there are 48 extinct volcanoes, 3 bays, more than 50 islands. And the uniqueness of the city lies in the fact that it has access to two seas. On the one hand, its coast is washed by the Tasman Sea, on the other - by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Auckland cannot boast of a large number of historical and architectural monuments. But on the other hand, it has several modern man-made attractions. The tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere is the Sky Tower. The largest stadium in the country is Eden Park. One of the longest viewing tunnels in the world is Underwater World at the Kelly Tarleton Aquarium.

What to see and where to go in Auckland?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

queen street

The main life artery of Auckland, where you can fully experience its atmosphere and multinational flavor. All roads lead here. The street is named after Queen Victoria. Here are the offices of the largest banks and corporations, elite shopping centers, hotels, numerous restaurants and coffee houses, souvenir shops. Lots of street musicians. On national holidays, traffic is blocked. Queen Street leads to the waterfront and the port.

Viaduct Harbor

Beautiful coastal harbor with luxury yachts and pleasure boats. On one of them you can go on a cruise along the bay. The port is located near the business center of Auckland, has 150 berths for ships. This is a popular tourist area. There are many entertainment venues, small bars and restaurants offering signature seafood dishes on the waterfront. Various festivals are often held here. And also in this area is the famous Maritime Museum.

sky tower

The height of the telecommunications tower dominating the entire city is 328 meters. Was built in 1997. It is the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere. It has 3 glass elevators, 3 circular viewing platforms, the main of which, with a glass floor, is located at a height of 186 meters. There are 2 restaurants at the top of the tower, one of them rotates 360°. For the most daring, extreme entertainment is offered - jumping from the top platform of the tower 192 meters high.

Mount Eden

The highest extinct volcano in the city. It erupted for the last time quite a long time ago - 28 thousand years ago. The bowl-shaped huge crater at the top has a depth of 50 meters. Best viewpoint in Auckland. On the slopes there are villas, museums, a prison of the same name in the form of a castle, as well as one of the largest stadiums in the country. The height of the mountain is 196 meters. Until 2006, tourist buses went to the top, now you can only go up on foot.

One tree's hill

This is the name of a long-extinct volcano, on which a lone tree once grew. Its last eruption was almost 30 thousand years ago. The height of the hill is 182 meters. At its foot there are two parks. At the top there is an obelisk with a statue of a Maori warrior. Beneath it is the grave of the famous public figure and businessman John Logan Campbell. One of the parks - Cornwall - his gift to the inhabitants of the city.

Auckland Museum

Numerous museum exhibitions are dedicated to historical periods and events that were important for the city and the country as a whole. Collections of dishes, jewelry, weapons, models of dwellings are presented in expositions that tell about the indigenous people of New Zealand. There are exhibitions dedicated to the colonial period and the legendary military history of the country. The museum is located in a 3-storey monumental building erected on top of an extinct volcano in 1929.

Auckland Zoo

The opening took place in 1922. Located near the center. 138 species of animals live on 17 hectares of land. The entire territory is divided into zones according to the region of origin of species. For example, "Elephant Wash", "Rainforest", "Pride Land", "Hippo River", "Australian Walk" and others. For younger visitors, a children's area is open. The attraction of the zoo is 6 artificial installations of animal habitats, which can only be seen in New Zealand.

"The Underwater World of Kelly Tarleton"

A fascinating oceanarium with transparent acrylic tunnels, numerous aquariums, artificial underwater caves and reefs. It was established in 1985 on the coast of Freemans Bay, in the suburbs of Auckland. Contains 5 zones: "Stingray Bay", children's "Interactive Room", "Sea Creatures", "Clash with Antarctica" - the patrimony of penguins. And the most important object is a 110-meter tunnel with a moving conveyor belt, which is inhabited by 2,000 marine life.

Toi-o-Tamaki Art Gallery

The date of foundation of the first gallery in the country is 1888. The collection is based on unique books, manuscripts and paintings donated to the museum by Governor George Gray. Today, the funds contain more than 12 thousand exhibits. These are the best canvases of New Zealand and European masters of painting and graphics. Classical and contemporary works are presented. The gallery hosts various cultural events and temporary exhibitions. There is a souvenir shop and a cafe in the building.

Maritime Museum of New Zealand

Dedicated to the maritime history of the country. A large period of time is covered, from the first Polynesian settlers to modern yachtsmen who win victories in regional and world regattas. Collections are presented on the theme of maritime trade, whaling, water rescue, navigation. The museum exhibits several old sailing ships that are still on the move. There is also a small gallery with canvases by New Zealand marine painters.

Museum of Transport and Technology

Interesting museum with interesting exhibits. It was opened in 1964. Located in the Western Springs area. It consists of two parts, between which the tram runs. The museum displays collections of historical locomotives and wagons, trams, cars, buses, road military equipment, police cars and motorcycles, electrical equipment, etc. Military, civil and sports aircraft are located in the aviation hall.

City theater

The opening took place in 1929. After a renovation in 1999, the original design was restored. The foyer is made in the Indian style, contains statues of seated Buddhas, columns and domed ceilings. The auditorium resembles Moorish gardens with minarets, towers, statues of panthers. Designed for 2380 people. It is an example of an atmospheric theatrical style, in which lighting and interior design give rise to the illusion of a night sky with stars.

Pop-up Globe

The theater opened in 2016. This is a slightly reduced copy of the famous Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, which existed in London at the beginning of the 17th century and was restored in 1997. Viewers have the opportunity to see performances of Shakespeare's most famous plays here. The structure has the shape of a 16-sided polygon, without a roof. Near the stage there is a "courtyard" with standing places for 300 spectators, it is surrounded by three tiers of galleries with 600 seats.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Built in the middle of the 19th century. Located in the city center, near the Sky Tower. Liston House was completed in the 1960s. The first floor is for parishioners and social services. The clergy live on the second. The pearl of the Catholic Cathedral is the Bell Tower. It has two of the oldest bells in the country. Since 1980 they have been controlled by an automated system. You can also listen to the organ in the cathedral.

Auckland City Hall

Neo-baroque building in the city center, on Queen Street. It was built in 1911 from two types of stone - dark volcanic basalt and light limestone. In the 90s, a serious reconstruction was carried out. It is famous for the Big Concert Hall for 1500 spectators, with excellent acoustics, where rock performers like to perform. And also here is the largest organ in the country, dating back to 1911. There is another hall in the town hall - the Chamber Hall, designed for 430 people.

Auckland Harbor Bridge

The majestic bridge across Waitemata Bay was built in 1954-59. Connects the city center with the northern part. Length - 1150 meters. The main span, between the two columns, is 244 meters, the height at this point is 43 meters. Initially, the bridge consisted of 4 car lanes, after 20 years 2 lanes were added in each direction. But due to the additional load, cracks appeared in the structure. Repairs were carried out, and the movement of trucks was subsequently banned.

Eden Park

This is the name of the largest stadium in the country with a capacity of 50,000 spectators. The main field of New Zealand for playing rugby - the most popular sport among the local population. In 2011, this stadium hosted the Rugby World Cup games. The number of seats was then increased to 60,000. And in 2015, the Cricket World Cup games were held here. The stadium also hosts matches in other sports - football and one of the varieties of rugby - rugby league.

Spark Arena

One of the most popular venues in New Zealand for large-scale cultural, entertainment and sports events. Opened in 2007. Capacity - 12 thousand spectators. Until 2017, it was called the Vector Arena. It hosts concerts of world stars performing in various musical genres. The Arena also provides its territory for competitions in netball, wrestling, ice hockey, basketball, BMX bicycle motocross and other sports.

Cornwall park

A favorite recreation area for locals. It is famous for its rural landscapes that convey all the charm of New Zealand nature. Lots of lush greenery, flower beds, sprawling trees, lawns where sheep and cows graze freely. There are rugby fields, tennis courts, cricket grounds, gazebos and barbecue facilities. The park is located on the slopes of One Tree Hill. It was founded at the beginning of the last century by John Logan Campbell, who transferred his former farm to the city.

Oakland Domain Park

Recreational area at the foot of an extinct volcano. It borders Cornwall Park, but was founded earlier - in the middle of the 19th century. Once there was a botanical garden, glass greenhouses with rare tropical plants have been preserved since that time. There are many trees, original flower beds, marble statues and pavilions in the park. There is a pond with ducks, sports grounds. It also houses the War Memorial Museum.

albert park

One of the oldest parks in Auckland. It was opened in the 19th century. Located on a volcanic hill in the city center. Some giant trees with spreading crowns have survived from the moment they were laid. There are several interesting objects in the park. Among them are an ancient cast-iron fountain with beautiful figures, a clock-shaped flower garden, statues of Queen Victoria and Governor George Grey, a memorial in honor of the Anglo-Boer battle, a clock museum, etc.

Waitaker Ranges

The vast territory of the regional park on the coast of the Tasman Sea combines several landscape zones. Mountains, hills and canyons, jungles with waterfalls, a grove of flowering pohutukawa trees, thickets of the most ancient coniferous trees - kauri, wild beaches with yellow and gray sand. Visitors are offered cycling and horseback riding, hiking along the hiking trails with a total length of 250 km, extreme jumping into a waterfall, fishing and beach recreation.

Rangitoto Island

. The last eruption was relatively recent - about 700 years ago. Separate areas are still under the black lava. The rich vegetation is of particular value. There are 200 species of trees, 40 species of ferns, several species of orchids. Here is the world's largest forest area pohutukawa - an evergreen spherical tree with red flowers.

Tiritiri Matangi

An island in Hauraki Bay, 30 km from Auckland. You can get there by ferry. The wildlife sanctuary is part of the marine park. Area - 220 hectares. The main attraction is a variety of birds, of which there are a huge number, and they are very trusting and sociable. There are rare species, such as the flightless takahe. Reptiles also live on the island, only here you can see the tuatara - the only representative of the ancient beakheads.

Takapuna beach

Located on the North Shore of Auckland, in the area of ​​the same name. This is a small, “privileged” area of ​​the city, which has just begun to be built up. The beach is sandy, not crowded, clean and well-maintained. Popular with locals. There is parking, cafes, restaurants, picnic areas, tables with benches. Great place for water sports. Suitable for families with children, there is a playground.