8 Amazing Places to Watch the Sunrise in Auckland

A sunrise in Auckland can be an incredibly dynamic setting, from viewing a sunrise from across the harbour and catching golden hour drench the city in a cloak of orange, or choosing a beachfront location where you feel like the only person on earth for a short moment. Auckland is more well known for its restaurants, bars and shopping, but an Aucklanders best kept secret is the pockets of serenity squeezed between bustling neighbourhood.

From the views across Mt Victoria in Devonport, to the best Auckland sunrise Instagram spots on Mt Eden. Auckland is an adventure seekers playground if you’re willing to look beyond the doors of the nearest retail shops.

I have lived in Auckland for over 30 years and am still yet to experience every angle of a sunrise in Auckland. Grab yourself a blanket and your camera and indulge in this list of the most beautiful sunrise locations in Auckland.

Best Time to Visit Auckland

• Summer (Dec – Feb) Hot, more crowds, perfect for swimming or water based activities.
• Autumn (Mar – May) Mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Still nice for swimming in the middle of the day.
• Winter (June – Aug) Cold, wet and rainy. The native bush will be very green and lush and the bird life extremely active hunting for food on the forest floor.
• Spring (Sept – Nov) Mild temperatures, warm during the day. Fewer crowds than summer.

Auckland Sunrise Photography Tips

Sunset photography takes a fair bit of planning, so follow these tips to make sure you have the best chance at making the most of these amazing Auckland sunrise Instagram spots.

• Check the weather forecast; a clear sky is best but a little bit of cloud is okay – it can add some incredible dynamic to a photo
• Get to your location AT LEAST an hour before sunset.
• Golden hour appears shortly before sunset, this is the crucial time for sunset photography
• Invest in a tripod and shutter release remote for long exposures (if using a camera)
• Bring a friend, I always place a ‘subject’ in the photo to have another point of interest or allow the landscape some perspective.

Mt Eden

One of the best sunrise spots in Auckland is Mount Eden, this centrally located volcanic crater is a prime location to view fireworks and light displays across Auckland over Guy Fawkes and New Years Eve. Mount Eden is the highest volcano in Auckland sitting at 196 meters tall with a well-preserved crater of 50 meters deep.

Private vehicles are no longer allowed up the mountain but there is plenty of parking around in the neighbouring streets. The board walk on the summit allows for an easy ascent to above the crater and better stability under foot, but also allows for preservation of the mountain itself.

• Main entrance gates are open from 7am – 8:30pm in summer, and 7am – 7pm in winter.
• Dogs are welcome on Mt Eden but must remain on a leash at all times. There is a specific dog walking section where dogs are allowed to run free.
• Outdoor fires including fireworks are strictly prohibited on Mt Eden.

Big King Reserve, Hillsborough

One of the best dog parks in Auckland is Big King Reserve in Hillsborough. This archaeological reserve has 360-degree, citywide views allowing for the perfect sunrise spot in Auckland, and because of its location Big King Reserve is also a fantastic sunset location in the centre of Auckland.

Big King Reserve has an elevation gain of 133 meters and can either be an easy stroll around the base of the mountain or a gentle workout on your quads if you choose to climb to the summit.

• Main entrance gates are open from 7am – 8:30pm in summer, and 7am – 7pm in winter.
• Well behaved dogs are welcome to roam free off a leash at Big King Reserve, if you visit this Auckland park during a weekend or early morning walk you will no doubt come across dogs of all shapes and sizes, so Big King probably isn’t the best place for a picnic.

Mt Wellington

Mt Wellington is Auckland’s second youngest volcano which last erupted over 10,000 years ago; lava poured from vents at the base and filled the valley below, forming small swamps and smaller valleys creating the landscape we see today.

If you’re looking for a bit of history then Mt Wellington is worth checking out. Mt Wellington has one of the best preserved Mäori village settlements dating back to around 1400AD. The main construction of the pa (village settlements) and pits that we see today dates back to the mid-sixteenths and late-seventeenth centuries. Around the slopes of the mountain are sophisticated layers of terracing which were used for gardening and the seasonal storage of vegetables.

With a 100-meter elevation from its base to the summit, Mount Wellington is one of the best sunrise locations in Auckland. Sitting close to the motorway you can perfect your city scape photography or enjoy a sunrise picnic at the summit of Mt Wellington.

• Main entrance gates are open from 7am – 8:30pm in summer, and 7am – 7pm in winter.
• Dogs are welcome on Mt Eden but have to remain on a leash at all times. There is a specific dog walking section where dogs are allowed to run free.
• Outdoor fires including fireworks are strictly prohibited on Mt Eden.

One Tree Hill

One Tree Hill is one of the oldest Volcanoes in Auckland, having last erupted over 28,500 years ago the landscape is built up with 20 square kilometres of lava flow fields surrounding a large, complex scoria cone, making One Tree Hill the second largest volcano in Auckland.

The paddocks of One Tree Hill and comprised of working farmland filled with cows and sheep, a child’s playground with a mini train track, a great restaurant and Stardome.

The landscape surrounding the summit provides a beautiful setting for a sunrise in Auckland as the summit is 184 meters above sea level. Dogs are welcome on One Tree Hill but must be secured with a leash at all times unless in the dedicated dog park area.

• The gates are open from 7am – 830pm in Summer and 7am – 7pm in Winter.
• Dogs are welcome on One Tree Hill but must remain on a leash at all times, dogs are not allowed in the playground area however there is a specific dog walking section where dogs are allowed to run free.
• Outdoor fires including fireworks are strictly prohibited on One Tree Hill.

Rangitoto Island

Rangitoto Island is a hikers paradise and one of the best Auckland sunrise Instagram spots (if you can be there in time). Rangitoto Island is hard to miss as it dominates the Auckland horizon when looking north-east from the city.

Rangitoto Island is one of the most untouched landscapes in Auckland, the only permanent residents are the native wildlife. Conservationists have worked tirelessly to make Rangitoto a pest free island for our native birds to thrive. The summit sits at 260 meters above sea level and provides extraordinary views across the city, if you would like to read more about Rangitoto Island or plan your next trip, I recommend reading my article on a Rangitoto Island Day Trip

To get over the Rangitoto Island you either need a private boat or book a ride with Fullers Ferries from either Auckland City or Devonport Wharf.

Mt Victoria, Devonport

Mt Victoria is a prominent mountain overlooking Devonport township, with 360 degree views across to Auckland city and out to Rangitoto Island. Mt Victoria is one of the best Auckland sunrise Instagram spots for its lush green grass and large green trees dominating the landscape below. Mt Victoria has been a public reserve since 1880 and was used for military purposes until after the second world war; sitting within the summit of the mountain is a muzzle-loader gun fort which was built within the mountain in 1885.

• The gates for Mt Victoria are open from 7am – 830pm in Summer and 7am – 7pm in Winter.
• Mt Victoria is one of the best dog parks in Auckland; well behaved dogs are welcome on the mountain off-leash. Good control of the dog is still required.
• The summit is permanently closed to all private motor vehicles, including motorbikes and scooters since 2018
• The summit is decorated with ‘mushroom’ coloured vents which service the reservoir buried underneath.

North Head, Devonport

North Head is a fantastic small mountain to visit in Auckland if you love history or war time guns and tunnel exploring.

A series of volcanic eruptions over 5,000 years ago formed the mountain we know today as North Head. Geologists suggest that about 7,000 years ago North Head was originally an island, where the shallow gap between Cheltenham beach and Torpedo Bay built up with sand and shell, linking North Head to the main land of Devonport.

The strategic location of North Head meant that it became an important coastal defence site and was installed with a muzzle-loader fort in 1885 during fears of a Russian invasion. Between 1888 and 1914 many prisoners who were house on North Head excavated many of the tunnels that link between the batteries and service facilities. Most of these tunnels can still be explored today, just make sure you bring a torch.

Work is underway to help reinforce these structures and preserve them for years to come.

The Defence force withdrew completely from North Head in the 1990s’, however the buildings still remain which can be hired out for private or community events.

• The vehicle gate is open from 6am – 8pm, the pedestrian gate is open from 6am – 10pm.
• Dogs are welcome on North Head but must remain on a leash at all times.

Milford Beach

Milford Beach is a beautiful 2km long white sand beach that stretches between Castor Bay and Takapuna. This beach doesn’t have any high viewpoints overlooking the city, but its east facing position makes it one of the best sunrise spots in Auckland. The views across the harbour and out towards Rangitoto Island shouldn’t be taken for granted during the early hours of the morning.

The area of Milford beach and Takapuna beach are dog friendly before 10am and after 5pm every day, making it one of the best dog beaches in Auckland.

So whether you want to enjoy a new excursion with your furry best friend, or you’re planning a surprise sunrise picnic – Milford Beach should be on your list.

More Amazing Auckland Sunrise Instagram Spots

If you’re on the hunt to refresh your Instagram feed with adventure photos, then you must check out the following Auckland sunrise Instagram spots.

• Takapuna Beach
• Auckland Domain
• Sulphur beach boat ramp, Northcote Point
• Achilles Point, St Heliers
• Narrow Neck Beach