Best Things to do in Auckland 2026

Whether you want a relaxing day of food and drinking, or if you’re wanting to explore the native forests this list of the best things to do in Auckland has ideas suited for everyone. Photograph Aucklands wildlife at Tiritiri Matangi or Rangitoto Islands, sip wine on Waiheke Island or take the kids to marvel at the underwater wonders at Kelly Tarltons.

Auckland Travel Tips

What do I Need?

Depending on where you are going and what you are planning, this list of things you need to travel Auckland will make your journey that little bit more comfortable.

• Good walking shoes
• Water bottle
• SPF 50 Sunblock
• AT Mobile App (Aucklands public transport app for up to date departures and journey planner)

Help Protect Aucklands’ Native Kauri

Shoe spraying and scrubbing stations are positioned at the start of many bush walks. This is to help prevent the spread of Kauri Dieback Disease. Spray and scrub your shoes at all of the cleaning stations when entering and exiting any walks. Our native Kauri trees are slowly being killed off by a disease which we are yet to find a cure for, so please help preserve our beautiful native bushlands!

Auckland Wildlife Photography

These wildlife photography locations are only a couple of the best things to do in Auckland.

If you want to check out some of the best sunrise and sunset photography spots in Auckland, then check out my other article on the Ultimate Photographers Guide to Auckland.

Tiritiri Matangi Island

Tiritiri Matangi Island is New Zealands most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries and one of the most successful examples of pest eradication and native forest regeneration. This open air nature reserve in the Hauraki Gulf is open to the public and accessible via ferry from Auckland city and Gulf Harbour. Volunteers run tours of the island where you can learn about the regeneration project and it’s progress since the 1980’s, as well as the different type of native birds and reptiles which inhabit the island.

Tiritiri Matangi is one of the only places in New Zealand where you can get up close with wild birds that you will very rarely, or never see on the main islands. Native birds like the Kakariki, Kokako, Takahe and Rifleman flourish among the native forest. Feeding stations are dotted around the island which attract flocks of native birds so you will be garunteed to see some beautiful native wildlife.

Unlike Rangitoto Island, Tiritiri Matangi does have a gift shop and refreshment area which is located by the lighthouse. Each purchase from the gift shop helps towards keeping Tiritiri Matangi a wildlife sanctuary where our native birds can flourish without fear of being hunted by introduced pests and predators.

Tiritiri Matangi Wildlife

As mentioned, the Tiritiri Matangi wildlife is absolutely impressive. The feeding stations mimic the busy atmosphere of Heathrow Airport and you would think the bird song through the trees is from a Bose surround sound system.

Birds

• Kākāriki
• Kōkako
• Tīeke (Saddleback)
• Pōpokotea
• Takahē
• Mātāta
• Pāteke
• Korimako
• Ruru (Morepork)
• Titipounamu (Rifleman)
• Toutouwai (North Island Robin)
• Hihi
• Kiwi Pukupuku (Little Spotted Kiwi)
• Tūī

Insects

• Wētā punga (Giant Weta)
• Pūriri Moth

Reptiles

• Duvaucel’s Gecko
• Tuatara

Getting to Tiritiri Matangi Island

Tiritiri Matangi is only accessible by ferry which departs from both Auckland city and Gulf Harbour. Make sure you prebook as Tiritiri Matangi Island is extremely popular especially during school holidays, so don’t miss your chance and make sure your purchase your seat online!

Rangitoto Island

Rangitoto Island is another amazing family friendly day trip from Auckland. Take the Fullers ferry from Devonport or Auckland city wharf for a 40 minute boat ride across the Hauraki Gulf. Hike the gravel track up the volcanic cone to the viewing point before tracking back down the cone around the winding path. There are no shops or bins on the island so whatever you bring to the island is what you will have with you for the whole day, and make sure you take all your rubbish with you!

Muriwai Gannet Colony

The Muriway Gannet Colony is a very popular wildlife photography location in Auckland for it’s abundance of wild gannets. The colony is situated on the cliffs up above Muriwai beach and is active from August to March.

Best Time to Visit Muriwai Gannet Colony

• August – September: Gannets return to the colony to prepare their nests for the upcoming breeding season.
• October – November: Gannet eggs begin to hatch
• December – January: This is the best time to visit the Muriwai Gannet colony; summer is peak breeding season with the highest activity of chicks.
• February – March: Gannet chicks learn to fly and the colony gets ready to migrate to Australia
• April – July: The colony is empty until they return for breeding season in August.

Best Waterfalls in Auckland

Karekare Falls

Titirangi is the last major suburb before you enter the Waitakere Ranges. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch from a supermarket and a couple of coffees from the Hardware Café. The drive from Titirangi to Karekare falls takes around 30 minutes, depending on your driving confidence on the windy roads, Click here for Google maps directions.

There are two slightly different routes you can take to get to Karekare Falls, and any tall vehicles such as campervans and buses should not take the Karekare Rd route, instead use Lone Kauri Rd to access Karekare Falls. As there is a large overhanging tree halfway down Karekare Rd which would wipe out the top of any vehicle that is too tall.
Once you reach the carpark on Karekare Rd, walk across the bridge and up a slight hill, until you see the sign for La Trobe Track. Follow for no more than 10 minutes and you will have reached the falls.

Kitekite Falls

Kitekite waterfall is where exercise meets leisure. The trail leading to Kitekite is worth the walk when you have Kitekite falls at the end to greet you. The path leads you through native forest and is bordered by a fresh-water stream which runs from the waterfall. The water is fresh and clean enough to drink from (literally).

Kitekite falls are a 15 minute drive from Karekare, as well as being a 5 minute drive from the Piha beach carpark. Click here for Google map directions from Karekare to Kitekite.

Once you reach the Kitekite falls, walk across the little stream and across the rocky platform to where you will find the walking track which will lead you to the top. It’s only about 15 minutes but can be a killer on your quads. But the the view at the top is amazing and worth every opportunity to do this west Auckland bush walk (killer Instagram opportunity as well).

Auckland Beaches

Piha Beach

Piha beach is Auckland’s most dangerous beach and home to one of New Zealand’s most popular reality TV shows; Piha Rescue. This is one of the most dangerous, swimmable beaches in New Zealand. With unpredictable rip currents and strong waves many people have died despite the efforts of lifeguards. Always swim between the flags and only when lifeguards are on.

Piha is popular among surfers and anyone wanting a thrill on their beach day. The waves are big and fun to jump in if you’re a confident swimmer. The beach is separated by ‘Lion Rock’, take a walk and discover the many lagoons and tracks hidden within the bush. South Piha car park has a food shack that is open during the summer months, and North Piha hosts a cafe and restaurant if you want to splash out a little bit more.

Auckland Day Trips

These Auckland day trips are the perfect excuse to escape the city and have some quality time with the people you love most. Whether you’re wanting to get in touch with nature and a bit of Auckland history by visiting Kawau Island, or if you’re wanting to escape the city stress and enjoy a bottle of wine with an incredible view at any of the Waiheke Island wineries.

Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is one of my favourite places to visit during summer. Glamping at Fossil Bay, Waiheke Island offers a great getaway from the busy, bustling lifestyle of living in Auckland city; from wine tasting at one or more of the many vineyards on the island, to enjoying a beach day at any of the white sand beaches scattered across the island.

The Waiheke Island ferry runs at regular intervals during the week and more services are put on for the weekend. Plan a day or a weekend on Waiheke and explore one of Aucklands’ amazing remote locations within arms reach of the city.

Kawau Island

Take the drive up to Snells Beach to grab the ferry from Sandspit over to Kawau Island. This isolated island paradise is only accessible via boat, and only part of the island is open to the public. Kawau Island has been a favourite holiday destination for generations; from hiking through the native forest to jumping off and swimming from one of the many private piers on the island.

Take the Royal Mail Run Cruise over to Kawau and explore the forest floor before settling down for lunch outside the Mansion House. Learn about the history of the copper mine which still remains to this day sitting on the waters edge, and explore the mansion house which was owned by one of New Zealands’ first governors.

Manukau Heads Lighthouse

The Manukau Heads Lighthouse is a stunning slice of New Zealand’s maritime history perched on the Āwhitu Peninsula, overlooking the entrance to the Manukau Harbour in Auckland and across to the Waitakere Ranges

The drive to the Manukau Heads Lighthouse takes around 1.5 hours from Auckland city, and takes you through some of the southern most townships of Auckland like Waiuku and Karaka.

Manukau Heads Lighthouse History

Built in 1874, the Manukau Heads lighthouse was one of the earliest wooden lighthouses in New Zealand with the design eventually becoming a model for other lighthouses across the country. Open daily from the morning to early evening, the Manukau lighthouse is an extremely popular day trip destination from Auckland, so I’d get there early if you want to take photos that are unspoiled by other tourists.

Another historical significance of the Manukau lighthouse is that is stands near the site of the worst maritime disaster in New Zealand history, where the HMS Orpheus became shipwrecked on the Manukau bar which claimed 189 lives.

Top Tips:
*Sunblock is 110% required when visiting New Zealand. Blistering sunburns from an hour in the sun is a shitty possibility. Any supermarket or pharmacy has stocks of sunblock for reasonable prices.

**The roads out to Piha can get very windy and narrow at times, locals drive this road on the daily so don’t feel you have to go 80 kms an hour if you don’t feel safe enough doing so HOWEVER pull over in any/all of the slow vehicle bays if you have cars coming up behind you that can clearly take the corners with more experience. Pissing off a West Aucklander with slow driving is the last thing you want to do.