Top 10 FREE Things to Do in Auckland (New Zealand)

Auckland has over 1.45 million individuals, and that’s about one-third of New Zealand‘s entire population — with that in mind, it’s no surprise that lots of people confuse it for the nation’s capital (when it’s truly Wellington). Add the truth that Auckland’s bustling metropolis is coupled with beautiful surrounding terrains, then it absolutely isn’t stunning that increasingly more vacationers will probably be mystified by this truth. (FREE Things to Do in Auckland)

…Of course, this isn’t to say that Wellington doesn’t deserve its title — as a result of it does, given the way it has its personal allure and distinct traits — however… Auckland is actually a surprise in itself! And for those who have been to land right here, there are all kinds of issues that may maintain you occupied.

For starters, listed below are the highest FREE issues to do on this ‘City of Sails’!

» Quick Travel Planning

Free Things to Do in Auckland

1. Climb a close-by volcano

Photo by: Chris Gin / CC

Did you understand? There are about 50 volcanoes that make up Auckland’s distinctive panorama!

For those that are up for a leisurely hike, it’s undoubtedly a should to climb the next easily-accessible volcanic summits as a number of the prime free issues to do in Auckland:

• Rangitoto
  One of Auckland’s most iconic pure landmarks in addition to its youngest volcano, Rangitoto has a particular symmetrical cone that may simply be noticed off the coast. It’s solely a 25-minute journey away throughout the harbor from downtown Auckland, and earlier than you permit, ensure that to drop by its neighboring Motutapu Island.
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• Mount Eden (Maungawhau)
  This is the best volcano within the metropolis. Go right here by foot or by bike and also you’ll be rewarded with a shocking view of the town and the Waitemata Harbour.
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• One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie)
  The highest level is topped with a monument devoted to Sir John Logan Campbell (the ‘founding father’ of Auckland City). What’s extra, it’s even claimed to be the most important pre-historic earth forth on the planet. (NOTE: If you come through the spring season, you’ll be able to get pleasure from pink cherry blossoms all all through the park).
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• Mount Victoria (Takarunga)
  This volcanic cone is present in Devonport and it offers picturesque sea views. (Going up takes about 10-20 minutes solely).
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• Mangere Mountain
  Māori is the indigenous Polynesian individuals of New Zealand and it’s in Mangere Mountain the place you’ll be able to see some stays of former Māori settlements. If you need to be taught extra concerning the historical past, drop by the Education Centre discovered on the base of the mountain (open on weekdays).
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2. Enjoy panoramic views from a number of vantage factors

Aside from climbing up volcanoes, there actually are different methods to get nice panoramic views of Auckland.

• Devonport
  You can principally discover on this seaside city the volcano known as North Head (Maungauika, simply beside Mount Victoria) and it is without doubt one of the area’s oldest cones. To get right here, it’s a fast 10-minute ferry journey price NZ$11.50. Apart from glimpsing an important skyline view with an added alternative to discover its underground tunnels, it’s also possible to go to the Navy Museum at no cost and have a swim on the close by Cheltenham Beach.
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• Sky Tower
  The view from the highest of this 328-meter iconic landmark is fairly wonderful and the doorway is solely price $20~ (or NZ$29). If you’ve received additional cash, it’s also possible to bungee bounce from excessive up.
  • TIP: If you eat lunch or have some afternoon tea in its Orbit restaurant that’s perched excessive up the tower, you may get a FREE entrance to the remark deck for an hour!
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3. See the town’s well-known landmarks

Photo by: Spentrails / CC

What higher strategy to see and be taught extra concerning the metropolis than to tour round with a neighborhood? For occasion, for those who go together with Auckland Free Walking Tours, you’ll be capable to be part of a no-cost 3-hour metropolis tour!

Other than the already talked about spots like Sky Tower and so on., a number of the landmarks that it’s essential to not miss could be:

• Queen Street
  The main business hub is called after Queen Victoria, and it’s speckled with fashionable eating places, retailers, and cafes.
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• Auckland Harbour Bridge
  The Harbour Bridge is one more Auckland icon and for those who’re up for some exhilarating enjoyable, you are able to do a 40-meter bungee bounce from the bridge with the operator AJ Hackett, or simply do a bridge climb to see grand views of the town and the harbor.
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• Parnell Village
  If you’re reasonably into boutique window purchasing, Parnell (which is Auckland’s oldest suburb) is filled with allure and character attributable to its Victorian-villa-designed constructions.
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4. Appreciate historic artwork in one of many metropolis’s finest museums

The Auckland Art Gallery has the most intensive assortment of nationwide and worldwide artwork in New Zealand and one of the best ways to expertise this world-class gallery is by becoming a member of an intimate guided tour — which is obtainable for FREE. (Entrance to the museum can also be FREE!)

The excursions run twice each day at round 11:30AM and 1:30PM, and opening occasions are from 10:00AM to five:00PM.

Oftentimes, the gallery additionally hosts worldwide exhibitions and provides a full of life variety of occasions equivalent to talks, performances, movie screenings, and youngsters’s actions to enrich its exhibition program.

5. Lounge on close by seashores…

Photo by: Monday’s Socks / CC

There are literally 1000’s of seashores all through the larger Auckland area: from white seashores to black sand ones, and so forth! Therefore, go arm your self with a seaside blanket, a guide, and/or some picnic paraphernalia and head on to the wide-open seashores.

Otherwise, there are many different methods to refill your time whereas on these sandy havens: browsing, kayaking, snorkeling, and even diving!

NOTE: Always swim between the crimson and yellow patrol flags as they determine the most secure space to swim when an energetic lifesaving patrol is on the seaside. Never swim or surf alone on an unpatrolled seaside.

Given the variety of seashores, under are the highest picks that ought to be excessive up in your free issues to do in Auckland itinerary:

• East Coast
  This space is primarily recognized for its white and golden-sand seashores equivalent to Pakiri (the place you’ll be able to journey a horse by the sand) and Tāwharanui. For household and pal outings, seashores equivalent to Mataetai and Omana are finest with ample water actions and playgrounds to do and use respectively.
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• West Coast
  You shouldn’t miss a cease at Muriwai Beach that’s well-known for its clifftop gannet colonies (a sort of seabird)! If you like browsing or just need the possibility to glimpse a black-sand seaside, come over to Piha Beach or Karioitahi Beach.
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• City space
  If you don’t need to stray too removed from the town middle, there are the golden sands of Mission Bay, Kohimarama, and Saint Heliers by the waterfront. And like I discussed earlier, for those who journey a ferry to Devonport, it has Cheltenham Beach. If you need one thing even nearer, there’s Takapuna Beach throughout the Harbour Bridge.
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6. …and likewise hop to close by islands!

There can also be a wealth of unimaginable surrounding islands, aside from Rangitoto, the opposite notable ones that ought to be in your free issues to do in Auckland record could be:

• Goat Island
  Located an hour away from the metropolis middle, Goat Island Marine Reserve is New Zealand’s first and most accessible marine reserve; that being stated, it will be an important exercise in your itinerary to dive and snorkel right here below its sheltered and crystal clear waters.
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• Waiheke Island
  Waiheke is only a 35-minute ferry journey from downtown Auckland and it is called the ‘island of wine’ because of the variety of wineries and vineyards which can be prevalent right here. Other than visiting fabulous wineries, you would additionally get pleasure from its white sand seashores known as Oneroa and Onetangi, making it an important possibility for a day journey throughout your keep.
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• Tiritiri Matangi Island
  Only a 75-minute ferry journey away from downtown Auckland, Tiritir Matangi is an open wildlife sanctuary that protects native and endangered species; therefore, it’s a nature lover’s paradise! You will completely love your wilderness journey right here, and when it’s time to loosen up, there’s Hobbs Beach which is only a 10-minute stroll from the principle wharf.
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• Great Barrier Island
  If you’ve received a while to spare, take a 4.5-hour ferry journey to succeed in the Great Barrier Island — one of the vital tranquil and unspoiled locations you’ll ever discover! There will not be solely tons of forest trails out there that can lead you to secluded scorching springs, waterfalls, and swimming halls, however there are additionally very good spots for browsing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
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7. Do a nature stroll

If you’re the form of traveler who loves to find a spot’s pure magnificence on foot, Auckland has quick walks and multi-day hikes to give you. Below are just a few choices to get you began:

• Coast to Coast Walkway
  [Distance: 16km] This path begins from Waitemata Harbour to the expansive Manukau Harbour, and it’ll take you over a HUGE number of landscapes as you stroll via the town, the city parks, and ultimately to volcanic cones for nice views.
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• Kitekite Track
  [Distance: 1.8km] A brief stroll that takes you thru waterfalls, streams, and native bush, one can find this observe near the seaside group of Piha. One of the highlights of this exercise would be the probability to see the implausible Kitekite falls.
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• Tamaki Drive
  [Distance: 10km] If you’ve received a automobile, driving via this street is one thing you must contemplate; if not, there’s a pathway that you would be able to stroll via (shared by cyclists and rollerbladers too) as you witness Auckland’s most prosperous suburbs, breathtaking harbors, and exquisite Eastern seashores. Rest assured, it’s flat so it’s very appropriate for adults and youngsters alike.
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• Waitakere Ranges
  This parkland covers greater than 16,000 hectares of native forest and shoreline. If you’re sport for strolling and tramping, Waitakere Ranges has a number of trails so that you can select from, the longest of which might be the 4-day 77km self-guided tramp known as “Hillary Trail”. It connects a community of present regional park tracks and primary backpacker campgrounds (the path begins at Arataki Visitor Center).
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8. Participate in free occasions and festivals

Photo by: Auckland NZ / CC

The metropolis is buzzing with occasions all all year long. Those that you must look out for in your free issues to do in Auckland record are:

• Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival
  [Late January] This is a FREE and distinctive 3-day, a family-friendly celebration showcasing Māori heritage and the tradition of Tāmaki Makarau (Māori title for Auckland). Here, you’ll be able to expertise Māori video games and workshops in addition to watch thrilling tribal waka races.
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• Auckland Lantern Festival
  [Early February] As a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, there will probably be a whole lot of Chinese lanterns, music, dance performances, conventional festivities, and extra!
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• Pasifika Festival
  [Early March] Pasifka celebrates genuine Pacific Island villages and every of them will showcase efficiency on stage, in addition to current their items in a market setting. With this vibrant celebration, you’re certain to witness numerous cultures from locations like Kiribati, Cook Island, and Samoa!
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• Silo Cinema
  [Summer] Situated in Silo Park, you’ll be able to get pleasure from numerous films each Friday and Saturday at Silo Cinema. At the tip of it, there are additionally a number of night time markets and meals stalls so that you can wander into.
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For a whole record of upcoming affairs, go right here.

9. Relax at one of many metropolis’s inexperienced areas

At this level, you undoubtedly would have realized by now that Auckland is full of an array of surrounding pure areas to fill your time with. But that doesn’t cease there as a result of there are some fascinating metropolis parks smacked proper within the middle that it’s worthwhile to see:

• Parnell Rose Gardens
  In addition to its romantic rose backyard, it is house to the oldest manuka (flowering plant) and the most important pohutukawa (additionally known as as ‘New Zealand Christmas tree’) in Auckland. There’s even an enormous park to get pleasure from and a small seaside!
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• Auckland Domain
  This is the town’s oldest park, and at 75 hectares, one in all its largest. When I wandered off to this place, I notably loved the Wintergardens, what with its glass homes that embrace numerous tropical vegetation! Other issues that you could find are Auckland’s War Memorial Museum, some duck ponds, and a cherry blossom grove.
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• Albert Park
  This occupies a lot of the positioning of Albert Barracks, one of many metropolis’s early European navy fortifications. At one nook of the park, one can find Auckland Art Gallery (Toi o Tāmaki) and a few gardens, and on the opposite facet is an unique parkkeeper’s cottage, which is now a museum of memorabilia.
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10. Admire the waterfront

Dubbed the ‘City of Sails’, you clearly shouldn’t go away the town with out taking the time to go to the waterfronts as a part of the highest free issues to do in Auckland.

• Wynyard Quarter
  As the metropolis’ most lately developed waterfront precinct, it’s an important venue for eating and leisure.
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• Viaduct Harbour
  Lined up with eating places and bars, this vibrant waterfront is a superb place to hang around or dine in too. If you need to degree up your harbor time, it’s also possible to be part of a peaceable cruise with Pride of Auckland for NZ$85. Or, go to the Voyager Maritime Museum to be taught extra about New Zealand’s wealthy maritime historical past (NZ$20).
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» Top New Zealand Tours «

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Auckland Travel Guide

IMPORTANT: New Zealand has VERY strict quarantine legal guidelines for undeclared meals and different biohazards. This implies that you shouldn’t usher in any form of recent meals equivalent to bananas, apples, honey, and so on. Make certain that you just get rid of them earlier than going via the luggage declare space. Processed or packaged meals might be accepted however you’re imagined to declare them in your arrival card. If you’re ever doubtful, ask for clarification — in any other case, you may be charged with a hefty tremendous.

If you’ve received out of doors gear like diving gear, mountain climbing boots, and so on. it’s essential to clear them earlier than you journey to New Zealand to ensure that the inspection course of to go extra rapidly for you. Be suggested that New Zealand is agency about this given how they’ve sniffer canine and bio-sensitive X-ray machines to detect any undesirable gadgets.

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» Getting Into Auckland

By airplane. Auckland International Airport (AKL) is New Zealand’s largest airport and there are lots of airways that undergo the town. One of the airways that I completely advocate could be Singapore Airlines. But in case you’re questioning the place to search for the perfect flight offers throughout all airways, my go-to platform is Skyscanner.

Meanwhile, you’ll be able to attain the town from the airport by Airbus Express (NZ$16), shuttle vans, or taxi (might be NZ$50 to NZ$100). Uber has a flat price of NZ$70, whereas Zoomy prices between NZ$39 to NZ$66.

By practice. If you’re coming from Wellington, the Overlander practice goes to Auckland at NZ$119 with a stopover alternative at Tongariro National Park.

By bus. There are a number of suppliers that you would be able to select from InterCity, GreatSights New Zealand, Northliner, ManaBus, and NakedBus.

By boat. Auckland is a serious cruise ship port of name with its primary cruise terminal situated on Queens Wharf.

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» Where to Stay (Auckland Accommodations)

Your finest decisions could be…

When searching for different low cost locations to remain, I at all times search via AirBnB and Booking as a result of they not solely usually have the perfect costs however they’re the perfect reserving websites when touring!

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» Getting Around Auckland

By foot & by bike. Renting a motorcycle is simple and the associated fee can begin at round NZ$35 for a day.

By practice, bus, or ferry. All public transportation in Auckland has a standardized ticketing system known as ‘AT HOP’ and the cardboard is a reusable prepay good card. They price NZ$10 and might be topped up with a minimal of NZ$5 — a day cross prices $18 although, so it’s finest to get one. (Unfortunately, I can’t discover different kinds of day passes; the following longer cross you’ll be able to have is for a month).

By taxi. Taxis in Auckland are very costly. But for those who should, you’ll be able to select from both Uber or Zoomy. I personally would advocate Uber since they’ve significantly cheaper fares (often lower than 1/2 the price of a daily taxi).

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» Helpful Māori phrases

English is the dominant language spoken by most Kiwis (New Zealanders) however the nation’s de jure official languages are Māori and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). Rest assured, Māori persons are bilingual and may converse English too, however they’ll be pleased to listen to you attempt to converse their language.

If you need to be taught just a few useful Māori phrases, just be sure you pronounce them correctly!

Hello (to 1 particular person, formal): Tēnā koe (Te-na koy)
Hello (to 1 particular person, casual): Kia ora (Key-oar-rah)
Thank you: Kia ora (Key-oar-rah) ~ pronounced with a rising intonation
Yes: Āe (I)
No: Kāore (Kao-re)
Goodbye (stated by particular person leaving): E noho rā (E-noho ra)
Goodbye (stated by particular person staying): Haere rā (Hayre ra)

I’m sorry: Aroha mai (Ar-ro-ha-mai)
Help!: Āwhina! (Af-fin-nuh!)
Cheers!: Kia ora! (Key-oar-rah!)