Check out our AA Traveller Guides Editor's picks of the top 5 experiences not to be missed in Auckland!
1. Matakana Village Farmers’ Market
Buy irresistible pantry items such as honey, cheese, nuts, Italian sausage and locally-brewed beer. An hour’s drive north of central Auckland, the river-fronting market Matakana Village Farmers' Market is splendid. Open Saturday, 8am-1pm year-round.
2. Karangahape Rd, Auckland Central
The epicentre of vintage stores and boho boutiques, as well as drag cabaret, a proud LGBTQIA scene and K Road also has numerous gritty-meets-gentrified dining options.
3. The Waitākere Ranges
Visit Arataki Visitor Centre on Scenic Drive for a social and natural history of the region, incredible views over the ranges and information on the area’s 250km of walking trails. This is kauri territory and due to kauri dieback disease, many tracks throughout the Waitākere Ranges are closed – but not all, and the team at this centre can advise.
4. Māngere Mountain
Here you can see the remains of early Māori settlements in and around an ancient volcano. Māngere Mountain is also a brilliant place to walk, with impressive views across the city and the Manukau Harbour.
5. Auckland Botanic Gardens
This great green expanse is an all-round crowd pleaser. Kids love the Potter Children’s Garden which is both educational and enthralling. At the Auckland Botanic Gardens, there are large-scale outdoor sculptures, many trees and plants, a lake, an edible garden and flowers galore.
