Things to do in Auckland
A Travel Guide by RaD Car Hire
At RaD Car Hire, we’re all about the journey and making sure our customers get the best possible experience during their time here in New Zealand. Whether you’re a local exploring a new area or you’re visiting from overseas, who wouldn’t benefit from a little insider information, right?
With branches in 22 locations around New Zealand, our team of staff are all passionate about their own “home” towns. Whether they’re born and bred or new to the area, our team are your local guides when it comes to exploring new destinations throughout the country. We also like to lean on our wonderful customers to find out what they have loved about New Zealand so we can add their top tips to all our travel guides.
In this guide, we are going to be taking you through some of the best things to do in Auckland – the City of Sails. As New Zealand’s biggest city, you’re never short of things to do in Auckland, however, we want to try and give you a few ideas for activities, attractions and places to eat that you might not find elsewhere.
Auckland is one of the world’s great waterfront cities and the Sky Tower helps to define the skyline, setting it apart from other major cities around the world. Auckland is often the starting point for many international visitors flying into New Zealand and before you pick up your rental car and hit the roads to explore everything beautiful Aotearoa has to offer, we recommend spending a few days in Auckland as there is plenty to see and do here.
As one of New Zealand’s best-known car rental companies, we’ve got some great deals available on car hire in Auckland at either our Auckland Airport branch or our West Auckland branch located in New Lynn. We also have an Auckland CBD drop off and pick up service which allows you to rent a car from RaD from downtown Auckland so make sure you check out our latest deals and great prices.
Auckland Activities
Kicking off this guide is our list of some of the best activities in Auckland that you might not find on other websites. For a run down of the absolute best activities in Auckland, including the Sky Tower, bungee jumping off the harbour bridge, America’s Cup sailing, and Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium, make sure you check out our blog covering Auckland’s most popular activities.
Here are five activities that might just float your boat:
Explore the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail
Located about an hour north of Auckland, this trail features over 60 sculptures set amidst beautiful gardens and a vineyard. It's a unique blend of art and nature, offering a peaceful escape from the city. If you’re a wine lover, there is also a superb vineyard at Brick Bay serving great food and local wine.
Visit the Parnell Rose Gardens (Dove-Myer Robinson Park)
This serene garden in the Parnell suburb boasts over 5,000 rose bushes and offers stunning views of the Waitemata Harbour. It's perfect for a quiet stroll or picnic. This was a top pick of one of the team based at our Auckland Airport branch and is definitely one that the Auckland-based team have all experienced after getting the tip, so make sure you check it out – stunning!
Discover Street Art in Auckland
Auckland has a vibrant street art scene, with many hidden gems scattered throughout the city. Exploring these murals can provide a fresh perspective on the city's culture and creativity. We once did an Escape Room experience with a twist – it was outdoors and we had to hunt for clues throughout the city, many of which were located by these amazing pieces of street art – a very cool way to explore the city and spend an afternoon.
Experience the Matakana Village Farmers’ Market
Every Saturday, this market in Matakana Village offers a taste of local culture with fresh produce, artisan foods, and handmade crafts. It's a great place to sample local delicacies and meet friendly vendors. Matakana has got pretty busy as word has started to spread, but it’s still worth a visit. Once you’re done at the market, carry on to Omaha where you can enjoy the beautiful beach and have a swim.
Explore the Howick Historical Village
This living museum showcases life in Auckland during the 19th century. Visitors can explore historic buildings and learn about the region's history in a unique and interactive way. This is a really cool experience that is often overlooked but loved by those who discover it.
Auckland Places to Eat
This was probably the toughest category in this guide to narrow down as Auckland is literally jam-packed with amazing places to eat out and everyone has very different tastes. We have tried to include lots of different cuisines in our top five picks but we have also created a separate blog that goes into way more detail and includes tips from staff and customers on their favourite places to eat out in Auckland.
This is the list of the top five that we have managed to narrow down for you in this guide:
White + Wong's
· Cuisine: Asian Fusion
· Budget: Upscale ($$$)
· Highlights: Located in the Auckland Viaduct, this restaurant offers a vibrant mix of Asian street foods from China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Their menu includes dishes like Bang Bang chicken, BBQ pork buns, and whole Peking Ducks. They also cater really well for vegetarians and fish lovers with plenty of variety on the menu. The location puts it into the higher price bracket, however, a the sharing plate experience couple with some good set-menu options makes it a great places for groups.
Ghost Street
· Cuisine: Chinese, Regional
· Budget: Moderate to Upscale ($$ - $$$)
· Highlights: Situated beneath Cafe Hanoi, Ghost Street offers rustic seasonal dishes from regional China, focusing on Chengdu and Xi'an flavours. The menu includes hand-pulled Biang Biang noodles and scallop wantons with Sichuan chilli oil. The restaurant has a unique subterranean setting and serves creative cocktails inspired by Chinese herbs. This is another place where sharing dishes is encouraged with a unique ordering system of pinning your requests on a peg for your waiter to collect.
Odettes Eatery
· Cuisine: Mediterranean & North African
· Budget: Moderate ($$)
· Highlights: Known for elevated brunch cuisine, Odettes offers a great drink menu and attentive service. It's popular for breakfast, lunch, and solo dining. The location is super cool with some great outdoor seating and the menu is simple yet so good. They are big supporters of other local businesses and try to source all their ingredients from local suppliers where possible.
Prego Restaurant
· Cuisine: Italian
· Budget: Upscale ($$$)
· Highlights: This place has been around in Ponsonby for nearly 40 years and is an absolute staple of the community. Prego offers traditional and contemporary Italian dishes in a lively atmosphere. They have great cocktails and delicious desserts, and some great outdoor seating options that are great in the summer months. Ponsonby is a very cool area to explore with lots of great eating options, but if you get the chance, add Prego to your list.
1947 Eatery
· Cuisine: Indian Fusion
· Budget: Moderate ($$)
· Highlights: 1947 Eatery is a firm favourite of the Auckland team and gets the seal of approval from many of our international visitors. Indian food seems to be different around the world, with every country putting their own spin on things and New Zealand is no different. At 1947 Eatery, they have created a menu which offers up Indian fusion cuisine and specialty cocktails in a very cool setting. It's great for lunch and dinner and includes a mix of traditional street dishes alongside some more modern creations from the head chef.
Auckland Accommodation
As New Zealand’s biggest city, it’s not short on accommodation options to suit all budgets. In recent times, some pretty exclusive hotels have been added to the Auckland accommodation scene, however, these sit alongside some great budget-friendly hotels and even some up-market hostels. Don’t forget, we can deliver your Auckland rental car to any CBD hotel, so if you are planning a city break and only need your car when you leave, then we can arrange a convenient drop off.
Like our recommendations for places to eat in Auckland, our accommodation recommendations are pretty tricky as everyone has different tastes, however, here are seven of our favourite picks based on feedback from the team, our customers and good old Trip Advisor!
Park Hyatt Auckland
· Budget: Luxury ($$$$)
· Features: This is one of the newest hotels on the Auckland scene and other than the amazing facilities, what sets it apart as one of the most premium hotels in the city is the stunning waterfront location, right in the heart of the Wynyard Quarter. The hotel itself has spacious rooms with harbour views, an infinity pool, and impressive dining options. This is a great option for those travelling with a bigger budget and a chance to relax in comfort and style.
InterContinental Auckland
· Budget: Upscale ($$$)
· Features: Another new premier hotel on the Auckland scene is the InterContinental which also enjoys a prime location overlooking the Waitematā Harbour. Located right in the heart of the city and close to Commercial Bay shopping mall, the InterContinental has some pretty cool features including the Club InterContinental lounge and rooms with smart TVs and Bluetooth soundbars.
Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
· Budget: Upscale ($$$)
· Features: This luxury hotel has been a staple of the Auckland scene for some time now and whilst it is definitely a premium hotel experience, look out for some great deals on GrabOne where you can often find some amazing specials which make the hotel more affordable and a great splurge. With 640 stylish rooms and suites, rooftop terrace, full-service Chuan Spa, and an outdoor pool, this hotel really ticks the boxes. If you can, look for a deal which includes breakfast as the buffet is one of the best you will ever find. Chocolate fountain for breakfast? Don’t mind if I do!
M Social Hotel Auckland
· Budget: Upscale ($$$)
· Features: This is another modern central-city hotel with harbour views, a restaurant, and a bar. M Social has quickly gained a reputation for its contemporary design and LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere. Customers are always quick to praise the free movies and espresso machine in every room – a nice feature and a great way to start your day.
Hotel DeBrett
· Budget: Luxury ($$$$)
· Features: Taking luxury to the next level, Hotel DeBrett is a boutique hotel with uniquely designed rooms featuring Art Deco charm. Every room is individually designed so if you are lucky to stay here more than once, you won’t get a sense of deja-vu with the room you stay in! Located in the vibrant High Street area, close to the waterfront and Britomart, this iconic Auckland building is full of character and charm. The Housebar is also a really cool place to grab a drink so lots to do here.
Kiwi International Hotel
· Budget: Budget-friendly ($$)
· Features: Another budget-friendly option in the heart of downtown Auckland is the Kiwi International Hotel. Located in the heart of Auckland, offering clean rooms and friendly staff. A top choice for budget travellers due to its proximity to Queen Street and essential amenities. Snug rooms feature streamlined decor, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, and shared bathrooms. Upgraded rooms offer en suite facilities and flat-screen TVs, while apartments include kitchenettes with dining areas and city views.
ibis budget Auckland Central
· Budget: Very Budget-friendly ($)
· Features: Possibly the best-budget option on our list, the ibis budget Auckland Central hotel offers compact yet comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. Located near major attractions like the Sky Tower and Viaduct Harbour, it’s hard to look past this cheap and cheerful hotel if you are on a tight budget but want to stay in the heart of the city. Lots of great reviews from travellers from around the world.
Auckland Beaches
Rounding out our list of things to do in Auckland is a visit to one of the many beautiful beaches in and around the city. This is often the perfect opportunity to familiarise yourself with your new rental car as well as providing an opportunity to get out of the CBD and explore some of Auckland’s beautiful beaches.
With plenty to choose from, we have picked some of our staff favourites which are dotted both north, south, west, and a little bit east of the city (although you can’t get much further east!)
Mission Bay Beach
· Location: East Coast, just minutes from Auckland CBD
· Features: Golden sand, playground, cafes, and stunning views of Rangitoto Island. It's perfect for families and offers a lively atmosphere.
Piha Beach
· Location: West Coast, about 45 minutes from Auckland CBD
· Features: Known for its rugged black sand and strong surf, making it popular with surfers. The surrounding Waitakere Ranges offer beautiful bush walks.
Long Bay Beach
· Location: North Shore, about 30-40 minutes from Auckland CBD
· Features: Long stretch of golden sand, part of a regional park with plenty of green space. It's great for swimming, snorkelling, and outdoor activities.
Cheltenham Beach
· Location: North Shore, about 10-15 minutes from Auckland CBD by ferry to Devonport
· Features: Soft golden sands, calm waters, and stunning views of Rangitoto Island. It's a peaceful retreat ideal for swimming, picnics, and relaxation. The beach is surrounded by historic homes and offers easy access to nearby cafes and the North Head Historic Reserve.
Orewa Beach
· Location: North Coast, about 45 minutes from Auckland CBD
· Features: Long golden-sand beach, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. It's a popular spot for families and offers a relaxed atmosphere.
Renting a Car in Auckland
If you are flying into Auckland Airport, either to the domestic or international terminal, look no further than RaD Car Hire. With super competitive prices, a great selection of cars from compact to 4x4, and a promise of great customer service, then RaD is a great choice for all travellers.
Whether you choose to rent from our Auckland Airport branch, our West Auckland branch in New Lynn or take advantage of our convenient Auckland City drop off service, we have a range of rental car options in Auckland for every traveller.