There’s so much to fill your cup in Auckland. We mean that literally – the rooftop bars like Bar Albert, Sunset and HI-SO are drawcards all of their own, whether champagne or a mocktail is your thing – but the undeniable feel-good vibes of walking out of a show, exhibition, or sports game buzzing with inspiration and excitement can’t be understated either.
Tāmaki Makaurau is delivering that feeling in spades this season. As mentioned, it’s not just the big moments of a stay in the city you’ll remember. It’s all the unexpected, in-between bits that convey the personality and possibility found in its streets.
Whether you’re exploring solo or with friends and whānau, the central city is an ideal starting point for any stay. From local boutiques to luxury brands, it’s the perfect place to shop those bucket-list items. Think Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada – all within walking distance.
If arts and culture are your thing, be sure to leave plenty of time for dipping into galleries and seeing shows, as well as enjoying public art on display.
Got the kids in tow? Let them burn off steam with interactive art and play spaces around the central city, or hop on the ferry to the seaside suburb of Devonport, or travel further afield with Fullers360 or Explore Group to Waiheke Island to see the city from one of its best angles – on the water.
Feel-good feasts abound in the form of famous foodie hotspots you’ve seen on social media and can now savour yourself. From matcha soft-serve at Westfield Newmarket’s Tsujiri and takeaways representing every culture, to buttery melt-in-your mouth pastries and kaimoana plated up by internationally renowned local chefs such as Metita’s Michael Meredith, there are options to suit every taste.
Adventure awaits in the form of Waiheke’s EcoZip Adventures and Man O’ War Forest Flight, south Auckland’s Vector Wero Whitewater Park and even a climb over the Harbour Bridge – or, thanks to AJ Hackett, a bungy jump off it – if unforgettable views (and bragging rights!) are what you’re after.
The best coastal bushwalks and west-coast beaches are also within reach – take a moment to breathe in the spectacular surrounds you’ll know from Hollywood movies. Of course true bliss might just be bagging a bargain at Auckland’s newest outlet mall, Mānawa Bay near the airport. Find your own form of happiness around every corner.
Auckland’s must-see moments right now
A Century of Modern Art:
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Corner of Kitchener and Wellesley streets
7 June-28 September, 2025
Gazing upon pieces from the world’s art greats is a pinch-yourself moment not to be missed. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki hosts paintings from Monet, Gauguin, Degas and Van Gogh among the 57 works by 53 artists in its special winter exhibition this year. The artworks, on loan from the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio, introduce some visionary painters who transformed modern art.
Stay and play: Take a little piece of the magic home with you from the Gallery’s beautifully curated store. With New Zealand-exclusive products and a range of tie-in souvenirs to remind you of A Century of Modern Art, it’s also great for unique gifts. Ease your feet and rest your head in style nearby as The Cordis Auckland and the Pullman Auckland hotels make a Gallery visit easy. A busy day quickly melts away with a treatment at their spas.
Auckland Zoo Dinosaur Discovery Track
April-October, 2025
Lions and tigers and (red panda) bears, oh my! There’s always excitement at Auckland Zoo (above). While elephant Burma has settled into her new home near Adelaide, her former habitat is being transformed. This April to October, a new experience features some of the world’s ancient animals – dinosaurs – and their connection to other animals at the Zoo, like the yet-more-ancient tuatara, which is endemic to Aotearoa. The full experience is yet to be revealed, but keep your eye on the Zoo’s social media for details.
Stay and play: A family holiday is best experienced when everyone’s interests are catered for. Why not stay beachside north of Auckland where stretches of white sand let everyone burn off steam. Ōrewa Beach Holiday Park and Whangateau Holiday Park are well-appointed campgrounds that offer a gateway to Auckland.
While you’re at the Zoo, try dining at the Old Elephant House. Just outside the South America Rainforest Track, the iconic Old Elephant House has been transformed into a modern bistro-style restaurant with a fresh salad and protein bar, alcoholic beverages and café fare. Meanwhile the sports fans in your whānau should grab the chance to get caught up in the electric atmosphere taking in a football match during Auckland FC’s inaugural season at Go Media Stadium.
Aotearoa Art Fair
Viaduct Events Centre
1-4 May, 2025
The entire waterfront gets swept up in good vibes as creative vision overtakes the area, from public displays to the Aotearoa Art Fair itself at the Viaduct Events Centre. The country’s top annual showcase of contemporary art features the best from around the motu, Australia and beyond. With artworks by emerging and established artists from leading galleries, it’s a chance to start – or add to – your very own art collection, or simply enjoy the talent on show.
Stay and play: From city to shore, Auckland is a walker’s delight. Enjoy boutique shopping and dining in Britomart and Commercial Bay, stop off for waterside food and drinks in the Viaduct, and linger in the open spaces of North Wharf and Silo Park.
In the middle of it all, you’ll find the Art Fair’s venue, the Viaduct Events Centre. The water’s-edge The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, pocket-friendly Ibis Budget Auckland Central, sleek SO/ Auckland, soulful The Hotel Britomart and far-from-ordinary QT Auckland offer accommodation nearby.
Auckland Writers Festival – Waituhi o Tāmaki
Aotea Centre
13-18 May, 2025
Come away inspired and mentally energised, as the festival features a packed schedule hosting presentations, meet-and-greets and panel events with some of the country’s and world’s leading writers. See and hear from the very best writers of contemporary fiction and non-fiction, scientists, economists, poets, journalists, and public intellectuals.
Stay and play: An experience unlike any other and full of fantasy and sci-fi writing inspiration, Wētā Workshop Unleashed is an immersive, interactive experience where you can explore the artistry and craftsmanship behind movie special effects, props, and creatures created by Wētā Workshop, famous for their incredible work on The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar and more.
Checking in to the Airedale Boutique Suites means you’ll be just a 4-minute walk from the Auckland Writers Festival base at Aotea Centre and close by other exciting city attractions, including Wētā Workshop Unleashed.
For more Auckland experiences that’ll have you smiling from ear to ear, go to: aucklandnz.com
Photography: Sam Hartnett, Luke Foley Martin.
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