19 Fun & Unusual Things to do in Auckland (and One Thing to Skip)

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Planning a trip to New Zealand? We’ve come up with a list of our favourite unusual things to do in Auckland – from quirky places to eat, cool bars to drink in and unique things to see, And they are all easily accessible from the CBD.

What are the best things to do in Auckland? Asked the woman sitting next to me on the airport shuttle. It was a fair question, I did used to live there. I opened my mouth, and my mind went blank. I’m horrified to say, I couldn’t think of anything.

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Recovering, I rattled off the obvious things like wandering around the many bars and restaurants at the Viaduct, going up the Sky Tower (and hurtling yourself off it if you see fit), taking a ferry over to Waiheke, the beautiful, wine-filled island, nearby – but I felt like I should have been able to reel off a host of cool things – after all I did spend six years here.

It was only once I got into town and I started walking around that I remembered the appeal of Auckland isn’t created by big ‘oh wow’ sights that many other places in NZ offer you, instead it’s the smaller, more unusual things to do in Auckland that make it special. Like these…

This post was first published in 2018. It was updated in July 2025 following another visit to Auckland in June 2025. Information is drawn from personal experience. Prices and opening hours are from the websites of the companies mentioned. These are checked yearly.

1. Get Up Close and Personal With a Volcano

Auckland is built on volcanoes; there are 48 cones scattered around the city.

Most of them have cones that go up (and of these my favourite is probably the craggy lava-strewn Rangitoto that you can easily reach by ferry as a day trip from Auckland) but, as cool as Rangi is, it doesn’t really say ‘hi, I’m standing on something that used to erupt’ – that honour goes to the enormous crater at the top of Mount Eden.

Walk to the top up a nice paved road and then behold the incredible sight at your feet. 

The 360-degree views of the Auckland skyline aren’t that bad either.

You can get to Mount Eden crater from the Auckland CBD on the 25B or 25L buses from Aotea Square. It’s about a 25-minute walk from the bus stop to the surface.

2. Meet the Swashbucklers Stingray

Swashbucklers Bar in Auckland’s Westhaven Marina is a great place to come for a down-to-earth pint with a view of the water and, if you’re lucky, a spectacular sunset over the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

And they have a stingray!

There I was telling my friend Arian about how I wish I’d seen a ray during our Clear Kayaking session at Goat Island the day before when she said ‘oh, there’s one here, the boaties give it the fish scraps’ – sure enough, as she went to the bar to get a new round she peaked over the side and said ‘there he is.’

Rushing excitedly to the side of the jetty, I spotted an enormous stingray swimming around the harbour just below me – and I mean huge.

Sadly, he didn’t photograph well, but he was there for a good 20 minutes, having his dinner.

He’s wild, so I can’t say if you’ll see him or when, but he appeared for us around 7 pm.

Find Swashbucklers at 23b Westhaven Drive.

3. See the Shiny Captain Cook

This was a new addition to the harbour when I visited on my last trip in June 2025 (although it’s actually been there a while) – and it’s an interesting one!

At the end of Queen’s Wharf, next to the ferry port in central Auckland, is what looks like an old 1950s house. And, if you walk down there and poke your head in the window, you’ll see a metallic statue of Captain Cook surrounded by neon lights.

The artwork is by New Zealand-born artist, Michael Parekōwhai and, according to the official description by Auckland Council, ‘The Lighthouse is the house that holds the whole universe. The interior finish is highly reflective and features clusters of neon lights that represent the star constellations, illuminating upward towards the ceiling. The coloured light implies the notion of ahi kā; that home fires are burning and the house is warm with people.

The presence of The English Channel, sitting among the stars, grounds the work. This version of Captain Cook is not the heroic figure that we often see. Instead, he is more pensive and thoughtful. He faces toward the fire, as if he is warming his feet, but his gaze and mind are elsewhere.’

You can’t go in the house, but you can peer through the windows, through the door and climb the staircase. Well, in theory! When I visited, some people had made their own homes in the doorway and around the side, which limited access a little bit, but you could still see inside through the windows.

Read more about it here. The Lighthouse is visible all day, but the walk down to the wharf is a bit deserted, so you might not want to go down there at night.

4. Try Auckland’s Most Innovative Ice Cream

Hokey Pokey might be New Zealand’s most famous flavour of ice cream, but if you want its most incredible, you go to Giapo.

I mean, come on, the man has made an add-on that makes your cone look like a squid!

Here’s my full review of Giapo, which tells you everything to expect, but if you’ve got a sweet tooth – or an Instagram account – this has to be one of the most fun things to do in Auckland.

Good news for those with coeliac disease is that they are a totally gluten-free facility. They also offer vegan options. The downside is that cones like the one above do not come cheap – the day I write this, it’s NZ$39!!

Don’t promise the kids that one until you’ve checked the latest prices.

You’ll find Giapo at 12 Gore Street, close to the Britomart district of the city. They’re open from noon to 10 pm (10.30 at weekends), six days a week – they close on Tuesday.

5. Visit an Island Full of Birds

Tiri Tiri Matangi is an island 30km north-east of Auckland, and easily accessible by ferry from the harbour in town. The journey takes just 75 minutes.

What makes this island so special is that all predators have been eradicated from it, leaving the bird population to flit about worry-free.

As such, you’ll see all manner of beautiful New Zealand birds – potentially including Little Penguins, some inquisitive parrots and the fantastically noisy Tuis.

Ferry services to Tiritiri Mitangi are operated by the Explore Group and depart from Viaduct Harbour. It’s best to book your spot in advance as there are limited sailings a day.

6. Meet Some More Magical Creatures

The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in New Zealand, and Weta Workshop created the creatures featured in the movies – and they’ve brought their creative genius to the heart of Auckland.

Weta Workshop Unleashed offers the chance to get up close with the Weta creative process. You’ll take a tour through the imaginary creations of three different movies – a horror, a fantasy, and a sci-fi- to see how they design and build their incredible animatronics.

If you’re a creative type, you might want to book one of their workshops to learn how to do your own special effects.

Even if you don’t have time to make the tour, you shouldn’t miss the shop area, as you’ll find models of some famous characters, like this troll, here.

Weta Workshop Unleashed is located within the Skytower building in central Auckland; the entrance is on Federal Street. It’s open seven days a week, every day of the year except Christmas Day from 9:45 am — 6:00 pm Sunday to Friday, there is later opening on a Saturday. Tours last 90 minutes and are best booked in advance. Children are very welcome.

7. Search for Elves in Albert Park

Sticking with our Lord of the Rings/Fantasy theme, I’m not sure if there are any actual elves in Central Auckland, but if there are, they’d hang out in Albert Park.

Specifically, they’d frequent the trail of twisted trees that you find along the end of the park closest to Kitchener/Bowen Street.

It just looks like something magical, especially as it’s also surrounded by ivy.

Who needs to schlep to Hobbiton to feel magical? Get your best Lord of the Rings outfit on and frolick to your heart’s content.

8. Book a Mystery Picnic

Great for locals and tourists alike, Mystery Picnics are like a treasure hunt for food!

You’re given a heap of clues to solve, each of which takes you somewhere to pick up a piece of your picnic.

We tried it in Sydney and had a fantastic haul of food – all of it yummy! I’ve also done one in London and that was also great.

Your last clue is a pretty place to eat your picnic, which shouldn’t be hard in Auckland as it’s full of them.

You can also book an option with wine if you want to make an afternoon of it!

See more about the Mystery Picnic Options in Auckland here.

9. Check out Piggy Stardust

Auckland doesn’t have a huge street art scene (though if you want to find some good murals, visit Cross Street just off Karangahape Road); however, one trend that is huge there – and elsewhere in NZ – is paintings on utility boxes.

A few artists do these, but my favourite was a guy called Paul Walsh who paints them with animals. He also gives his work really cool names like Awkward Seal, Student Kitten, and my favourite, Piggy Stardust.

I spotted numerous examples of these around town, particularly near K Road and in the CBD. Piggy Stardust is in Mount Eden, on the corner of View Road and Wynyard Road, so you could combine visiting him with a trip to the crater.

For a full map containing all of Auckland’s street art – murals, sculptures and the painted utility boxes, visit Outdoor Art NZ, who have everything listed.

10. Try a White Lady Burger

Eating from a burger van might sound like one of my less appealing suggestions for unusual things to do in Auckland. But trust me, taking a trip to The White Lady will not be a disappointment. These burgers are good.

The White Lady has been serving late-night sustenance to hungry Aucklanders since 1948. Yep, it was a food truck before they were a thing.

Yes, you’ll have to sit on a crate by the side of the road, and you might get a friendly hobo to come and join you – but you’ll also get a superb, freshly cooked-to-order burger up there with In-n-Out in our list of the world’s top burgers.

The Boyfriend was so enamoured he had two! Prices have increased slightly since our first visit. When we returned this time, a standard burger starts at NZ$14, and a cheeseburger costs $ NZ$16.

If you want to get very carried away, The White Lady item contains Beef Pattie, Scotch Steak, Melted Colby Cheese, Middle Bacon, Fried Egg, Grilled Pineapple, Fried Onion, Iceberg, Tomato for NZ$30!!!

The White Lady parks on the corner of Commerce Street and Fort Street from 7 pm to 4 am weekdays, and you’ll find her there 24-7 from Friday night to Sunday morning.

Find the menu and other details here. If you’d rather eat from a window than a van, you’ll also find them open from 11 am at St Kevin’s Arcade on Karangahape Road.

11. Go See The Fishies!

If the Swashbucklers stingray isn’t playing ball during your visit, you’re guaranteed to see things of an aquatic nature at the SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium.

This is another Auckland icon, beloved by families for generations – I don’t think you’ll meet a native Aucklander who didn’t go here as a child (or adult in my case!).

Walk through the shark tunnel, check out the rehabilitated turtles, and visit the penguins.

If seeing them from afar isn’t good enough, you can also book the Penguin Passport, an up-close encounter with the aquarium’s penguin family limited to just four people per session, or go for a snorkel in the shark tank (safely) by booking the Shark Cage swim.

It’s a perfect thing to do on a rainy day in Auckland.

Also, check out the fantastic shark bus that picks you up from locations around town.

Book your general entry ticket in advance here.

12. Walk The Pink Path

So you have an old motorway off-ramp that you’re not doing anything with right now – what do you do with it?

Well, if you’re Auckland Council, you paint it pink and turn it into a dedicated cycle and walking path.

Admittedly, it doesn’t exactly go anywhere functional – or pretty – but it does have a nice view of the Skytower and skipping along it singing ‘Follow the Pretty Pink Path’ to the tune of Follow the Yellow Brick Road kept me entertained for a good few hundred metres.

Trying to fit in so many unusual things to do in Auckland meant that I could only explore it during the day, but at night, it lights up – hence its name, Te Ara I Whiti, or The Lightpath!

Enter it from either East Street, near K Road, or Union Street, near the sculpture with the red poles.

13. Watch People Bungee Jump Off the Sky Tower

Oh come on, they’ve paid their pennies, they’ve donned their fetching blue jumpsuit and they’ve hurled themselves off NZ’s tallest building, falling 192m at 85km an hour in what’s kind of like a controlled bungee – they deserve some attention.

But you’re not going to stand on the street and ogle like all the other tourists, oh no.

You have the guide to unusual things to do in Auckland, so you’re going to make your way to the chic Glass Goose Bar and Eatery off Federal Street, grab a drink in hand, and either sit on the balcony or directly under the glass ceiling for a ringside view of the excitement.

See, this is the view, those white wires are the bungee…. You get extra points if you wave.

The Glass Goose is open seven days a week from noon until at least 1 am.

14. Jump Off – or Climb – the Harbour Bridge

Leaping off the Sky Tower not quite thrilling enough for you? How about jumping off part of the Auckland Harbour Bridge and, actually touching the water below?

The leap from Auckland Harbour bridge takes place from a pod underneath the girders and sees you jumping 50 metres toward the water – head first,or feet first – you choose.

The bungee is open to anyone over the age of 10. Make a booking in advance here.

Or, you can also climb the bridge to get a unique view of the city – bearing in mind you can’t walk across Auckland Harbour Bridge, this is definitely something unusual! This experience starts from the age of seven. Make a booking in advance here.

You can also book the two as a combo – which saves around $65 per adult. Find the option here.

Not surprisingly as NZ has a reputation for allowing you to leap off things and whizz around things at speed there are a few other options in Auckland for thrillseekers – you might also want to check out the Jetboat around the harbour. Or, you could go sailing on one of the America’s Cup Yachts (see more about that one here). Or, if you’re a rugby fan, how about taking a rooftop walk around the top of the famous Eden Park stadium.

Right, I hate heights so all of that is making me rather nervous – so, let’s go back to something I will do – eating treats!

15. Eat a Mega Croissant

I went to Luna Bakehouse as I’d seen they did soft serve ice cream in a croissant cone. I also went in June so, it was the middle of winter and I couldn’t see the soft serve machine – but, I’m quite glad as I meant I got to try one of their giant cream filled croissants instead – and it was amazing!

This one was stuffed with chocolate and hazelnut cream – and I might still be thinking about it!

Luna Bakehouse is located at 39 Elliot Street. It’s open from 8 am to 3 pm on weekdays, and 9 am to 3.30 pm on weekends.

The building behind it in this picture is Elliot Stables which is home to lots of different eateries – and a fantastic glass chandelier of a horse! It’s worth checking out if you’re looking for somewhere casual to eat in the evening. Like many things in Auckland, it closes early – you’ll be able to dine here from noon to 9 pm.

While I’m mentioning food places, if you do get caught out by early closing, head to Little Tiger Dumpling at 62a Federal Street – they are open until 10.30 pm on weekdays and 11.30pm on weekends. They are the nicest people and the portions are enormous.

16. Go Bowling in a Bar

Dr Rudi’s Rooftop Brewing Company is famous for a couple of things – its stunning view over Viaduct Harbour and the fact that it has a free bowling alley inside!

There are two lanes and you can now make bookings.

I admit, we did have a bit of a shock when we bought our first Auckland beers here on our 2025 trip, and it cost over NZ$30 for two pretty small glasses – but the view of the sunset is worth the money. We did go down to the cheaper bars underneath once it had set, though!

17. Find the Five Hearts of Auckland

I first heard about these on the Aucky Walky walking tour I took one Saturday morning.

Guide Liz showed us the heart in Fort Lane by local artist Sara Hughes – and then told us there were four more dotted around the city. Cue hunting – and yes, I found them all.

If you want to do your own treasure hunt, you’ll find them in Federal Street, Fort Street, Bledisloe Lane, Jellicoe Street and Lorne Street.

I checked them on this latest trip and they are all still there, although some of them are a little bit faded.

18. Meet Benjamin the Library Cat

The pretty suburb of Devonport is across the water from Auckland CBD, and it makes a nice half-day out if you fancy venturing a little further afield.

And while you’re here, meet Benjamin, the Library Cat.

Benjamin was a cat who adopted the library one day. Despite having owners nearby, he pretty much moved in and refused to go home. He’d be found wandering the nearby shops for pats, or sleeping in the stacks, or on the photocopier. When the library was redesigned in 2015, they even put in a cat flap for him!

Benjamin reached the ripe old age of 17, but sadly, his adventures got him into trouble in 2002, and he was hit by a car – but the local residents raised money to create this statue in his honour – and, now, it has outfits!

To meet Benjamin, take the ferry across to Auckland’s North Shore from Queen’s Wharf – they run every 15 minutes. Once you get off the ferry, walk right and follow the road up to the library – Benjamin lives outside in the park.

19. Ride a Segway

I am not to be trusted with wheels – I don’t drive cars, I hate bikes – but even I can work a Segway, and here you’ll get to ride one around Devonport on the 90 minute tour. You’ll see the small old town and head to out to one of the local beaches for some beautiful sea views.

Or, on the longer tour you can take it all the way up to the viewpoint at North Head, famous for it’s gun tunnels. This is a pretty steep walk so, having wheels isn’t a bad idea!

There are three tours a day in Summer and two in Winter. They depart from the Ferry Port in Devonport. Make a booking in advance here.

20. Drink Some Graham Norton Wine

Our favourite Irish chat show host has a range of wines in NZ. The story goes that the owner of Invivo Wine asked Norton if he’d like to try their wine, and he was so impressed that he started working with them, blending his own wines.

Now, he has an entire range, and it’s even sold in the pub in NZ!

I tried the Processo at the Patriot in Devonport after visiting Benjamin, and it’s lovely. I might have had a second one! The Patriot is also a pretty good place for lunch on your Devonport outing – I had the Seafood Chowder, which was very good, and The Boyfriend had the most enormous pie!

It’s probably best to do this one, after the Segway tour!

21. Look Up On Queen Street

As main thoroughfares in a city go, Auckland’s Queen Street is probably one of the least inspiring – well, that’s what you’d think if you just looked at ground floor level anyway.

So don’t.

Look up and you’ll see beautiful ornate facades, old signs and a sense of the city’s history that’s been obliterated by the bland chain shops that line the street down below.

Queen Street also has some pretty quirky facts about it.

Most of which I didn’t even know until I read this fabulous post on Queen Street from Albom Adventures.

If you’re looking for a few more unusual things to do in Auckland, definitely check it out – you’ll find out about the CBD ghosts, the Leaning Building of Auckland and the grisly secret of some markings at the harbour end of the street.

One Thing NOT to do in Auckland

While all of the above fun things are worth your time, one thing you might find listed on the Auckland map isn’t worth visiting. It’s called The Big Wheel and it’s down by the waterfront.

As this is in a part of Auckland that has been redeveloped, it’s totally feasible they’d have a Ferris Wheel. Thankfully, I realised that no, they don’t before I schlepped my butt down there – instead, the Big Wheel is just some old metal wheels.

Other people have been fooled though – there are some very upset people on Tripadvisor!

Older versions of this post also contained Auckland Fish Market in this section. I still kind of stand by this – as, I love actual markets and this isn’t really one. But, a refurb has now turned it into a dining area – so, if you want to go and eat fresh fish or shucked oysters, you might want to add it to your list.

What to Read Next

Most people who come to NZ don’t just stay in Auckland, and, if you’re one of them – or are just looking for some cool day trips from Auckland, we’ve got a couple of suggestions…

You might want to take a trip to Tirau, home to a road full of the most amazing quirky signs – and a few other intriguing sights. See more about Tirau here.

You go through Hamilton on the way to Tirau. And what I found there actually made me shout ‘stop the car’. IF you’re a Rocky Horror fan you need to see this.

Lastly, I still haven’t forgiven my Auckland friends for not mentioning The Blue Spring when I lived in the country, as then I could have gone more often. It’s one of the prettiest things I’ve ever seen.

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