Afternoon / Day Trip Recommendations
Below you can find a list of activities, beaches and general places to visit during your stay in Auckland, curated by the conference Social Committee
Climb Rangitoto
Rangitoto (which means “bleeding sky” in te reo Māori) is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf, not far from downtown Auckland. It erupted about 500 years ago, and now contains the largest forest in the world of pōhutukawa (commonly known as the New Zealand Christmas tree, which you will see blooming with its bright red flowers all around Auckland). The island is teeming with native bird life, and has easily explored lava caves. Rangitoto can be reached by a short 30 minute ferry ride from the Auckland Ferry Terminal.
On weekdays, ferries leave for Rangitoto at 9:10am, 10:30am, and 12:15pm, and depart the island at 12:45pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm. Buy tickets here. Make sure you keep track of time and don’t miss the last ferry. The summit track is a two hour return walk, and you will have enough time if you get the 12:15pm ferry to the island, walk to the summit, enjoy the view, and walk back down again.
Please note that the McKenzie Bay Road is a longer walk, and the Coastal Track is longer still and can be challenging for some. There is no water or food on the island. Take lots of water, and lots of sunblock.
By Bruce Hayward – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Visit the vineyards of Waiheke Island
Waiheke (which means “trickling waters” in te reo Māori) is an island in the Hauraki Gulf, not far from downtown Auckland. The island is famed for its many vineyards. You can get the ferry there from the Auckland Ferry Terminal with Fullers, who also offer a vineyard tour that includes tasting in several wineries . Fullers also has a Hop-On Hop-Off explorer bus. You can also explore the vineyards with an e-bike and enjoy a tour around the island with some stunning views. An e-bike can be rented through Fullers, or rent an e-bike with local rental services. Anada Tours offers premium tours of the wineries. Lastly, the Mudbrick Vineyard, one of the island’s most famous, is a 45 minute walk from the ferry terminal with beautiful views. More information on the walk can be found here.
Explore the volcanoes of Auckland
The Auckland Volcanic Field is home to some 53 volcanoes. Many of these are easily accessed from downtown Auckland. You can climb the highest volcano in Auckland, Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill, and explore the nearby Cornwall Park. Maungawhau/Mount Eden is the closest volcano to downtown Auckland. Both offer views across the whole city. Slightly further afield are Ōwairaka/Mount Albert and Māngere Mountain. You could also catch the ferry to Devonport to climb Maungauika/North Head and explore its WWII bunkers and gun emplacements. Takarunga/Mount Victoria is not far.
By Etherbug, Alan Collins – Own work, CC BY 3.0,
By http://www.freenzphotos.com, CC BY-SA 3.0 nz,
Auckland waterfront
Journey along the waterfront of Auckland to Ōrākei Mission Bay beach, and further along to Kohimarama and St. Heliers. Climb up to Bastion Point for beautiful views of the harbour, or stop at any of the bars and restaurants along the way.
Take the ferry to Devonport
Auckland’s North Shore is a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland. You can explore Devonport Village, where there are many cafes and restaurants, and take a walk from Torpedo Bay up to the summit of North Head for beautiful views of the Harbour. Cheltenham Beach is then not far away, and after a short walk to Narrow Neck Beach, you can walk all the way along the coast to Takapuna Beach. Takapuna Village also has many places to eat and drink. You can then get a bus back to downtown Auckland.
By Ingolfson – Self-photographed, Public Domain,
By Iswzo – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
Museums, galleries, and more
In the Auckland Domain, just a short walk from the conference venue, you will find the Auckland War Memorial Museum, full of amazing exhibits on New Zealand’s early Polynesian history, its native wildlife, Auckland’s volcanic field, and much more! In downtown Auckland you will also find the Auckland Art Gallery and the New Zealand Maritime Museum. A short bus trip away is the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) and Auckland Zoo. A short bus trip along Auckland’s waterfront will take you to Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium. The Botanical Gardens in South Auckland are highly recommended and have a wide range of native flora.
Get the ferry to Gulf Harbour and explore Shakespear Regional Park
From the Auckland Ferry Terminal, get the ferry to Gulf Harbour and then catch the 988 bus to Shakespear Regional Park. The regional park contains many easy walks and amazing views over the harbour. It is also surrounded by a pest-proof fence, and so the park is teaming with native birds. More information about the park can be found here and here. You will have to get the bus back to the ferry terminal. The last bus back to the Gulf Harbour ferry terminal departs from near the park entrance at 5:15pm. Make sure you don’t miss it!
By KazzaMiller – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
Little Creatures
The pub of the day for Wednesday is Little Creatures, located in Hobsonville. Get the ferry there from the Auckland Ferry Terminal, and enjoy their brewery and food!
By Follash – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
Explore the wild west coast beaches
On the other side of the Waitākere Ranges are numerous beaches famed for their wild and rugged appearance. These include Piha, Te Henga/Bethells Beach, and Muriwai Beach. Near Muriwai Beach is a famous colony of Australian gannets. Muriwai Beach also has a surf school. Some guided tours are offered to these beaches, including by Bus and Beach, which offers a Wilderness Tour that departs downtown Auckland at 12:30pm. Great Sights also offers tours, and a “luxury” tour is offered by New Zealand Tours. Otherwise, you can rent a car to access these beaches. The waters at these beaches are notorious and can be quite dangerous.
Hike in the Waitākere or Hunua Ranges
Just outside of Auckland are the Waitākere and Hunua Ranges, covered in native New Zealand bush. Both ranges contain many walks of varying difficulty and length. In the Waitākere Ranges there is the one-hour Mercer Bay Loop. Make sure you take all the food and water you will need. You will need to rent a car to access these walks. Find more information about the Hunua Ranges here
By Robin Capper, CC BY-SA 2.0,
By Robert Linsdell. CC BY 2.0,
Kayak Auckland’s harbour
Many services offer guided sea kayaking tours of the various parts of Auckland’s Harbour. Check out Auckland Sea Kayaks for more ideas.
Tiritiri Matangi
Tiritiri Matangi (meaning “tossed by the wind” in te reo Māori) is an island bird sanctuary, home to some of New Zealand’s rarest and most unique endemic birds, including tīeke, korimako, kōkako, hihi, and more! This island is a unique place with many beautiful walks. A ferry runs only once a day, at 9am Wednesday to Friday, and 8:30am Saturday and Sunday. Get your ferry ticket here [https://www.exploregroup.co.nz/auckland/tiritiri-matangi-island/], where you can also book a guided walk. Find out more here.
By Avenue – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,
By Tom Hall, CC BY 2.0,
Go on an adventure to Hobbiton
A two-hour drive from Auckland is Middle-Earth! The film location of the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit trilogies can be explored with a guided tour, and various experiences are offered. Information on organised tours can be found here, or you can access it by car.
