Auckland Sightseeing and Attractions

Auckland is one of the most scenic cities in the Southern Hemisphere: framed by mountains and the sea, you don’t have to go far to glimpse the beauty of nature. The great news is that Auckland’s foremost tourist attractions – the ones which will let you in on the secrets and history of the city – often do double-duty as prime sightseeing spots so you can get your fill of culture and the sights at the same time. With so much to see, collect a rental car from Omega’s CBD or Auckland Airport car hire locations and explore to your hearts content with our unlimited kilometre rates.

For example, One Tree Hill and Cornwall Park bring together one of Aotearoa’s most important heritage sites – the vestiges of a pre-settler Maori pa – with a phenomenal 360-degree view of central Auckland. With well-established walking and biking tracks up and around the hill, this is an optimal spot for outdoor adventurers – and better yet, the Park’s trustees put on seasonal events and sports for the public’s benefit.

For a break from shopping in the CBD, wander down to Viaduct Harbour. Since being developed from a commercial harbour to a leisure hub for tourists and locals alike, Viaduct Harbour has become a favourite haunt for those who want to spend an hour or two wining and dining while looking out onto the cityscape. From there, perhaps make your way to Karangahape Road. Whether you choose to do so at night to explore the clubs and red light district, or during the day to get a better view of its galleries and fashion stores, no trip to Auckland is complete without a stroll down the infamous K Road.

If you’re a little sick of the city, retreat to Auckland Domain, and specifically, its Wintergardens. The Wintergardens are a historic botanical feature, opened way back in 1913 and designed in the Victorian style. Marble statues and glass houses are just some of the features you’ll come across when strolling through the gardens – all with the luxurious scent of flora, to boot.

Another valuable site framing Auckland’s CBD is Mount Eden-Maungawhau, the city’s highest volcanic cone. From the top of Mt Eden, you’ll have a birds-eye view of both harbours, as well as a bevy of nearby attractions to visit if you feel so inclined (the Auckland War Museum, Aotea Square, and Queen Street are just a stone’s throw below the mountain).

Travel beyond the central city to North Head Historic Reserve, located in Devonport, which presents the opportunity to take a self-guided tour through tunnels seminal to New Zealand’s coastal defence history. If you want to go even further afield, jump into your Auckland hire car and journey North to Puhoi, a picturesque settlement which retains many of its original 19th century features.