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Things to do in Auckland CBD

Our most recommended things to do in Auckland CBD

Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

1. Auckland Harbour 1.5-Hour Sailing Cruise

Enjoy Auckland, the City of Sails, as you join the yachts on Waitemata Harbor and enjoy the relaxed pace of harbor sailing. Set sail on a 50-foot cruising yacht for a spectacular sailing experience on the sparkling harbor waters. Meet your captain at the Auckland waterfront and be welcomed by the crew, who will supply you with weather-proof jackets if required. After a brief introduction accompanied by a safety briefing, depart Viaduct Habor to sail past the Sky Tower and Auckland Harbor Bridge for a 1.5-hour sightseeing tour. Enjoy engaging commentary from your skipper on Auckland, the home of the Americas Cup. Enjoy light refreshments, including a hot drink and a sweet treat, in the sunshine or below deck. Afterwards, set sail to cruise Auckland's sparkling Waitemata Harbor. If you like, help the crew sail the vessel or simply sit back and relax as you take advantage of photo opportunities. Glide past the Auckland Bridge, Westhaven Marina, the charming suburb of Devonport and the city skyline before returning to Auckland.

Auckland: Shuttle Between Airport & City CBD

2. Auckland: Shuttle Between Airport & City CBD

Enjoy a simple, stress-free journey between Auckland CBD and the Auckland Airport, both domestic and international terminals. After a streamlined meeting with your driver, either outside of your accommodation or your terminal, you’ll head to your destination with peace of mind that you’ll arrive on time and without delay. After meeting your driver, you’ll be escorted to the vehicle and driven to your destination, making 2 to 4 stops along the way. Enjoy a smooth ride in a modern, air-conditioned mini bus driven by a professional and friendly driver.

America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour

3. America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour

Join the crew on an America’s Cup yacht for a unique 2-hour tour from Auckland that gives you the chance to experience the sensation of competing in this world-famous racing meet. The America's Cup is the world's oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Experience this first hand by sailing these remarkable vessels on the harbor that hosted the America's Cup in 2000 and 2003. Feel the thrill of the wind in your face as you tack and jibe. These powerful and highly engineered race vessels are usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yacht owners, but this unique two-hour sailing experience offers everyone the opportunity to sail these grand prix racing machines. Set sail around Auckland’s stunning Waitemata Harbor and enjoy all the thrills of sailing in a proper racing yacht. Be transported to a world where the thrill of international sport meets the beauty of the sparkling sea. No sailing experience is required to participate. Take the helm and exert energy on the grinders, or simply sit back and enjoy the journey. Look back at the contrast of natural landscapes and city skyscrapers that line the harbour while you sail the seas.

Auckland City Small Group Morning Discovery Tour

4. Auckland City Small Group Morning Discovery Tour

Experience the best sights of Auckland City on a small group city tour. The morning tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights, plus see how Aucklanders live and play. After pick up from your central Auckland hotel, travel up Queen Street through Auckland’s central business district, past Auckland University, and through the inner city park 'The Domain'. Auckland is set on over fifty dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, known for its historic buildings, before heading over the Harbour Bridge to the North Shore. Here you can stroll on a beautiful beach with views out across the Waitemata Harbour to Rangitoto Island and where there is time for a coffee.  After a short drive through historic Devonport, continue up to the summit of Mount Victoria for stunning panoramic views of Auckland City and historic Devonport. Mount Victoria is Devonport's very own dormant volcano. Then, travel back over the Harbour Bridge to view Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink

5. Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink

Dine on Waitemata Harbor for a memorable experience in Auckland. Join a 2.5-hour sailing dinner cruise for a uniquely local experience with a relaxed, intimate and engaging atmosphere. Discover the city skyline and iconic highlights as they light up for the evening. Set sail while enjoying the city highlights and engaging commentary from your captain. Assist the crew or try your hand at steering the boat. Enjoy the breeze and relax with a drink, with ample space and seating above deck.  Set anchor in Westhaven Marina to enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner, supplied by top Viaduct restaurant Degree. Complement your meal with a selection of premium locally produced wine or beer. After dinner, marvel at the city views and as the sun sets to watch the night lights of the cityscape come alive.

Auckland: Ted Ashby Sailing Tour & Maritime Museum Ticket

6. Auckland: Ted Ashby Sailing Tour & Maritime Museum Ticket

Explore Auckland’s sparkling Waitematā Harbour aboard the New Zealand Maritime Museum’s heritage scow, Ted Ashby. Help hoist the sails or simply sit back and absorb stunning views of the city skyline as you cruise beneath the iconic Harbour Bridge. After your sailing experience, spend some time at New Zealand Maritime Museum and discover the genius of early Pacific navigation and the great voyages of exploration to Aotearoa through to Blue Water Black Magic, a gallery dedicated to our extraordinary story of innovative design, meticulous teamwork, outstanding leadership and New Zealand's international success in sailing.

Auckland: Maritime Museum Entry Ticket

7. Auckland: Maritime Museum Entry Ticket

Take a trip to the Maritime Museum and spend a few hours learning about one of the most maritime nations in the world. Go deep inside the stories and narratives of those affected by the sea through galleries, displays, special exhibitions, and more.  Discover the relationship between the sea and other factors such as immigration, trade, design, innovation, and leisure.  The Museum houses one of the nation’s most important heritage collections which covers the breadth of our relationship with the sea; from the Great Pacific Migration a thousand years ago to the cutting edge of modern technology and design used in America’s Cup and modern yachting. Suitable for all the family, there is something for everyone at the museum thanks to the poignancy of the personal connections and stories told here. 

Other Sightseeing Options in Auckland CBD

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What people are saying about Auckland CBD

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 715 reviews

A great sail out of the harbor. Beautiful boat. Used three sails. Real sailing and you can help as much as you like. The bay is beautiful. Had several sail-bys by the Kiwi Americas Cup team doing trial and training. Very cool. Four person crew, all talented, informative, fun, and friendly. I’d do it again. Good value.

Julia and her crew took us on an awesome adventure! This young crew were so professional, friendly and extremely skilled! We had such a fantastic sail around the beautiful Auckland waters! We wish we had time to do it again! Thank you!!!

Fantastic trip with a great crew and got to see the NZ team training at close quarters. Have been recommending this to everyone I’ve talked to since.

It is what it says on the tin. Really nice and enjoyable.

One of a kind excursion! Beautiful, exciting, fabulous!