We’ve already mentioned it in our accommodation section but a day trip to Waiheke Island should be on your Auckland to do list. Voted in the top 5 places to visit in 2016 by travel guide gurus the Lonely Planet, Waiheke Island is simply stunning. Just a short 45 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, you will soon feel a long way from the hustle and bustle of the city as you explore the wonderful vineyards on the island (there are over 30), discover the art trail or maybe take a zip line adventure. This place is as laid back as it gets so chill out for the day with a trip to Waiheke.

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Auckland is truly spoilt when it comes to regional parks. Heading out to one of these stunning regional parks is a great way of getting out of the city for a day and discovering there is more to Auckland than the shops and waterfront. Three of our favourites are situated north of the city; Long Bay Regional Park is located just north of the popular town of Browns Bay and is a great place to try your hand at paddle boarding or just kick back on the beach. Shakespear Regional Park is situated on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and is a 45-50 minute drive from the city or a similar time on the ferry. Offering amazing views back to the city, this is a beautiful, family-friendly park. The third and final park is Wenderholm just north of Orewa. With some great walking trails and sheltered beach, this is another classic Kiwi regional park.

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Getting out on the water should be high on your list of things to do in Auckland. A Whale & Dolphin Safari is the perfect way to explore the beautiful waters and hopefully spot some of the amazing and diverse marine life that calls the stunning Hauraki Gulf home. Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari is a popular choice with our GO Explorers, especially those who rent their cars with GO Rentals and score a 10% discount with our GO Play card. Learn from qualified marine researchers on board this 4.5-hour experience, while capturing special moments with the whales, dolphins and sea birds of the Hauraki Gulf.

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Auckland is one of New Zealand’s surfing hotspots and whether you are looking to surf the long breakers at Orewa or slightly further north of Auckland in the stunning Tawharanui Regional Park or perhaps you want to take on the challenge of the serious breakers on the wild west coast on beaches like Piha, Muriwai or Bethells you are in for a treat. Auckland is without a doubt one of the best places in New Zealand to surf and Piha is perhaps the most famous surfing beach around. Whether you surf or not, it’s worth the trip out west to check out the awesome black sand beaches and watch the surfers in action. Find out more in our blog.

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If you are looking for something a bit more laid back and a cultural fix, then the Auckland War Memorial Museum is a great place to head out for a few hours. Located in Auckland’s beautiful Domain, the Auckland War Memorial Museum has heaps going on all year round with some fantastic exhibits for the whole family. Some of the most interesting exhibits include giant whale bones, Polynesian artefacts and a live Maori performance. A visit to the museum is a trip back in time. With a lovely café on site and the opportunity to explore the gardens in the Domain, you can really make a day out of a trip to the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

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A defining feature of Auckland’s skyline are is the volcanoes that are dotted all around the city. It is estimated that there are around 55 volcanoes in Auckland although this number varies from as low as 48 to as high as 60. As well as providing a stunning and unique backdrop to the city landscape, they are also fantastic for exploring, giving you some amazing views over the Auckland region and beyond. The most famous and iconic is Rangitoto with is distinctive symmetrical cone and stunning location just off the coast. A short ferry ride will take you across to Rangitoto Island from where you can climb to the summit for great views back towards the city, North Shore, north of Auckland and across to the Coromandel Peninsula. Other popular volcanoes which are great for exploring include Mount Eden, One Tree Hill, Mount Victoria over in Devonport and even the Auckland Domain.

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Auckland is spoilt for choice when it comes to amazing golf courses. Whether you are staying close to the city or you want to travel further afield, within an hour of the CBD you will find some of New Zealand’s best golf courses and we have plenty to choose from! Staying close to the city, Titirangi is perhaps the jewel in Auckland’s golfing crown. Designed by world-renowned golf architect Alistair McKenzie, the course is a short 15 minute drive from the city centre and welcomes visitors. Heading further afield, Muriwai on the west coast is one of New Zealand’s best examples of a traditional links course and 45 minutes north of Auckland you will find Gulf Harbour Country Club, home of the prestigious World Cup of Golf in the late 1990s as well as hosting the NZ Open. You can find out more about Auckland’s golf courses in our blog.

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There are few major cities in the world that don’t have an aquarium and Auckland is no different. Kelly Tarlton’s Sealife Aquarium is a great place to head for the morning or afternoon and is packed full of amazing sea life including the world’s largest Antarctic penguin colony exhibit. If you are looking for something a bit more daring, Animal Adventures offers you a unique and thrilling opportunity to get up close with huge sharks in their Shark Dive Xtreme and Shark Cage experience. This is a great place for the whole family and Kelly Tarlton’s is situated close to the beautiful Mission Bay so you really make a day of your trip around the bays. The best news is that Kelly Tarlton’s is a GO Play partner so you can save 5% when you rent with GO.

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Auckland has some pretty unique experiences and the opportunity to get out in one of the America’s Cup sailing yachts is right up there with the best of them. Running every day, jump on board and take the helm of one of these amazing yachts as you speed through the waters around Auckland. Auckland is not known as the City of Sails for no reason and the rich America’s Cup heritage is partly behind that name. You can get as involved as you want and no sailing experience is necessary. This is a truly thrilling experience and one you will not forget. Our top tip is to take a 2pm sailing on a Thursday or Saturday in the summer months when you can take part in an America’s Cup Match Race where you will go head to head with another yacht. This experience is another one on our GO Play programme and you can save 10% with GO Rentals. Boom!

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