Jordan McCraeLet’s be honest, no one wants to be THAT person scrolling through envy-inducing photos of Auckland’s stunning vistas while stuck on the sofa. It’s time to level up your travel game!
Consider this your personal guide to the best views in Auckland – the ones that make you go “whoa” and set your camera into overdrive.
This guide doesn’t just show you where to look, but where to stand for those jaw-dropping views. Forget about admiring from afar, it’s time to step into the frame.
Mount Eden (Maungawhau)
– Media credit to mookie_kayam
Location: Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
How to get here: See directions here
You know that feeling when you find the perfect lookout, and the world seems to stretch out before you? That’s Mount Eden in a nutshell. As Auckland’s highest natural point, it delivers a view that’ll make your jaw drop.
Here, The Sky Tower becomes a mere needle in the cityscape, the Waitematā Harbour shimmers with boars, and Rangitoto Island stands like a sentinel in the distance.
Plus, that deep, grass-covered crater at the summit? It adds a dose of ancient history – a silent reminder of the volcanic forces that sculpted this land.
Piha Beach
Location: Auckland 0772, New Zealand
How to get here: See directions here
Piha Beach isn’t your standard postcard-perfect view with soft sands and calm waters. Instead, it’s a wild, untamed spectacle that’ll stick with you long after you leave.
Think vast stretches of black sand, waves crashing in with force, and rugged cliffs like giant guardians on either side. The Tasman Sea stretches to the horizon, uninterrupted, reminding you of how vast the world is.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, a hike up Lion Rock delivers an even more epic perfect perspective. It’s the perfect spot for those classic windswept hair and arms-outstretched photos!
Mount Victoria
– Media credit to yianni_photography
Location: Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand
How to get here: See directions here
Want to feel like a giant overlooking the city of Auckland? Mount Victoria is your go-to place. Here, boats on Waitematā Harbour turn into toys and Rangitoto Island shrinks on the horizon.
This is the ultimate place for an “I see everything” view, and it’s not just about the panorama! This grassy hilltop is packed with history – imagine the stories those old signal stations and hidden bunkers could tell.
Think of it as your lookout tower, where you get the best seat in the house to watch Auckland unfold.
One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie)
– Media credit to locationsoul
Location: One Tree Hill, Auckland 1051, New Zealand
How to get here: See directions here
You won’t just see Auckland from One Tree Hill – you’ll understand its unique geography. The cityscape is nestled amongst dozens of extinct volcanic cones – a testament to the region’s fiery history.
Here, you’ll spot landmarks like Mount Eden and even get a bird’s eye view of the vast, crater-filled domain of Rangitoto Island across the water. This perspective reveals how the landscape itself shaped the city.
Additionally, the hill’s historical significance for Māori as one of the largest pā (fortified villages) adds a layer of depth to your experience.
Rangitoto Island
– Media credit to doexcursion
Location: Auckland 1010, New Zealand
How to get here: See directions here
Rangitoto Island doesn’t just give a view like no other, it can even be the view itself! Its symmetrical volcanic cones jut directly from the sea – a stark and stunning reminder of the fiery forces that shaped this landscape.
Unlike other viewpoints, Rangitoto’s allure is all about raw and untamed nature. And the best part? You don’t just get to admire this place from afar – its hiking trails and lava caves invite you in for a closer look and a whole different kind of adventure.
Waiheke Island
– Media credit to tylerhofinga
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
How to get here: See directions here
Also renowned as New Zealand’s “wine island”, Waiheke Island boasts over 20 boutique wineries. The island’s fertile soils nurture vineyards that have full-bodied reds, many of which offer tastings against panoramic vistas of the Hauraki Gulf.
But this place is not just for the wine enthusiasts. It’s also got views that’ll make you want to snap a picture for your Instagram feed.
And for those looking to soak up the sun, the island’s beaches, such as Onetangi and Palm Beach, offer golden sands and clear water that’s ideal for swimming, kayaking, or simply lounging with a good book.
Auckland Domain
– Media credit to tripideas.nz
Location: Park Road, Parnell, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 301 0101
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
How to get here: See directions here
Think of Auckland Domain as a history buff’s playground with a killer view. Imagine sprawling green lawns and shady trees – perfect for a lazy Sunday picnic – all tucked inside a massive volcano crater. Talk about a conversation starter!
Here, you’ll stumble upon relics of its military past. But just when you think it’s all about battles and bunkers, BAM! You turn a corner, and Auckland unfolds before you: sparkling harbors, a cityscape reaching for the sky, and those iconic volcanic cones that dot the landscape.
Sky Tower
– Media from skytower_nz
Location: Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 363 6000
Opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM
How to get here: See directions here
Standing tall at 328 meters, the Sky Tower is a modern engineering delight that boasts three observation decks at varying heights.
The main observation level sits at 186 meters with floor sections made of thick glass for those daring enough to look straight down. Then there’s the Sky Deck, perched at 220 meters, offering views that stretch up to 82 kilometers in the distance.
And for the thrill seekers? The Sky Tower is a veritable playground. The SkyWalk and SkyJump offer adrenaline-pumping activities that allow you to experience Auckland from an entirely different angle – whether it’s walking around the tower’s exterior or jumping off it.
North Head Historic Reserve
– Media credit to visitauckland
Location: 18 Takarunga Road, Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 379 6476
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
How to get here: See directions here
North Head isn’t the kind of place where you just stand around admiring a pretty view. It’s got stories, and let’s be honest some of them are seriously dramatic.
Imagine: volcanic eruptions over 50,000 years ago? Check. Māori settlers having the best views in town? Check. Military types getting paranoid for centuries and digging tunnels everywhere? Check, check, check!
So while you’re soaking in the Hauraki Gulf panorama, remember – you’re standing on a natural fortress with a history wilder than a reality TV show.
Shakespear Regional Park
– Media credit to damao_haha
Location: 1501 Whangaparaoa Road, Army Bay, Auckland 0930, New Zealand
Contact: +64 9 366 2000
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
How to get here: See directions here
Want to trade Auckland’s bustle for birdsong and sea breezes? Shakespear Regional Park is your ticket. Here, the city skyline fades into the distance, replaced by rolling hills tumbling down to the sea, and those iconic Hauraki Gulf views you could stare at all day.
Plus, this place is filled with hidden beaches and native bushes filled with the good kind of squawking (birds, not your grumpy neighbor). But Shakespear Regional Park isn’t just about zoning out. It’s a conservation win with a pest-proof fence.
So, whether you crave a history-laced hike with cliff-top views, a picnic invaded by curious birds, or simply the chance to remember the sky is bigger than downtown, Shakespear delivers.
