Discover Auckland: views, art and green paths
Accommodation in Auckland
Auckland brings together very different sides of city life: views from high above at the Sky Tower, art with Māori and Pacific perspectives, and glasshouses and native forest in Auckland Domain. When planning your stay, it’s not one single attraction that matters most, but the mix of experiences you want to enjoy. Views, cultural stories and creative activities for children each add their own touch and can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.
Sky Tower: views and an exposed walkway
At the Sky Tower, the height is part of the experience. An admission ticket gives you access to three observation decks: Main Observation at 186 metres, The Lookout at 192 metres and Sky Deck at 220 metres above street level. These three levels give you clear vantage points from which to take in Auckland. For a different perspective, try the SkyWalk: it takes you along an exposed outdoor walkway with no handrails beside a 192-metre drop. Unlike the observation decks, the focus here is on walking along the open walkway.
A bus stop is a one-minute walk from the Sky Tower, and on-site parking is available at SKYCITY. Check the latest options before you arrive.
Art and Māori perspectives
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is home to more than 17,500 works of art. These include outstanding works by Māori and Pacific artists, as well as international collections of paintings, sculptures and prints spanning the 11th century to the present day. This brings together different cultural perspectives and a long sweep of art history. General collection tours are offered on weekdays at 1:30 pm and on the first Saturday of the month at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm. Check the times before your visit.
For families, the gallery’s Creative Learning Centre offers a dedicated point of interest: its family-friendly program includes hands-on activities where children can create art. Another Māori perspective is presented in Ihi, a large-scale video installation by Reihana in the lobby of the Aotea Centre. It tells the story of the world’s creation from a Māori perspective.
In Wynyard Quarter, the Silo Park Art Trail is a waterfront path lined with artworks whose individual stories are inspired by Māori culture. Cultural stories take different forms here: a large-scale video installation, an art collection and a waterside trail.
Glasshouses and native forest in Auckland Domain
The Winter Gardens in Auckland Domain consist of two large glasshouses with plants from temperate or tropical climates. The gardens also include an enclosed courtyard with a fishpond and fountain. For a different experience, a short forest trail winds through a hilly area of native forest and offers views across Auckland. The glasshouses and forest trail each offer something different: carefully arranged plant displays on the one hand, and a path through native forest on the other.
Choosing accommodation based on your experiences
First, think about what you want to shape your stay: views from the Sky Tower observation decks, art and cultural stories, or a combination of the Winter Gardens and forest trail in Auckland Domain. If you’re travelling with children, the family-friendly Creative Learning Centre offers a specific creative activity; other experiences each appeal to different interests. That way, your choice is guided by the plans you have in mind, rather than just a general impression of the city.
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Return to the main travel overview: Auckland.
