Auckland - City of Sails
Viaduct Harbour
While Team New Zealand held the America's Cup, this area became established as one of Auckland's hot spots, and remains a major dining and nightlife precinct.
- Harbour Tours
Take a water taxi tour of the luxury marina, or a cruise or charter to explore Auckland's beautiful harbour.
- The Tepid Baths
Swim some laps or relax in the sauna at Auckland's famous baths, with their fully equipped gym, training pool, spa, steam room and café.
- The New Zealand National Maritime Museum
Check out the country's fascinating maritime history or take a cruise aboard one of the museum's fleet of historic vessels.
- Waterfront Promenade
A pleasant walk with brass plaques detailing the area's history, and a wide range of waterfront cafés and restaurants.
Harbour Cruises
- Fullers Ferries
Fullers run a two-hour coffee cruise, which takes in the harbour highlights via Devonport, Rangitoto and Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World.
- Riverhead Ferry
A leisurely cruise including a meal and a stop at NZ's oldest tavern. Bookings essential.
- Pride of Auckland
Explore Auckland's beautiful harbour on a sailing cruise, with a complimentary free visit to the NZ Maritime Museum.
- NZL40
Experience the city of sails onboard an America's Cup grand prix racer.
Tamaki DriveHeading east, Tamaki Drive offers a scenic journey along the city's waterfront, linking a series of swimming beaches and providing a popular venue for joggers, walkers and rollerbladers.
Mission Bay Located on Tamaki Drive is Mission Bay - a bustling seaside village with lively cafés and restaurants. It's a popular brunch spot at weekends when the cafés are at their busiest, and has a pleasant promenade and a beachfront park.
- Mission Bay Beach
Have a seaside picnic at Mission Bay then enjoy a cooling swim at this golden sand beach.
- Boating
Hire a windsurfer or catamaran during the summer months and experience the city of sails from the water.
- Rollerblading
Go rollerblading or jogging along the beachfront promenade and mix with the city's locals.
- Old Mission House
Enjoy a meal at this historic building, built during the 1850s from stone brought across from Rangitoto Island.
- Bastion Point
Drive or walk up to nearby Bastion Point, an ideal spot for a picnic with lovely memorial gardens (dedicated to former prime minister Joseph Savage) and panoramic harbour views.
- Berkeley Cinema
Check out this art deco-style cinema, built in 1937.
St Heliers
East of Mission Bay is the seaside village of St Heliers, with its pleasant sand and shell beach and a range of seaside cafés and restaurants. Catamarans and bicycles can be hired on the beach during summer weekends and daily during the school holidays.
- Outdoor Discoveries
Day tours to Rangitoto Island, leaving from the boat ramp beside the changing sheds. There is also a half-day tour to Browns Island, a small volcanic island with superb city views and a good beach.
- Seaside Cafés
Enjoy a relaxed lunch at one of the many cafés.
- St Heliers Beach
Take a swim or a walk along this pleasant beach, lined with pohutukawa trees.
- Walking
Walk around the waterfront to Mission Bay and enjoy the scenic harbour views, or walk east around the rocks to some of the more secluded coves.
Getting There Viaduct Harbour is within easy walking distance of the central city. To visit Mission Bay or St Heliers, catch Stagecoach bus 767 or 769 from platform 1b at the Downtown Bus Terminal, or pick up an Explorer Bus from your hotel. Alternatively, you can walk the waterfront promenade to Mission Bay in about 45 minutes, starting from Quay Street. For further information about buses, phone Rideline on 09 366 6400.