The Luxury Travel Guide to Auckland

© NZ Pocket Guide

Luxury Activities in Auckland

Luxury Water Activities in Auckland

In the “City of Sails,” it’s almost mandatory to get out on the water for a sailing experience. Enjoy lunch with a view by embarking on an Auckland Harbour Lunch Cruise with Explore or amp things up a bit by taking the helm of an America’s Cup Yacht for the ultimate adventure around Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour! Find out more about Explore’s sailing experiences on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Get more activities like this in Top 10 Natural Attractions in Auckland.

Relaxing Activities in Auckland

For those seeking a little TLC, Auckland can certainly provide. One of the top luxury spas in Auckland is SO/ SPA located in the city centre. Experience a spa menu of some of the spa’s top treatments from all around the world, from Himalayan salt detoxes to Tibetan sound-healing rituals. One of their signature treatments is the “Experiential Volcanic Stone Treatment” – a much in a volcanic city such as Auckland.

For more ways to relax in Auckland, see Top 20 Golf Courses in Auckland.

Adventure Activities in Auckland

Some say that the Sky Tower offers the best views of the city. We beg to differ. Amp your sightseeing experience with a scenic flight over Auckland and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. There’s nothing like getting a birds-eye-view of the city’s volcanic cones, incredible city skyline and vibrant blue waters. Heletranz offers scenic helicopter tours around both Auckland city and Waiheke Island – get more details from Viator and Tripadvisor. Alternatively, fly from Auckland to Waiheke Island via seaplane with Auckland Seaplanes, which you can learn more about on Viator and Tripadvisor.

See more adventure activities in our 9 Adrenaline Activities in Auckland.

Culture Activities in Auckland

Take a tour around Tamaki Makaurau (the Maori name for Auckland) with an indigenous guide. Maori tours like TIME Unlimited Tours offer full-day tours to culturally and historically-significant locations in the Auckland region learning about the local myths and legends. The tour also includes hotel pick-up and lunch. Find out more about TIME Unlimited Tours on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Get more inspiration in 8 Cultural Experiences in Auckland.

Luxury Dining in Auckland

Wine Tasting in Auckland

With surrounding vineyards and a diverse population bringing in culinary experiences from all around the world, Auckland could well be argued as being the “foodie” capital of New Zealand. A must for wine-lovers is Waiheke Island, with almost 30 wineries and vineyards scattering the island. The list of luxury wine tour experiences is extensive, including Waiheke Wine Tours (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor), Wai Tiki Tours (on Viator and Tripadvisor), Enjoi (on Viator and Tripadvisor) and Ananda Tours (on Viator and Tripadvisor). All of which will take you to multiple cellar doors to sample fine wines and include a few welcome additions like olive grove visits and scenic lookouts that only the locals know about. Learn more about what to do on Waiheke Island in 9 Glorious Things to Do on Waiheke Island.

Unique Dining Experiences in Auckland

When it comes to unique dining experiences, be sure to add the Sky Tower’s Orbit restaurant to the list. Combine the experience with the SkyWalk – an adrenaline-pumping walk around the perimeter of the top of the Sky Tower! The SkyWalk and Dine experience ends with an indulgent meal in the tower’s revolving restaurant. Find out more about SkyWalk and Dine on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Fine Dining in Auckland

Auckland has a vibrant culinary scene, especially when it comes to fine dining. A few venues worth mentioning include Clooney in Freeman’s Bay, known for its creative combination of flavours including caramelised yoghurt, violet and pomegranate, nettle and sunflower and Valrhona – just to name a few. Harbourside in the city centre is your gourmet seafood restaurant with top dishes including roasted crayfish with Pernod butter. Kazuya on Eden Terrace is where you’ll find Japanese fine dining featuring beautifully-presented plates that you can’t help but photograph for hours before indulging. Check out more of our recommendations in 10 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Auckland.

All-weather Luxury Activities in Auckland

Because the weather can be wildly unpredictable in Auckland, and the rest of New Zealand for that matter, you may want to have a few “all-weather” activities up your sleeve – just in case. While the spa treatments and fine dining are an excellent option. Additional activities you may want to consider include trying your luck at the SkyCity Casino. This city centre casino beside the Sky Tower is the casino that never sleeps with a wealth of entertainment, from live bands and fabulous bars, to go along with your heart-pumping casino games.

Art enthusiasts, don’t miss the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, housing more than 15,000 pieces including international touring exhibitions and works from New Zealand’s top artists. Tours of the gallery are available at 11.30am and 1.30pm daily.

Finally, Auckland is the best place in New Zealand to find designer clothing. Shop brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior and Hugo Boss in Lower Queen Street, discover New Zealand designers in Britomart and discover the boutique shopping scene in Ponsonby. Find out more in our 5 Best Places for Shopping in Auckland CBD.

See more suggestions in 19 Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Auckland.