Here are the Five Coolest Things To Do In Auckland and Rotorua New Zealand that we found to do. If you love adventure, culture, and nature, then you should definitely visit New Zealand. The country is full of amazing attractions and activities that will make your trip unforgettable. Two cities to visit in New Zealand are Auckland and Rotorua.

Auckland is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand, where they can enjoy the vibrant nightlife, world-class museums, and stunning harbor views. You can also take a day trip to the nearby islands, such as Waiheke or Rangitoto, or join a dolphin and whale watching cruise.

Rotorua is the geothermal wonderland of New Zealand, where you can witness the incredible power of nature in the form of geysers, hot springs, and mud pools. There is a grove of California Redwood Trees just outside the city. You can also learn about the rich Māori culture and history at places like Te Puia or Tamaki Māori Village. Auckland and Rotorua are only about 225 kilometers (140 miles) apart, so you can easily travel between the two cities by car, bus, or train.

My wife, Mathilda, our son Dustin, and I make the journey to Auckland, New Zealand. We are here for only six-days and will try to see and do the coolest things we can see and do in or near Auckland, New Zealand. We land in the Auckland International Airport and have a small rental SUV for the six days. Come join us and see what we find in New Zealand!

Let’s Go!

Number #5: Auckland Explorer Hop On, Hop Off Bus

The first thing we did on our first full day in Auckland is get tickets for the Auckland Explorer Hop On, Hop Off Bus. If you are looking for a fun and effortless way to explore Auckland, you might want to hop on the Auckland Explorer Bus. This hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour lets you discover the city’s top attractions at your own pace. You can choose a 24 or 48-hour pass and enjoy unlimited rides on the modern double-decker buses. Some of the highlights you can see and do on the Auckland Explorer Bus are:

Sky Tower: Get a panoramic view of Auckland from the tallest building in New Zealand.
Auckland Art Gallery: Admire over 15,000 artworks from local and international artists.
Albert Park: A large public park in Auckland with the Victorian Fountain, the floral clock, the statues of Queen Victoria and Sir George Grey. You can also find some exotic trees and plants, such as palms, magnolias, and roses.
Newmarket: Shop till you drop at this trendy and upscale shopping district.
Auckland War Memorial Museum: Learn about the history and culture of New Zealand and its people.
Holy Trinity Cathedral: Visit this stunning Anglican church with its Gothic architecture and stained-glass windows.
Parnell Village: Explore this charming historic village with its cafés, galleries, and boutiques.
Bastion Point: Enjoy a scenic walk along the coast and see the memorial for Michael Joseph Savage, the first Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand.
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium: Discover the amazing marine life of New Zealand and beyond.

The Auckland Explorer Bus is a terrific way to see and do more in Auckland. You can hop on and hop off as many times as you like and listen to the entertaining commentary in English along the way. Do not miss this opportunity to experience the best of Auckland!

Number #4: Take the Waiheke Island Ferry and Explore the Island

Waiheke Island is a beautiful destination with stunning beaches, vineyards, art galleries, and more. You can enjoy the scenic views of the Hauraki Gulf as you cruise on the 45-minute ferry ride to Waiheke Island from the Auckland Harbor. On our second morning in Auckland, we took the ferry to Waiheke Island and explored the island at our leisure.

We are on the island on the second day of our trip, and we take the Waiheke Island Explorer Bus shortly after our ferry trip ended. Just as in Auckland, the Explorer bus here has different stops and goes from one end of the island and then back to the harbor to catch the ferry. We take the bus all the way to the end of Waiheke Island and stop to enjoy the beach and will grab a bite to eat at Charlie Farleys Beach Bar!

Waiheke Island has a great climate to produce wine and our next stop was at Mudbrick Vineyard, one of the local wineries, to try some of the local wines ourselves! We order two tastings and share the different wines between the three of us. They have both white and red varieties, and both were delicious.

After our wine tastings, we got back on the Explorer Bus and went to the Island Harbor to make our 45-minute ferry ride back to the Auckland Harbor. We have a wonderful time exploring the island and tomorrow we take a drive to Rotorua for new adventures!

Number #3: Whakarewarewa Geothermal Area, Rotorua

We leave our hotel in downtown Auckland, and I drive our rental SUV to Rotorua for the next two days. We have a hotel overlooking the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Area, and from our hotel room’s large windows we can constantly see the steam rising from the hot springs and geysers. What incredible views!

Whakarewarewa Geothermal Area is a place in Rotorua, New Zealand, where you can see the amazing natural wonders of steaming hot springs, bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, colorful mineral deposits, and geysers. It is also a living Māori village, where people have been living for hundreds of years and using the geothermal energy for cooking and heating. The most famous geyser in Whakarewarewa is Pohutu, which means “big splash” and can shoot water up to 30 meters high!

The next morning, we take the self-guided tour of Whakarewarewa that lets you explore the amazing geothermal features of this unique place at your own pace. It is raining, and I have to leave the Sony camera in our hotel room, but I have the waterproof GoPro that takes both video and photos, so that is my camera for today. We spend two hours on the walkways looking at the sights and waiting for the unpredictable big geyser to erupt. Unfortunately, we did not see the geyser erupt, but the walk and sights are still amazing!

This area of New Zealand gets a lot of rain, and with the steam, the cloudy day, and the lush green ferns, plants, and trees everywhere this area looked like something out of Jurassic Park. Just waiting for a dinosaur to pop out of the jungle! The Whakarewarewa Geothermal Area was a wonderful place to spend a few hours walking around.

Number #2: Redwood Tree Walk, Rotorua

Our next stop is the Redwood Tree Walk. It is still raining, so I am using the GoPro as my camera for both video and still photos. There is an entry fee to go on the Tree Walk, so we pay for the three of us and explore the Redwood Grove from around 30 feet (10 m) above the ground.

The Redwood Tree Walk in Rotorua is a unique and fun way to experience the beauty of the native forest. You can walk along a series of suspension bridges that connect twenty-eight giant redwood trees, with some trees over 100 years old. The walk is about 0.4 miles (0.7 m) in distance and takes about thirty minutes to complete. You can enjoy the views of the forest canopy and hear birds singing while you learn about the history and ecology of the area. The walk is open during the day and at night, when it is illuminated by hundreds of lanterns.

In spite of the rain, this is a great place to explore and find out about the history of the Redwood Trees in New Zealand.

Number #1: Auckland Sky Tower

Our Number 1 stop is the Auckland Sky Tower! Today, I’m going to tell you about one of the most iconic landmarks in New Zealand: the Auckland Sky Tower. If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful country, you definitely don’t want to miss this amazing attraction.

The Auckland Sky Tower is a 1,075 feet (328 m) tall tower that offers stunning views of the city and its surroundings. You can see up to 50-miles (80 km) in every direction on a clear day, and even spot some islands in the distance. The tower has three observation decks, each with different features and activities. You can enjoy a delicious meal at the revolving restaurant or have a drink at the sky bar.

The tower is not only a tourist attraction, but also a symbol of Auckland’s culture and identity. It was built in 1997 as part of a casino complex, and it hosts various events and shows throughout the year. The tower is also lit up in different colors to celebrate special occasions, such as holidays, festivals, or sports victories.

At the top, we eat a delicious three-piece meal and dessert afterward. At the same time, we have beautiful 360-Degree views of the city in the nighttime. The Auckland Sky Tower is our top visit in New Zealand!

More adventures upcoming in our blogs of our recent trip to New Zealand and Australia!