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Best Landmarks in Auckland

, 12 Options Found

Piha Beach, on the wild Tasman coast, is famous for the Lion Rock vistas, black sand beaches, great surf and deadly rips. If you venture into the water, do so only between the lifeguard flags. Changing rooms, a shop and campground are available. If coming in summer, bring plenty of sunscreens and a hat as it can be blistering hot on the black sand. The beach is also spectacular on a wild, windy day. From north Piha, there are walking tracks to more secluded beaches.

Surrounded by the water, Waiheke Island is known to be the second-largest island of the Hauraki Gulf. Freckled with an abundance of caves, the island branches into several peninsulas, breaking up the coast into a series of tranquil bays. The island's beaches are spotless and a popular choice for family picnics. Visitors may also wander around the island along the various trails that riddle its cliffs and slopes. Waiheke houses many art galleries and sports facilities, as well as a cinema, a theater and various wineries. Waiheke Island's prime attractions include the Whakanewha Regional Park, the Waiheke Community Art Gallery, the Oneroa Bay, Onetangi Beach, the Cascades Waterfall and Pohutukawa Reserve.

The Manukau Heads Lighthouse is a historic beacon for ships entering the Manukau Harbor and offers spectacular panoramic views of the Tasman Sea and the Waitakere Ranges. After a jaunt on the lighthouse balcony, head out to the well-maintained grounds for a cozy picnic.The waters beneath the lighthouse provide refuge for Maui's Dolphin and if you're lucky, you may even spot one. A visit to the Manukau Heads Lighthouse is definitely recommended when in the city.

Also known as Maungakiekie, One Tree Hill is a terrestrial elevation which is characterized by typical volcanic features like scoria cones. This volcanic peak was once marked by a single 120-year-old Totara tree at the top, which was later cut down leaving only the stump to mark its existence. The land is now interspersed with a few trees which were later planted by the Tupuna Maunga Authority in 2016. The summit of Maungakiekie features a very prominent obelisk, fronted by the statue of a Māori warrior, it's lofty perch granting a panoramic view of the surroundings. Underneath the obelisk lies the burial place of Sir John Logan Campbell, who was actively involved in the construction of this memorial to the Māoris. An elevated swathe of open land, One Tree Hill is an ideal location for stargazing.

At 260 meters (850 feet), Rangitoto is Auckland's largest and youngest volcano. It last erupted 600 years ago and is covered in regenerating bush, (including some extensive Pohutukawa forests), and barren lava flows. Views from the summit are exquisite on a clear day, with vistas to Kawau Island to the north and Great Barrier and Little Barrier to the north-east. Access is provided by Ferry and a 45-minute walk up the well-maintained track to the summit. A tractor and trailer, booked in conjunction with the ferry, also goes to the summit.

Just a short walk east from the city center, Auckland Domain is New Zealand's oldest municipal park. Founded in 1840 by Governor Hobson, the Domain features the Auckland War Memorial Museum, an outdoor fernery and botanic The Wintergardens, a band rotunda (watch for free concerts on summer weekends), sculptures, lawn bowls, kiosks and more. The Domain is the location of the huge concerts such as Coca Cola Christmas in the Park when 300,000 people jam in for a night of music and fireworks.

Piercing the sky like a needle, the Sky Tower is known to be one of the tallest man-made structures in New Zealand and is a part of the SkyCity Auckland casino complex. To best experience the view from the top, visitors are provided with not one, but two observation decks that offer sweeping views of the city skyline. The first is at a height of 186 meters (610 feet) while the Skydeck is perched on the 60th floor, exactly below the main antenna, offering unrestricted views of Auckland's ever-expanding cityscape. The Sky Tower also features restaurants, bars and thrilling activities such as Sky Walk and Sky Jump. The Sky Walk involves a strolling a platform that encircles the tower at a height of 192 meters (629 feet) whereas the Sky Jump is for true adventurers, offering visitors a chance to leap off the Sky Tower while safely suspended by a wire that runs the length of the Sky Tower.

The Wynyard Quarter is being revamped and as a part of this endeavor, the Silo Park was built. It is raised on a former sand mining area that was used by McCallum Brothers (sand suppliers). After they vacated this space, it was transformed into a charming green respite, namely, the Silo Park. Against the backdrop of the panoramic Auckland waterfront, stands the huge Silo, a symbolic representation of the quarter's industrial heritage. Apart from that, it also features a sculpture, the Wind Tree by Michio Ihara (a Japanese artist). Silo park hosts concerts and performances on certain days. However, highlight of the place is outdoor movie screen, that shows movies regularly. For more details, call ahead.

One of the larger scoria cones in the Auckland volcanic field, Mount Eden 196 meters (643.04 feet) has three craters with extensive storage, defensive and habitation earthen remains. Known by Maori as Maungawhau, or hill of the whau tree, Mount Eden is the principal trig station for Auckland surveys. Accessible by both road and path, it offers extensive views out over Auckland into the Hauraki Gulf and beyond. Have a bus drop you off at the mountain, or take a 15-minute stroll from the train station. Nearby is the Government House, where the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's annual Summer Matinee Concert are organized.

New Zealand's longest bridge, the Harbour Bridge has stood over the sublime Waitemata Harbour since 1959 when it was completed. An engineering marvel that was ahead of its time, its box-truss design features eight different lanes. The bridge was built to connect the city's Saint Mary's Bay and Northcote neighborhoods, that were previously divided by the expansive Harbor that surrounds Auckland's northern shores. A symbol of the city's economic development, the Auckland Harbour Bridge spans 3,348 feet (1,020 meters).

The Ferry Building, in Edwardian Baroque style, was first opened in 1912 on land reclaimed from the harbor. Construction is of sandstone and brick with a Coromandel granite base. In recent years it has been elegantly refurbished for retail, (restaurant Harbourside Seafood Bar & Grill and Cin Cin on Quay can be found here) and office use, but still maintains its original function as the terminal for ferries to the North Shore and the Hauraki Gulf islands.

One of the largest and most important stadiums in New Zealand, Eden Park has been a host to many sporting events for the last 100 years. The stadium hosts rugby during winters and cricket during summers. The stadium has been a host to several cricket tournaments including the World Cup of 1992 and 2015. Apart from hosting various sporting events, the stadium is also utilized for various cultural, social and entertainment purposes.

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