10 Things to Do in Auckland at Night

The city of Auckland in New Zealand is a place that invites you to discover it completely and at any time. In its streets you will find a number of tourist destinations with a particular charm and, at dusk, the city quickly lights up creating a vibrant atmosphere and different perspectives to contemplate.

For example, among the best things to see and do in Auckland at night is to take a boat ride to watch the sunset and climb the Sky Tower to see the city as a bird's eye view, among other activities that I will discuss below.

During your stay in Auckland you can buy tickets for one of the Auckland cruises and sail the calm waters of Waitemata Harbour at sunset. As the breeze brushes your face, you'll be treated to a unique panoramic view of the city.

For one thing, you' ll see the sky and sea merge on the horizon, creating a magical natural scene. Also, you will notice that the city begins to light up little by little, being able to see the iconic Sky Tower and the Harbour Bridge in the distance, among other places of interest.

Throughout this experience you will learn a little about the history of the city, thanks to the commentary provided by the captain of the boat. And you'll have plenty of time to enjoy a snack or dine by moonlight, as many of these Auckland boat tours incorporate such a service.

Information of interest

• Price: about 85€ per person.
• Duration: approximately two and a half hours.

If you have little time to visit the city, then a scenic driving tour of its main streets is the right choice. This is a tour similar to the one you do when you book the Auckland sightseeing bus, but with the difference that it takes place at dusk.

You will stroll through destinations such as the Harbour Bridge and from it you will see the Waitematā Harbour, as well as around the volcanic peak Maungawhau and approach Mount Eden to observe a complete panoramic view of the illuminated city.

In addition, you will pass through some atmospheric neighborhoods (St. Heliers Election, Ponsonby, Parnell), the lively Queen Street, Mission Bay Beach and its suggestive view that merges the sky with the sea. All this, while the driver-guide tells you the history of each place and some anecdotes.

Information of interest

• Price: from 70€ per person.
• Duration: approximately three hours.

As night falls the city of candles lights up, giving way to a lively atmosphere that is conducive to join one of the best food tours in Auckland. You will visit some restaurants along with a professional guide, discovering flavors and some night views of the city center such as:

• The Blue Breeze Inn: where you will taste Chinese and tropical food, variety of steamed buns, wontons, handmade dumplings, seared chicken and prawns, among others.
• Amano: with Italian delicacies and occasional dishes.
• Harbourside: with mixed drinks, fish dishes, sushi, clams, among others. All this, with a privileged view of the harbor and North Shore.
• Cotto: you will enjoy gnocchi, ravioli and a wide range of pasta specialties. In addition, you will find a wine list with white, red and sparkling wines, both Italian and French.

If you feel like a full gastronomic day, I recommend you to book the Kumeu wine tour during the day and in the evening do the gastronomic tour I was telling you about.

Interesting information

of the gastronomic tour

• Price: 98€ per person approximately.
• Duration: about three hours.
• Advantages: these tours usually incorporate a tasting session of beer and wines from local vineyards.

If you are enthusiastic about photography I recommend joining a photo tour of Auckland after sunset. Take advantage of the glows, shadows and reflections of the night to capture a different perspective of the city.

This type of experience offers a walking route through the city that resembles the best Auckland tour buses and the one you can experience by booking a guided tour of the city, but you can customize it according to your tastes.

A photography expert will help you select the right angles to get a good framing in each image, and teach you some rules and tricks to take pictures with professional quality.

Useful information

• Price: from 114€ per person.
• Duration: the average duration is three hours.

If bike touring is your thing, then you can't miss the opportunity to join one of the best bike tours in Auckland. You will discover the city's night scene in the company of a professional guide, who will tell you the history of the places as you pass by.

Before you start pedaling and watching the bright lights of the city, you will be briefly introduced to the use of electric bikes. In addition, you will receive a helmet with headphones through which you will listen to the guide during the route.

You will then begin your tour of the city, the itinerary of which usually incorporates several destinations, some of them being the following:

• ShorelineLane, from where you'll catch a glimpse of the fully lit city skyline and the neon lights of Queens Wharf.
• Victoria Park towards City Works Depot; a lively social center with bars and restaurants.
• The Grafton Gully cycle path, with a privileged view of Auckland Harbour and the historic Grafton Bridge.
• TheLightpath bike path, noted for its impressive night lighting.

Information of interest

• Price: the approximate cost is €90 per person.
• Duration: about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Another unmissable activity to discover Auckland at night is a visit to the Sky Tower. It is an iconic building considered the tallest in the city, from whose observation deck you can enjoy a wonderful bird's eye view.

At a height of 328 meters and through a floor and glass walls, you will have a breathtaking view of Auckland and its surroundings. You will be amazed with the different contrasts caused by the sunset, giving way to a different perspective of the urban area.

It is a true visual spectacle that could take on greater prominence if you visit Auckland at Christmas time, due to the seasonal decorations. Also, during the experience, if you wish, you will have the opportunity to enjoy some cocktails while admiring the city.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee is approximately 23€ per person, but there are other reduced and special prices that you can check.
• Hours: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (Monday and Tuesday) and 9:30 am to 8:00 pm (Wednesday to Sunday).

After a long day visiting the different attractions of the city on your own or through the best tours of Auckland, you will surely want to relax a bit enjoying the seascape and the breeze under the moon. In this sense, a good idea is to take an evening walk along the city's harbor.

When you arrive at this historic place dating back to the 14th century, you will be amazed by its glittering scene. You will find a series of terraces with restaurants, bars and stores lining the harbor, whose facades are fully illuminated, providing a lively atmosphere.

You can go to some of these places to sit and have a drink while you immerse yourself in the breathtaking panorama of the harbor's calm, crystal-clear waters. You will see how they merge on the horizon with the dark sky, which is usually clear during the summer season in Auckland, leaving you to discover the stars in the sky.

Whether you plan to spend 1 to 3 days in Auckland or more, the city's night market is a must-see destination on your itinerary. You will be amazed by the gastronomic melting pot you will find in the more than 100 stalls housed in this place.

Upon arriving at the Auckland Night Market you will immediately notice a lively atmosphere with live music. The tour of the stores and food stalls is free, allowing you to explore the place at your own pace stopping at the places of your choice.

You will have at your disposal a wide variety of Asian food, specifically from Korea, Japan, China, Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. You will also find preparations from America and other parts of the world, all of them freshly prepared with fresh products.

Information of interest

• Price: admission is free, but you must pay for everything you consume.
• Hours: Doors open from 17:30 to 23:00 hours.
• Advantages: prices are affordable, starting from 2 €.
• Recommendation: take the opportunity to buy souvenirs and handicrafts.

After exploring the city for hours, returning from one of the best day trips from Auckland or having completed any activity on your itinerary, you can take some time to relax. In this regard, visiting the bars, clubs and live music venues is ideal for a night out with a difference.

While the city has many nightlife options, the following are some of the most popular:

• The Auckland Comedy Club, located on Queen Street. You'll enjoy great comedians and open nights where you can take the stage.
• The Grand Central, on Ponsonby Road. This is a live music venue that night after night features DJs and local rock, punk, funk and other genres.

Whether you are in Auckland in February or you decide to visit Auckland in December, you will always find a lively nightlife to enjoy.

During your stay in the city I recommend you to experience one of the best beer tours in Auckland at night. You will enjoy the lively nightlife atmosphere of the streets as you head out to visit some breweries accompanied by a guide to learn about the history of this product and enjoy several tastings.

You will see the inner workings of a local brewery, which will allow you to learn how a fine craft beer is brewed. In addition, the experts at these locations will tell you some of the secrets behind their products, whose notes vary to suit the tastes of the customers.

Some of the breweries you might visit during the tour, as they are frequently incorporated into the itinerary, include the following:

• Garage Project Brewery, which is a family-owned project that started in 2011.
• Good George, a brewery that gained momentum during 2011.
• Urbanaut Brewing Co, present in the beer market since 2017.

Information of interest

• Price: from 100€ per person.
• Duration: about four hours.