10 Things to Do in Auckland at Night

The city of Auckland in New Zealand is a place that invites you to discover it in its entirety and at any time. On 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 sunset boat ride and climb the Sky Tower to see the city from a bird's eye view, among other activities that I will tell you about below.

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

For one thing, you' ll see the sky and sea merge on the horizon, creating a magical natural scene. You'll also notice the city slowly begin to light up, with the iconic Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge, among other sights, in the distance.

Throughout this experience you'll learn a little about the history of the city, thanks to the commentary provided by the boat's captain. 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.

Useful information

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

If you're short on time, then a scenic driving tour of the city's main streets is the way to go. It's a similar tour to the one you take when you book the Auckland sightseeing bus, but with the difference that it takes place after dark.

You'll drive past destinations such as the Harbour Bridge to see Waitematā Harbour, around the Maungawhau volcanic peak and up to Mount Eden for a full view of the illuminated city.

You'll also pass through some atmospheric neighbourhoods (St. Heliers Election, Ponsonby, Parnell), the lively Queen Street, Mission Bay Beach and its evocative view that merges the sky with the sea. All this, while the driver-guide tells you the history of each place and some anecdotes.

Useful information

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

As night falls the candlelit city lights up, giving way to a lively atmosphere that's conducive to joining one of the best food tours in Auckland. You'll visit a few restaurants with a professional guide, discovering flavours and some of the city centre's night-time sights:

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

If you fancy a full gastronomic day, I recommend booking the Kumeu wine tour during the day and the gastronomic tour in the evening.

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 wine from local vineyards.

If you're a photography enthusiast I recommend joining a photo tour of Auckland after sunset. Take advantage of the glow, shadows and reflections of the night to capture a different perspective of the city.

This type of experience offers a walking tour of the city that resembles the best Auckland sightseeing buses and can be experienced by booking a guided tour of the city, although you can customise it to suit your tastes.

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

Useful information

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

If cycle touring is your thing, then you can't miss the opportunity to join one of the best bike tours in Auckland. You'll 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 pedalling and watching the bright lights of the city, you'll be briefly introduced to the use of electric bikes. You will also receive a helmet with headphones through which you will listen to the guide during the tour.

You will then start your tour of the city, the itinerary of which usually incorporates several destinations, some of which include the following:

• The waterfront lane, from where you will see the fully illuminated city skyline and the neon lights of Queens Wharf.
• Victoria Park towards City Works Depot; a lively social hub with bars and restaurants.
• The Grafton Gully cycle path, with a privileged view of Auckland Harbour and the historic Grafton Bridge.
• The Lightpath cycle path, which is notable for its impressive night-time lighting.

Useful information

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

Another must-do activity to discover Auckland by 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 metres and through a glass floor and walls, you will have an impressive panoramic view of Auckland and its surroundings. You'll be amazed by the different contrasts created by the sunset, giving you a different perspective of the urban area.

It's a real visual spectacle that might take centre stage if you visit Auckland at Christmas time, due to the seasonal decorations. You'll also have the opportunity to enjoy a few cocktails while admiring the city during the experience if you wish.

Useful information

• Price: admission costs approximately €23 per person, but there are other reduced and special prices that you can check.
• Opening hours: 9.30am-6pm (Monday and Tuesday) and 9.30am-8pm (Wednesday to Sunday).

After a long day visiting the city's various attractions on your own or through Auckland's best tours, you'll probably want to relax a little and enjoy the seascape and the moonlit breeze. In this regard, a good idea is to take an evening walk along the city's harbour.

When you arrive at this historic site dating back to the 14th century, you'll be amazed by its glittering scene. You'll find a series of terraces with restaurants, bars and shops lining the harbour, 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 soak in the stunning panorama of the harbour's calm, crystal clear waters. You'll see them 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 1-3 days in Auckland or more, the city's night market is a must-see destination on your itinerary. You'll be amazed by the melting pot of food and drink you'll find in the more than 100 stalls here.

Upon arrival at the Auckland Night Market you'll immediately notice a lively atmosphere with live music. The shops and food stalls are free to browse, allowing you to explore at your own pace, stopping at the places of your choice.

There is a wide variety of Asian food available , specifically from Korea, Japan, China, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. You will also find American and other international preparations, all made fresh on the spot with fresh produce.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free, but you must pay for everything you eat.
• Opening hours: Doors open from 5.30pm to 11pm.
• Advantages: prices are affordable, starting at €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 of the activities 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 to the stage.
• Grand Central on Ponsonby Road. This is a live music venue, which night after night features DJs and local rock, punk, funk and other genres.

Whether you're in Auckland in February or you decide to visit Auckland City in December, you'll always find a lively nightlife scene to enjoy.

During your stay in the city I recommend experiencing one of Auckland 's best beer tours at night. You'll enjoy the lively nightlife on the streets as you head out to visit a few breweries accompanied by a guide to learn about the history of beer and enjoy several tastings.

You'll see the inner workings of a local brewery, allowing you to learn how a fine craft beer is brewed. In addition, experts at these venues will tell you some of the secrets behind their products, whose notes vary to suit the tastes of their 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-run project that started in 2011.
• Good George, a brewery that gained momentum during 2011.
• Urbanaut Brewing Co, present in the beer market since 2017.

Useful information

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