The Best Auckland Activities

Auckland activities start 192 metres up the Sky Tower and 40 metres under the Harbour Bridge, then spread out to zip lines on Waiheke Island, skydives over West Auckland and flights across the Hauraki Gulf. This page groups the things to do in Auckland that get you moving, by how big a thrill you want and where in the region you want to be.

Sky Tower activities: SkyJump, SkyWalk and the Ride and Descent

The Sky Tower gives you several ways to use the same 192 metres. The Sky Tower SkyJump is a seated, cable-guided drop that reaches speeds up to 85 kilometres per hour before a soft landing, and the ticket includes entry to the observation deck. The Sky Tower SkyWalk is a 75-minute walk around the outside of the tower on a 1.2-metre-wide platform with no handrails, harnessed to an overhead safety line.

Can't pick? The SkyWalk and SkyJump Combo does both in one visit. For a gentler option, the Sky Tower Ride and Descent is a 45-minute experience that climbs the outside of the tower in about a minute and comes back down at a controlled high speed, with admission to three observation decks.

Harbour Bridge activities: bungy and bridge climb

Both Harbour Bridge activities start at the AJ Hackett base at 105 Curran Street, Westhaven Reserve in Herne Bay, with photos and video included. The Auckland Bridge Bungy is a 40-metre jump from a pod under the bridge, touching the water below, and jumpers can pick an ankle tie, a harness jump or a tandem jump.

Climbers get the Auckland Bridge Climb Experience, a 2-hour guided walk to the 67-metre summit with views to Rangitoto and Waiheke Island. A bungy and climb combo and return transport from the Sky Tower on request are also available.

Zip lines and skydiving

Auckland's zip line experiences are on Waiheke Island, above vineyards and native bush. EcoZip's Waiheke Island Zipline Tour is a 3-hour outing with three 200-metre dual flying foxes, a forest walk and a short island sightseeing tour, with transfers from Matiatia Ferry Terminal or Oneroa Village.

The Auckland Tandem Skydive lands at Parakai in West Auckland and offers jumps from 13,000, 16,000 or 18,000 feet, with freefall of a minute or more from the top height. Plan on a 3-hour visit; the drop zone operates Tuesday to Sunday.

Scenic flights over Waiheke Island and the Hauraki Gulf

Scenic flights leave from Waiheke Aerodrome. The Waiheke Buzz Scenic Flight is a 30-minute flight over the island's beaches, vineyards and oyster beds. The Hauraki Gulf Scenic Flight is a 45-minute flight over the Gulf and out towards the Coromandel Peninsula, with a chance to spot whales and dolphins from above. Both are listed under flying in Auckland.

Wildlife, sailing and walks

On the water, the Whale and Dolphin Safari is a 4.5-hour catamaran trip into the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, and the America's Cup Sailing Experience is a 2-hour session as crew on a real racing yacht. More boat trips are on the Auckland cruises page.

On foot, Terra and Tide's Waiheke Island walks start from the Matiatia ferry terminal at 9.45am and run as 5-hour guided walks for small groups. Guided days on the mainland are on the Auckland tours page.

Hands-on workshops and indoor activities

At Weta Unleashed on level 5 of 88 Federal Street, the Intro into World Building workshop is an 80-minute class on building a miniature fantasy landscape, and the Intro into Special Effects workshop is a 60-minute class on fake blood and silicone wounds. Both end with a Certificate of Creativity, and more venues are on the Auckland attractions page.

Choosing an Auckland activity

For height without leaving the CBD, pick the Sky Tower. For water under your feet, pick the Harbour Bridge. For countryside, pick Waiheke's zip lines or Parakai's drop zone. Most of the thrill activities are short daytime sessions, so two can share a day.

Frequently asked questions

How high is the Auckland Sky Tower SkyJump?

The Auckland Sky Tower SkyJump drops from 192 metres, reaching speeds up to 85 kilometres per hour on a cable-guided descent. The SkyJump ticket includes entry to the Sky Tower observation deck.

What is the difference between the SkyWalk and the SkyJump?

The Auckland Sky Tower SkyWalk is a 75-minute harnessed walk around a 1.2-metre-wide platform outside the tower with no handrails. The SkyJump is a cable-guided drop from the same 192 metres, and the SkyWalk and SkyJump Combo does both in one visit.

Is the Auckland Bridge Bungy over water?

Yes. The Auckland Bridge Bungy is a 40-metre jump from a pod under the Harbour Bridge, with an ocean touch at the bottom. Jumpers can choose an ankle tie, a harness jump or a tandem jump, and photos and video are included.

How high is the Auckland tandem skydive?

The Auckland Tandem Skydive offers jumps from 13,000, 16,000 or 18,000 feet over West Auckland. The 18,000-foot jump is limited to people aged 12 and over, and weight limits apply, with everyone weighed on arrival.

How far is the Waiheke Island zipline from Auckland?

The Waiheke Island Zipline Tour runs from Trig Hill Road on Waiheke Island, with a free pick-up from Matiatia Ferry Terminal or Oneroa Village, so the trip to the island is by ferry from downtown Auckland.

Can children do the Weta workshops?

The Weta Unleashed creative workshops in Auckland, including Intro into Special Effects and Intro into World Building, have a minimum age of 12 years.

Each activity page lists its start time and meeting point, so check those, then book your Auckland activity online with Experience Oz.