Best Auckland Views

See our beautiful city

The largest city in a country known for its scenic wonders and numerous photo opportunities, Auckland has more than enough reasons to show off when it comes to impressing visitors with its views. With numerous high points dotted around the city and the benefit of having two coasts, it has plenty to choose from when you're deciding where to take tourists looking for a spot from which to enjoy our beautiful vistas, and we've picked a few of our favourites too.

It comes as no surprise that a few Hollywood directors have chosen the wild black sands of Karekare beach as a prime location, and the view from Karekare Point - off on your right when heading to the main carpark - is absolutely breathtaking. The view from nearby Piha's Lion Rock is also worth the trip to the top, although it is a little more treacherous to reach in wilder weather months.

Closer to the city, Mount Eden is an easy drive with ample parking, and the view from most parts of this inner city high point is far reaching. Many tour buses can be seen dropping by and emptying themselves of camera-toting tourists here - it's pretty hard to take a bad shot from this location.

Waiheke Island's Matiatia Wharf and the surrounding hillside vineyards are a great place to look back to the city, and the views on a clear night are particularly spectacular. We recommend Cable Bay for a great place to sample the local product whilst admiring the vista, and it’s within an easy five minute drive of the ferry, or a slightly more substantial uphill walk. The ferry ride itself is also a great opportunity to see the expanse of the city and its harbour.

SkyCity's Sky Tower is the obvious place to go for a good look around, but it is definitely one of the best. As the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere, it offers unparalleled, breathtaking views with an edge - the trip up in the lift and glass bottom floor are definitely not for the squeamish!