Visiting New Zealand’s biggest city for the first time and wanting to experience some incredible Auckland lookouts? You’ve come to the right place.
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These stunning lookouts are ones that when you visit Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), you won’t want to miss.
MOUNT EDEN
Anyone that has heard of Mount Eden knows that it’s iconic. Being in the thick of Auckland and enjoying those sweeping views from the summit are quite the juxtaposition.
It’s a serene escape within the urban hustle, where the volcanic crater adds a unique touch to the landscape. Don’t worry, it’s not an active volcano as it’s been roughly 15,000 years since the last eruption.
I visit here on a weekly basis to soak in the 360-degree panorama of the city and although sunset is my favourite, whether you’re enjoying the city lights at night or basking in the tranquility of dawn you really can’t go wrong.
MOUNT VICTORIA
Mount Victoria is located on the North Shore of Tāmaki Makaurau. Traveling from the city often means crossing the iconic Harbour Bridge, offering a breathtaking view along the way.
You would think that as Mount Victoria sits as the highest volcano on the North Shore, the walk would be a bit longer than 10-20 minutes. However, at 283 feet it is a short one and is accessible via walkway. The views it provides sweeps across Waitematā Harbour to Auckland city, all the way across to Takapuna and Rangitoto.
Would highly recommending visiting this one for sunset. There are plenty of spots to park up with a picnic blanket and soak in the views.
OMANAWANUI TRACK
Omanawanui, in my opinion, is one of the best walks and lookouts along the West Coast. Venture out in the last hours of the day and you’ll be able to enjoy golden hour with some stunning views that span out over the Manukau Harbour, Whatipu beach and the Waitakere Ranges. The climb entails over 2400 stairs and typically lasts 2–3 hours, so be prepared for a challenge. For the full track follow both Omanawanui to Signal House Track and Omanawanui to Omanawanui on AllTrails.
Also make sure to tie this in with a visit to Whatipu Beach. It’s the perfect spot to cool down and enjoy a west coast sunset.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Omanawanui track check out my full guide.
HUNUA RANGES
The Hunua Ranges are a little out of the way when compared to other Auckland lookouts. Depending on the walk you opt for, it can take roughly 45 minutes to an hour but, it’s worth the drive.
There are a few lookouts and tracks to choose from. One that I recommend is the Wairoa Loop and Suspension Bridge Track which I recently completed. This two in one 8km loop has lookouts over South Auckland, Wairoa Reservoir and the Hanua Ranges. The track will also take you through beautiful native New Zealand bush.
For more info on the Wairoa Loop and Suspension Bridge Track check out AllTrails.
MURIWAI LOOKOUT
Another great Auckland lookout that is located on the West Coast is Muriwai. Another black sand beach but it’s vast, stretching 50km.
There are a couple of options of viewpoints here. The first stop I would suggest and the most fruitful would be where Google Maps locates Muriwai Scenic Lookout. Park here for convenient access to viewing platforms; a brief stroll from this spot will lead you to each one. This is also the best place to view Muriwai Beach and the gannet colony (they nest here seasonally from August to March each year).
Afterwards, if you are wanting to get down to the beach there is a short 5 minute drive down Waitea Road before turning left onto Jack Butt Lane.
WAIHEKE ISLAND
Waiheke Island is well known not only for its wineries, olive groves, beaches and walks but also it’s incredible views.
Located in the Waitemata Harbour, it roughly a 40 minute ferry ride from downtown Tāmaki Makaurau.
As you can probably tell, there is so much to do and see here. In the time that I have lived in Auckland I have been here multiple times for both day and weekend trips. All I can say is that even across these visits, it hasn’t been enough time to fully explore the island. No matter where you look, there are incredible lookouts across to Auckland, Waitemata Harbour and the surrounding islands.
WAITEMATA HARBOUR
Now that we’ve established that Waiheke Island is a great place to visit for a great Auckland lookout, so is the harbour itself.
If you’re lucky enough to be in touch or know someone with a boat, I can highly recommend getting out on the water. The view of the city from this perspective is incredible, and it really doesn’t matter what time of day you go.
If you have limited access to a boat but a desire to explore Waitemata Harbour, you can book activities through GetYourGuide.
MUSICK POINT
Even though I don’t venture out East very often this Auckland lookout is one that I’ve visited a few times now.
Begin the short walk by parking at the gate entrance or drive further for closer parking near the headland. If you opt for closer parking, be mindful of gate closure times as there is potential to be locked in.
To get to the viewpoint you will walk past a former radio transmission station that was used during WWII. Beyond this you will find it easy to get to the lookout where you’ll have stunning views over Hauraki Gulf, to Rangitoto, Motuihe and Waiheke Islands.
This is ideal for a sunset picnic, but be wary during the colder months as it can become muddy. In my opinion it is much nicer to visit during summer.
PIHA
Piha is a famous beach located on Aucklands West Coast. It’s known for its iconic Lion Rock which is the remains from the neck of a volcano that erupted 16 million years ago. Unfortunately walking to the top is no longer possible due to a slip but Lion Rock is so unique to this incredible black sand beach.
I’m not sure if others would classify this as a lookout but I can say that the views at sunset across this beach are pretty incredible. If you are interested in photography make sure to look up the times of the tide before you plan your trip. If you’re lucky enough you’ll get some stunning light and reflections, too.
AUCKLAND SKYTOWER
Located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau city stands the Sky Tower. This is the most iconic building in and amongst Aucklands landscape and has been since it was built in 1994.
Sitting at 328 metres there are quite a few attractions beyond the 360 views of the city that draws people in. Visitors can test their nerves with the SkyWalk or SkyJump experiences, indulge in fine dining at the rotating Orbit restaurant, or even try their luck at the SkyCity Casino.
My personal favourite is dining during sunset, overlooking the beautiful Auckland scenery.
In this blog post, we have explored some of the most breathtaking Auckland lookouts, each offering its own unique perspective of the city and its surroundings. From the volcanic nature of Mount Eden to the rugged beauty of Piha Beach, one or more of these vistas are bound to leave a lasting impression.