I randomly was walking around Devonport and found my way up to Mount Victoria. Short walk and slightly steep going up but worth the 360 degree views. You can explore the old fort here and run down the hill.

One of the many volcanoes in and around Auckland. Takarunga was once a pa (a fort) some time ago. Most importantly, it's hosts some pretty good views of the city

Visiting from out of town acting as a tour guide for the family. Always a great spot, although I remember the days you could drive to the top. A fair number of walkers dodged the showers and were rewarded with dramatic skyline views as the sun punched though and lit up the villas, shops, and vessels below. Very peaceful spot for a walk, a picnic, or showing visitors the best view of the CBD.

It is about 30 minutes walk from Devonport ferry terminal. You can see beautiful 360 panorama view, and also Auckland downtown, Sky Tower. It was very clear sunny autumn day, we weren't tired to see around more than hours. Maybe you had better to have something drink.

Great place to go for some fantastic views of the Auckland harbour and city. The walk is bit difficult on a hot day but the views at the end are worth the effort. You can explore the battery installed at the summit.

Fantastic view!!! For the maps lovers there is a stone map very cool to see the closest locations to mount Victoria. Take some photos on the red mushrooms.

Short walk good for families. on top with 360 degrees view of CBD. Scenic view. Few parking available onsite. Aside from walking in Mt Victoria you could also go for a walk in Devonport wharf which is really nice. Playground available for kids and have some picnic. Huge free Parking beside the playground but beside the wharf you have to pay.

Beautiful place. It was windy but not cold and we had excellent day up there. Views are amazing.

Great views and it's very easy to get to from downtown auckland. The ferry trip is just about 10 minutes, followed by about 15 minutes walking.

Great walk, sweat, fresh air and views. A whole 360 view, stunning scenery. My kids call it Toads Mountain 🍄🍄🍄.

This is the highest volcano on the North Shore. Very beautiful place with wonderful scenery. It's great for picnic lovers. Take a ferry from downtown and get here in 10 minutes.

Very nice view for a Quick walk. Fully Experience the blow of Auckland's wind here

Greta place for a short hike to an awesome viewing location of both Auckland city on one side and the ocean and Rangitoto on the other. Take a picnic basket, blanket and some tunes and you could spend hours up here easy!

Great outlook over the city and all around the greater auckland area. Is a short hike from town and a lovely place to get some perspective. Read a book etc.

It is a beautiful panoramic view of Auckland in the distance, the harbour and the surrounding areas; the islands and the Pacific Ocean. It should be a relaxing walk up or drive however in our case we took the Segway Tour from Magic Broomstick. At the peak you can view the old disappearing gun as well.

This is the best area to overlook Auckland and surroundings. Affluent area is nearby and great to explore

Beautiful view point. Cover almost 360 degrees of north Auckland. Nice to be there.

Got be one of the best places to take your kids for some fun, history and culture. Hours of fun for them. Though these days I prefer to relax at the Cafe or out side while the older kids explore. That said I do visit the new displays and exhibits. The Greek one was fascinating.

Staff are always friendly and professional. It’s not just about history but also New Zealand culture and nature. My kids love this museum, not only there is a kid zone, but also volcanoes where they get to learn about the history of volcanic eruptions in NZ and experience a simulation of the eruption. There also different exhibitions throughout the year.

Spectacular museum!! Plenty to see and do. We spent 4 hours there exploring and immersing ourselves in Maori Culture. The TRexs are not to be missed and we had fun with locating the AR dinos throughout the museum! Definitely worth the price of admission.

A must see if you are visiting Auckland. Don't get misled by the name, there are entire floors for the Aboriginal people in New Zealand and Polinician islands, and for the natural history of the region. I didn't even go to the 3rd level which is the war museum, that was not what I was after. In-fact this is the only place I come across where you can experience the heritage of the Maori people. The Maori villages I visited are just commercial tourist attractions, except for the nature.

The Auckland Memorial Museum is an amazing place for everyone🥰, including people with disabilities.♿️ They have great facilities that make it easy for everyone to enjoy. It's also a perfect spot for families – kids love it, and grandparents have a great time too. 🚼👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👨‍👦👭🧑‍🤝‍🧑You should definitely visit if you want a fun and educational experience for all ages❗️ A coffee☕️🍵🍪🥤🥪🍩 spot is available, and there's a pleasant dining area for those who bring their own food🍱. The Museum also offers the convenience of FREE 🚗 car parking for up to 180 minutes, making your visit hassle-free. Plus, it's surrounded by a beautiful park area🌋, adding to the overall charm of this wonderful destination💖🇳🇿.

Beautifully displayed with a wide array of topics and broad history covered. Very enjoyable and I love that it's free for residents and for those of us that aren't, the price was very reasonable. Lucky to be able to add the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibit for only $9NZ

A place with lot to learn, from Maori history to world wars, from ancient animals to modern animals, volcanos, asian art, and many more. A very informative sections on various different topics. My favourite is the volcano section. Definitely try out the stimulation. There are activities for kids as well. I recommend going in the morning around the time they open, because if you really want to read through information and get to know things, it will take time.

Please, promise me you will definitely visit Auckland War Memorial Museum when you are in town! Rich Maori culture and history Varieties of pacific culture and history Vivid war and history display A great introduction of how New Zealand is here today Reminds you to respect people and to love the world Informative and full of education How earthquake is happening, how animals are dying, how you can to do protect the earth.......... Promise me, visit Auckland War Memorial Museum when you are in town.

Excellent place to visit for rainy day - indoor activities. We visited the current exhibition-Egypt - in the time of Pharaohs. Very informative and unique displays. They have a gift shop which have good selections of souvenirs. The restaurant inside there is very good too. We enjoyed the visit.

Went for the Egyptian Exhibition and totally love it! The gallery presents remarkable collection of artifacts abd relics from Ancient Egypt. The whole exhibition is thoughtfully curated, with detailed information to shed lights on various aspects of Egyptian life.

Will always give this place 5 stars. I consider this place my own secret garden. It shows our rates are well spent when we visit OUR very own museum. Auckland museum is always updated and keeps up with current trends. Been going here for years.

Excellent attraction to spend the day at. You have the cafe insude plus the grounds to picnic. Stunning building both outside and in with decorative features around the outside of the museum. Has the Botanical Gardens near and great views of the City.

Amazing place it's a must do when in Auckland. It's war memorial cum museum. Some of the exhibits like the Japanese ZERO were mind blowing!

I don't know how, but we got in here for free, went around, looked at stunning exhibitions, bought some souvenirs and left saying what an adventure! That's how interesting a museum has got to be. I also like how the mask mandate poster features Roman Emperor Nero!

One of the best museums I’ve ever been to. The name is a bit misleading as the non-war exhibits were the real standout for me. The Maroi displays were great as was the Auckland life expo and the NZ photos. Allow yourself 3-4hours to get around and a bit more to see the botanics and walk up the bloody hills to get there.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum is a must-visit attraction that immerses you in Auckland's rich history. I had the pleasure of exploring it on a rainy afternoon and discovered that it's free for Auckland residents, creating a vibrant atmosphere even in gloomy weather. The museum beautifully showcases Maori culture, offering an insightful journey into their traditions and heritage. While tickets may be slightly pricey for foreigners, the experience is undoubtedly worthwhile. If you're a museum lover, allocate more than four hours to fully appreciate the extensive exhibits. Prepare to be captivated by the fascinating stories and immerse yourself in Auckland's vibrant past at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Went to see Peter - fantastic to see an example up close. Overall the museum is a pretty good stop. Lines can be a little long, and some of the 'modern' exhibit styles struggle to present a cohesive narrative (why are these things here together?). But the majority of the exhibits are well put together and show a rich history with good background information.

We spent half a day here. It was really interesting to see all the different areas and displays. Kids loved the section where they could explore the animals. And the volcano eruption experience was really good!

The best museum to visit in New Zealand thanks to the Māori cultural performance. It started with a beautiful smile and welcome at the ticket counter. You have to do the Māori cultural performance. They were beyond amazing and what was said, taught, sung and performed was so emotional, inspiring, and spot on true. It is not a show, it is a glimpse into a way of life, and you are lucky if you get the chance to experience that.

Not just a museum, an experience. The building itself is amazing ! Sections : WW, Pacific islands, volcanoes and earthquakes, antiquity, rocks, contemporary collections about the city of Auckland... Just go, you won't be disappointed.

Was visiting as part of our cruise. Walked from the dock in Auckland. Beautiful and at times challenging walk. Arrived at museum to find international guests are required to pay to enter. Chose to walk around surroundings and gardens instead.

If u are a residence of Auckland, u are eligible for free entrance. Working holiday visa holders can also enjoy this benefit. Will be great if u can spend half day here exploring. Unfortunately the T-Rex fossil will be taken down for good from 11 Dec 2023 onwards. Might need to ask the museum management when will it be put back into display.

What a fabulous museum. Awesome displays and special exhibitions. We did a guided tour for an hour; highly recommended. I loved the photographic display by Robin Morrison; special photos of the Sth Is....and the people of that time. We need to return; we were there for 3+ hours but just scratched the surface

Great place to visit plenty to see, would have preferred to see more information about weapons over the years. The First World War exhibition was sanitized with little about injuries and effects on soldiers coming back. The top floor was saddest with lists of the dead, what a great loss to all.

Goes without saying please Visit this!!! Absolutely stunning panoramic view of the whole city and beyond! What we Absolutely loved was that on the windows they have described what we are seeing and the meaning behind it. The staff is so courteous and they even have clear window panes to look underneath. We made a reservation but when we got there the lines were minimal (I'm sure because of covid) you can also dine there but definitely need reservation for that!

If you are visiting Auckland and have time a must is the Sky Tower. Once up the Sky Deck which is the Main observation area you can get 360-degree view of Auckland and on a clear day the views are just phenomenal, it's said you can see 51 miles from the sky tower. Yes I wouldn't say it's a cheap experience but it's certainly worth it even if it's just once you do it. The tower also is so well built with high strength, high performance concrete, it's also suspected that during up to a 8.0 magnitude earthquake the tower would still stand and honestly you can believe this by just looking at it. When visiting we found the staff to be very welcoming and friendly and overall there isn't much else to say other than look at the pictures and see for yourself if it's something you want to witness for real.

I give it 5 stars, however, with a minus. You really get amazing views of the Auckland. You see the city sprawling out to all sides. However, comparing with similar attractions in similar countries it is a bit shabby and aged.

Nice views from both decks. Crowded but well organized. Worth a 1-2 hour visit. NZ$75 for a couple in Dec 2023 plus add-ons if you want to try the walk or sky jump.

I have been here twice before, once during the day, another for dinner on the revolving restaurant. This time was 7pm on a Monday evening when the visibility was amazing. The panoramic view of our city make me love it more and more. I would recommend the 60 floor -sky deck-200 meters above and the bridge and motorway look stunning. Particularly the window is much clearer on Sky Deck. I also bought a pair of red merino gloves. God bless Auckland, God bless our NZ.

Used our free $100 Auckland voucher today which included $25 free gift card for the gift shop. The front counter person didn't mention anything about it, it wasn't a big deal though. All the staff mbrs we came into contact with were friendly. My kids enjoyed it. It was busy, but not over crowded. Worth the freebie, however I forgot to validate my parking n since we were there all up less than 1h10mins my parking was casual rate of $24 😢😢 will return in the near future

A must visit in Auckland! Of all their activities we only tried the VR experience which was short but fun. Watched a man do the sky jump, looks very scary but fun!! Had a drink and snack at the cafe with awesome views. Pics don't do it justice. Definitely recommend a visit!

Such a beautiful view at night time, has the sky bar which was busy so opted for the walk around instead. Recommend booking if wanting to enjoy a beverage at the sky bar. Also 2 adults for 70 vs 40 pp was great value

Two of us did the 'sun and stars' entry today. This allows a day and a night visit. Well worth it. The stars experience was wonderful on the upper level (60). Great information bites everywhere, and the staff were excellent, friendly and informative. I would have liked a Cafe onsite. The bar would have done, but with no under 18s allowed, it was not an option. It would have been lovely to just sit with a coffee and look out. Maybe a dining experience will need to be next visit.

The Sky Tower is a remarkable piece of architecture. The views of Auckland are absolutely stunning and no photo or video can replicate. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. There were binocular viewers that look like they needed a coin to operate but they were free for use. I highly (pun intended) recommend this attraction.

Very iconic views and definitely worth it if you're making a trip to Auckland. Great way to see the entire city, grab a cocktail, or dinner reservations. If you eat at the restaurant, you get discounted tickets. Walking along the clear glass floor was a little scary, but super safe. Bungee jumpers can be seen jumping off which is neat to see. Elevators are extremely fast and overall it's a very easy experience.

Spectacular views, entry was included with our reservation at the Orbit Restaurant so that‘s a bonus! Really cool to see the city from above, some sections have glass floors (makes you realize just HOW high up you are!). A must do when you‘re in Auckland!

Very good. Prices are a bit steep but if you’ve never been it’s a great experience! I would recommend trying to visit on a sunny/clear day as on foggy days it can be hard to see Also recommend going up to the sky deck, which is the highest level; it doesn’t cost anymore and provides a massive view.

Friendly staff from the ground up to the sky deck. Good place to bring your visiting families. The album at the exit costs $55 which is overpriced, but somewhat expected at this touristy place. We visited on a Saturday but the place is not that packed. I recommend booking your tickets via Klook!

Very impressive and fun experience. Was wonderful to see the city in such detail. Great dinner. Very romantic for a date! Was also an awesome double date location for our group. Great service all round. Perfect Birthday dinner location. Such fun.

I'm happy to share my review of the Sky Tower! Our recent visit, starting from the 51st floor and ascending to the 60th floor, left us with an unforgettable experience. The moment we stepped onto the observation deck, we were greeted with breathtaking views that stretched as far as the eye could see. The city's beauty and vibrancy were on full display, creating a sense of wonder and awe. The transition between floors was seamless, and the journey itself was an adventure. It's evident that the Sky Tower team has invested in creating an enjoyable and well-organized experience for visitors. The staff's hospitality and assistance further added to the positive atmosphere. From the panoramic windows to the interactive exhibits, every element was thoughtfully designed to enhance our understanding of the city's landscape and history. Standing at such heights allowed us to truly appreciate the urban tapestry below. Overall, our visit to the Sky Tower was a highlight of our trip. The opportunity to see the world from a different perspective and capture incredible memories is something we will cherish. Without a doubt, this is an attraction that offers not just a good experience, but a truly exceptional one.

A simply incredible experience as one of the things you must do when in Auckland. The views are stunning. Friendly staff. Toilets and food available at the top.

Seattle has their Space Needle, Toronto has their CN Tower and Auckland has their Sky Tower. All have similar purposes as a communication towers, tourist attraction/ Observation deck and iconic land mark that can be seen long distances away. I find these towers very useful as a visual land reference when walking about in an unfamiliar city. I also like how they change the light colours of the towers at night. It does create a post card look. If you like my reviews, photos or videos then reach up to the Sky and Tower over the like button

Wonderful experience. No time pressure, plenty of time to admire the views and take pictures. Be careful if you buy tickets in advance, we accidentally bought two lots of two admissions and they would not refund our mistake. Please read the details carefully.

Visited on a Sunday morning, no queue getting in and up the tower, bought my ticket on the day no hassle quick and easy, I ended up spending a couple hours checking out the views floor 51 is the main observation deck, but you can go up to floor 60 for sky deck, incredible views, the glass seemed cleaner on the top floor but as you can do the tower walk I guess it's easier to keep clean who knows, the sky deck floor did get busier and there was a queue to get back down the one lift but enjoying the view it's easy to either wait or do another lap around and enjoy the view again, watching the boats in and out of the harbour, well worth a visit in my opinion a good way to see the city (helps getting bearings for wandering around the city for me)

A great way to see the whole city and enjoy the sights. It's also a thrilling time if you want to bungee jump or do the Skywalk which isn't for the faint of heart. The sky bar is also very enjoyable.The trip to the Sky Tower in Auckland was exhilarating. The panoramic views from the observation deck were breathtaking, offering a stunning perspective of the city and its surroundings. The glass floor added an extra thrill, making it a memorable experience. Well worth it. Great information bites everywhere, and the staff were excellent, friendly and informative. The dining experience is awesome! You can see the 360 degree view of the city while enjoying your dinner an a glass of wine. Cheers!👍

A quick ride to the top via the elevator and outstanding views of Auckland spread out before us. The platform is a little shy of 200m above the ground and for the more adventurous you can do a 360° walk around outside (while attached to a harness) or even simulate a free fall off the side (being slowed by your lines before hitting the sidewalk). For the less brave, looking down at the tiny cars below, while standing on the thick toughened glass in the viewing platform, might be more than enough to make your heart race.

One of the best place to visit in Auckland. It’s joint through Casino. Access for everyone. Paid entry to tower top . Different levels to visit. Awesome view of Auckland from the top.

We were very confused when we got there as we couldn't find the entrance. You have to go inside the casino then down the escalator. We had bought online tickets which included the Hop on/off bus & the email said there was no need to print them, but when we got to the desk, ready to go into the tower, we were told to go back outside & have them printed at the bus stop. So we weren't very impressed with that. The views are very good, but it is definitely over priced.

As this was the third we'd been up in six weeks the novelty had started to wear off. It's still worth doing but perhaps Auckland has less to see than other cities with sky towers. Reasonably priced but disappointing that you can't get a drink unless you pre book your visit so spur of the moment decisions are not the best.

Soared up to top in just 4 seconds. A lot of visitors had to turn away from the front window that showed the climb to the top but not me. It was an adrenaline rush. Off the elevator, the whole city is beneath your feet. Auckland is beautiful. The observation deck is clean, bright and tall. There are wooden benches to sit on while observing the view. There are also transparent mats for those daring to stand on. Caused my heart to flutter for a moment. Missing is a souvenir shop at the top or a kiosk for drinks. Take another lift to get up higher and see sky jumpers risk their life for 5 seconds of their life.

Visited on a public holiday. There was a long wait to enter. The garden is very ordinary. Not many exciting sculptures. Some items in the gallery was good. There was an offer for the tickets and we went for half price. Otherwise they usually charge 45$ per person which i feel a bit too much for this place. Kids will have a good time.

Sculptures were interesting and the place was really well kept! The recommended time on their website was very accurate if you were going to take your time and read the descriptions on the artworks. It was a bit hot when we got there so it was really nice that there were umbrellas available for guests to take by the entrance. Really good experience

Took the kids for a day out at Sculptureum and we loved it. The grounds are beautifully kept, the staff are welcoming and lovely. We enjoyed the art and gardens so much. Didn't get a chance to eat at the restaurant but we'd love to do that next time.

Fabulous collection of one couple's art including bronzes, wooden, stone, glass, ceramic, metal, photographic and plastic pieces from around the world plus local NZ artists. Also contains some interesting and provocative quotations. Well worth the entrance price.

A must see attraction! Absolutely outstanding. Allow 2 hours minimum to enjoy at a relaxing pace. You will be blown away! Wheelchair friendly. Heaps of spacious parking. Food & wine available. $20 senior citizen rates.

We are so glad to get the special tickets to visit this unique place. The garden is sitting on an open and wide area. It's amazing as you pass through the main entrance. With over 800 items of collections, you don't need to be an artist, you will be impressed. Lovely restaurants on site.

This place is worth going, and I would like to visit again in the future:) It is saperated into three gardens and six galleries where there are more than 800 works displaying. I love the Palm garden the most, and the Pink Snail Garden is fun too! Other than sculptures, there are also some real animals, including bunny, turtles, parrots and so on. One of the parrots can say 'Hello' again and again, which made us lingering for a long time😆 Free carpark outside, and the ticket is 49.50 pp (it's 38 pp if you're a resident). Staff is nice and welcoming.

Absolutely fantastic place!! We spent a couple of hours here, soaking up the beauty of the gardens, art and all interesting things. Very well presented and maintained. You won't be disappointed! Easy to find, good parking, toilets and food onsite. The hosts were super friendly and helpful!

An experience not to be missed. Amazing gardens and art gallery. The quality of the sculptures, art and garden designs are one of the best in Auckland. Once finished, enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant.

What a great spot to explore! Would be great for families. Excellent customer service, very friendly and welcoming. We were traveling in a campervan and were relieved to find parking was a breeze. We visited in peak season (early new year), so arrived early to avoid crowds, and glad we did as when we left, the car park was very full! Arriving early allows plenty of time to stroll leisurely through beautifully shaded pathways, discovering quaint quirky signage and clever displays along the way. The art gallery was impressive, unexpected, and somewhat mesmerizing, with a great dose of colour and quirk! Loved it. The one-way automated doors were great, but were a touch confusing initially. Perhaps some glow in the dark signage or LED lights could be a fun addition here? (Although it is barely a second in between doors closing and opening). Smart supply of loan umbrellas available at the entrance to the final garden were a nice touch. Wish we'd lingered a touch longer here, but needed to get away and was incredibly hot day, so we kind of raced through (not before snapping the famous snails though!) The restaurant appeared incredibly popular (definitely book ahead!). We were pleased to find the food caravans but wish there could have been a smoothie or milkshake as an option.

The website describes it as 6 art galleries, so I was disappointed to see it was actually just 6 different small rooms. Despite that, there were lots of brilliant pieces on display, from all around the world. The polar bear was my favourite! Highly recommend you avoid a public holiday weekend, we went over Easter weekend and it was uncomfortably packed. Would say it's worth a visit.

Very cool pace for ages to hang out. There are two sculpture gardens to walk and enjoy, ticket once, multiple entry. The gardens are filled with awesome sculptures and artworks, it is very well maintained, footpaths and clean and property paved, most parts are wheelchair friendly. The restaurant also provides a great place to stop for lunch and a rest from the gardens, great service, great food. Lots of parking spaces out back.

A truly amazing place, well worth the hour drive out of Auckland. Spent a good couple of hours here wandering through the amazing outdoor sculptures and gallery inside. I thoroughly recommend this place.

The absolute stunning place if you are interested in different forms of art. I loved gardens and art gallery. Kids will love this place with multiple farm animals and birds in the gardens. Must visit if you are close to Matakana and I personally feel its under-rated place. But worth to visit it.

We had a couple of grabone vouchers and decided to visit. The sculptures and the gallery were outstanding. Great customer service upon arrival. Great for kids as plenty for them to explore, such as birds ,turtles, and a bunny. Restaurant and wine tasting require booking. Otherwise, hot chips, coffee, drinks and ice cream are available from the ticket counter.

Visited Sculptureum today. Amazing. Exceeded my expectations. The colour of the leaves are still so vibrant, even at this time of the year and that's just the trees! It's amazing how art can really trigger emotion. I came out feeling inspired and wanting to nurture my own (tiny) creative nature😍

Went with family, there were 13 of us (aged 2 years - 70+yrs) and everyone loved it! Plenty of parking. The gardens and grounds were well kept. Staff were amazing. There are umbrellas in case if it’s raining. Amazing place, a must visit for everyone .

Went with family, there were nine of us (aged 17-70+yrs) and everyone loved it! Plenty of parking. Well kept place/grounds. Popular restaurant. Staff are amazing, welcoming and friendly. The weather was overcast but umbrellas are provided for the walk/stroll. Awesome gallery and garden!

Had about two hours walking the lovely Scultureum displays which were excellent & far exceeded our expectations. Both garden outside displays are terrific but for us the indoor gallery of priceless artworks was the best

Such a great experience .. such a beautiful place To spend day with family .. beautiful art gallery.. must recommend this place to family and friends.. just little expensive entry fee.. loved food from food truck as restaurant was fully booked and wine tasting experience was great too .. both ladies were fabulous too

Just been to the Sculptureum and it's pretty impressive. There's heaps of cool sculptures and artworks, indoors and out. Loved wandering through the gardens – every nook has something interesting. Just a heads-up, it can get a bit packed and some outdoor paths are quite snug. Not a huge issue, but something to bear in mind if you're not keen on crowded spaces. The staff are friendly and there's a nice café for a cuppa and a bite. Definitely worth a look if you're into art, but maybe avoid the busy times if you like more space.

The entrance and parking are easy to find from the main road. The first garden (across the little bridge) is okay, but would not be the main attraction (some strange sections....some "shrine-like"). The posters have a sort of "young" language (basic, not hip). The internal art gallery is mesmerising. I could have spent much longer in there but found the one way system sometimes shunted you done the line a bit quick. The other garden (with the famous pink snail) was very entertaining for my 4 year old. It has cute and cartoony sculptures at the beginning. The outside gardens are covered with well-established trees and are cool with gentle breezes. There are some truly serene spots to find a bench to sit and contemplate. The food truck area was nice enough (shaded tables and beanbags and some outdoor table games). However the hot food took about 30 minutes to cook. We only ordered hot chips but they were cooked in 5 separate batches.... Also the 15% surcharge on $7 portions of chips was quite steep. Probably wouldn't have food there next time, but also didn't get the sense it was welcoming to picnics. Took a pram the whole way with no issues. Was offers a quiet corner to breastfeed my baby which was lovely and private.

Sculptureum in Matakana, New Zealand, is fantastic! I had an amazing time surrounded by incredible art. The place is full of stunning sculptures and beautiful artworks. It's a must-visit for art lovers, with its lovely gardens and inspiring exhibits. A truly enjoyable experience!

If anyone from the Dept of Conservation is reading this, great job! I'd recommend adding a tagline to the island name e.g. "for the love of birds" :) It's a perfect day trip from Auckland. Big shout out to the amazing volunteers! A guided tour is a must for all first timers.

If visiting Auckland or even if you live in Auckland ,Tiritiri Matangi Island is a must go to. Considering what it was 50 odd years, practically treeless. 20,000 planted trees later and plenty of bird life. What a transformation.

A fantastic day trip to a beautiful island to see the native bird life. We took the ferry over and booked a guided walk, which really helped to learn and locate all the birds and trees. They have really created a nice experience and it was well worth it.

You can feel the spring in the air. With the flowers blooming, there are more nectar for birds. They are singing loudly and putting on a show.

Beautiful island and the guides were absolutely great, full of knowledge. The volunteers have done an amazing job of creating this bird sanctuary

The perfect spot for a hike! My family and I went on a tour, and the guide named Neal was very friendly. Complete with muddy pathways and rocks. Saw some giant weta too.

A Great Peaceful place to visit. Since it's a reserve and conserved land to it's original form, it is highly organized to keep as natural as possible it is. Need to bring your own drinks and food when you are going there.. for public only one ferry from Auckland Harbour which is operated by explorer ferry. There are some real rare birds in here.. I have taken some pictures of these rare birds and some of the pics you can find in my Instagram account fahaz_kurukkan Advise to take a map or note the map in advance and plan to walk on the train as much as possible with a plan to reach back to ferry terminal before it leaves.

So much hard work has gone into making this island sanctuary a place where our native birds can flourish again. It is an amazing place and well worth the journey. I can recommend the guided walk if you are curious. There are toilets and a gift shop on the island. Proceeds help to continue pest eradication efforts.

Loved it! Beautiful Island. On the way to the island I saw penguins swimming in the ocean. The island itself is beautiful. Its not crowded at all. I saw them all: Takahes, Kokakos, sattlebacks, Hihis, Bellbirds, NZ pigeons, Tuis, Kakarikis, Whiteheads, Robins. Couldn't be happier. Great Day Trip. Could have spend even more time there :)

A great day out from Auckland! We had a guided tour with Enid (one of the volunteer tour guides) and she was so knowledgable about the wildlife and plants on the island, and the history of creating the sanctuary. We saw so many native birds, including the Kōkako. There was also a lovely shop in the visior centre, and the Explore boat to/from the island was great.

Great facilities and overnight stay if you book well ahead. Exercise and fresh air. Great people working there. Close to nature and the best morning chorus from the birds. Fantastic Sunrise!

A most rewarding experience for those wanting to encounter our rare wildlife without to much effort. Firstly a pleasant ocean voyage, and then an abundance of birdlife and other critter to find on the many easy tracks. Good swimming beaches too.

I really like this island, it‘s so beautiful! You can have lunch at the Lighthouse (has toilets, a shop for souvenirs and free tea). And at the end you can swim at the beach near the ferry, that‘s a great ending for your trip. They will control your food which you bring (you can only buy chocolate in the shop, so I would bring my own lunch), you have to fill it in plastic bags (or in containers) so no seeds can come on the island and maybe damage the nature. Your shoes have to be cleaned. There are some guides who show you around and tell you everything about the birds. You can just point on one you see and they will give you much information about it. The trip is definitely worth it & i can only recommend it. But if you want to enjoy it, take your time and do a day trip to the Island!!

Amazing day tour with lots of birds to see, but also excellent information provided by volunteers! And wonderful landscapes, too. Next time I will definitely stay longer.

A must for any nature lovers. You can either pre-book online or hope for the best and get tickets on the day. Pick up options for the ferry are either Auckland Ferry Terminal or Gulf Harbour Ferry terminal. I went with the latter since the tickets were cheaper and there was free parking in proximity to the terminal. The ferry ride was quite nice and once we arrived on the island there was a 10 minute welcome before being split into groups if you had a guided tour. There are two options for the tour, straight to the lighthouse (Wattle Track) or circling around the island before heading to the lighthouse (Kawerau Track). It was enjoyable to leisurely walk down the track and stop off at certain places to look at the birds in the area. The guides were quite knowledgeable about the birds on the island as well as the history. They also knew where certain birds are located like when I went they knew that there was a family of Takahe near the light house. Both walks stop at the lighthouse which is near the visitor center. The Kawerau track (longer of the two) took most of the day so there wasn't much time to explore more of the island but it was informative since it was my first time there. I walked down the Wattle track back to the ferry terminal. Just remember to get to the terminal before the ferry leaves otherwise it is an expensive ride back.