Typically, we head out to the airport when we are leaving the region or picking up a friend or family member, and we don’t usually give much thought to the things to do near Auckland Airport. However, the other day, when our daughter was arriving on a regional flight right in the heart of rush hour, our heart sank when we thought about the traffic.
Jeff and I are never fans of sitting in traffic. To dodge the notorious rush hour, we decided to arrive early, giving us ample time to enjoy some of the cool things to do around the Auckland airport. We had our short list in mind, we know there are some walking opportunities, mini-golf, animal opportunities (very kid-friendly), and the new premium outlet mall.
We supplemented this list by asking the over half a million members of our Facebook group, Explore New Zealand, and we feel pretty confident that below are the best things to do near Auckland Airport, followed by a section that covers the things to do at Auckland Airport.
We hope you find something to keep you busy next time you are headed out to the terminals.
Map of the best things to do near Auckland Airport
And if it’s your first visit to New Zealand, start here.
Things to do near Auckland Airport
- Mānawa Bay Premium Outlet Mall
- Treasure Island Adventure Golf
- Butterfly Creek
- Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve
- Ambury Regional Park
- Villa Maria Estate Winery
Mānawa Bay Premium Outlet Mall
The Mānawa Bay Premium Outlet Mall turned out to be a fantastic find for us. We timed our visit perfectly with the grand opening day, making the most of the deals and promotions.
While the mall features an array of shops catering to all tastes and preferences, I found it heavy on sporting brands. Of course, this could be because that’s what I needed most on the day we shopped.
There is also a decent-sized food court and plenty of spots for a quick cup of coffee.
There is plenty of free parking, even enough for the grand opening day crowds. On that day, a lot of staff were out directing traffic, which seemed to slow down the parking process. I am guessing that is just first day growing pains.
Pro tip: If you are waiting for an outbound flight, make sure you have room in your bags for all your purchases.
Treasure Island Adventure Golf
Image supplied by BookMe
If it’s a nice day, don’t miss the fun at Treasure Island Adventure Golf, which is one of the more active things to do around Auckland airport.
This pirate-themed mini-golf course is perfect for families, couples, or anyone looking to kill some time with a bit of competitive fun. The intricately designed course, complete with life-sized pirate ships, haunted treasure caves, shark-infested waters, and cascading waterfalls, is just loads of fun.
Best of all, you can often get discount admission (up to 50% off) here, sometimes even at the last minute.
Butterfly Creek
Butterfly Creek is a kid-friendly paradise. It is so much more than just a place to see butterflies; it is that too. In fact, the butterfly house is one of those magical places (for kids) where they get to walk among them.
Visitors also get up close and personal with a variety of exotic animals and insects. There are also saltwater crocodiles, monitor lizards, farm animals, meerkats, and an aquarium. It’s even one of the many places in New Zealand to see kiwi birds. It’s a perfect spot for both the young and the young at heart.
And it’s just a stone’s throw from Auckland Airport and right next to Treasure Island. Check here for discount admission (up to 40% off), often available on the same day.
Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve
Bryndlefly, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Exploring the Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve is a must for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. This site preserves the remains of early Māori settlements that are hundreds of years old and also includes some original European stone fences.
The walking paths offer scenic views of the Manukau Harbour and the surrounding countryside, providing a peaceful retreat and a chance to ponder the lives of Auckland’s earliest inhabitants. NZ History tells the full story here.
Ambury Regional Park
Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Auckland is filled with fabulous regional parks, and Ambury Regional Park, located on the shore of Manukau Harbour, is no exception. As you can see from the image, it’s one of the outdoor things to do around Auckland Airport that is fabulous, even without a sunny day.
The park is a working farm, a significant shorebird habitat filled with fascinating volcanic basalt lava flow landscapes.
Visitors can walk amongst a variety of farm animals, and if you arrive in early spring, be warned, the lambs will capture your heart. It’s an educational and interactive experience, ideal for families with children.
Villa Maria Estate Winery
Just a short drive from the airport, Villa Maria Estate Winery is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated wineries, having been awarded the New Zealand Wine Company of the Year at least 15 times in the past 20+ years.
You can tour the estate, have a tasting in the cellar, enjoy a light meal or snack in the cafe, or just stroll through the grounds. The last time we visited, we saw hand-pickers harvesting the grapes.
Do you have time to go a bit further from the airport?
Check out these things to do in South Auckland.
Things to do at Auckland Airport while you wait
If you don’t have a car, don’t have time to go to one of the nearby spots, or have an unexpected plane delay, there are a few things to do at Auckland Airport while you wait.
Regardless of which terminal you are at, these options exist. However, we have found considerably more options of things to do at Auckland Aiport International Terminal than at the domestic terminal, and even less around regional flights.
My favourite thing to do at Auckland Airport is to simply walk around and enjoy some of the carvings and artwork. Other top options include shopping, eating, drinking, relaxing, people or plane watching, or just enjoying a good chat with your travel partners.
- From luxury brands to local souvenirs, there are some impressive duty-free shopping options if you are beyond international security.
- Eating and drinking options range from fast food like McDonald’s to cafes, bars, and even sit-down restaurants.
- If neither of those appeal, grab a book or plug in your headphones and unwind in one of the many comfortable seating areas.
- And when all else fails, plane or people-watching can be surprisingly therapeutic. Find a spot near the large windows and watch the aircraft take off and land.
Save on your NZ trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), Bookabach (self-contained in NZ), or Hostelworld (budget). See all our personal favourite NZ hotels here.
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Campervans: Our readers prefer Jucy, and we get consistently great feedback.
- Activity discounts: we check Bookme.com for discounts of up to 70% on activities.
- Private guides: we do have a go-to when we hire a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel. And don’t forget to download our free New Zealand packing list when you sign up for our newsletter.
Next time you’re early, which of the things to do near Auckland International Airport will you try?
For more on New Zealand, start here: New Zealand Road Trips: Itineraries for North or South Island Adventures, or you might like …
Photo Credits:
All photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such or stock images from Depositphotos.
Denise
I’m pretty sure visiting Villa Maria Estate Winery will be my favorite thing to do near the Aukland Airport!
Jessica
I love all these suggestions, especially the outdoor ones. Thanks for sharing these.
Linda (LD Holland)
Auckland is definitely on our list for when we finally make it to New Zealand. I like the variety of things to see and do. And we definitely want to visit a winery and taste the local wine. Nice to see so much close to the Auckland airport for a short stay.
Susanna
Love that there are so many great things to do around the Auckland Airport. I would enjoy getting outside into the nature reserve or seeing the butterflies!