Discover some Unusual Things to Do in Auckland! The city got its usual draw cards—Rangitoto, Waiheke, the Sky Tower—but if you’ve lived here a while (or just prefer a slightly quirkier itinerary), there’s a surprising number of experiences hiding in plain sight. These are the ones that don’t usually make the glossy tourist brochures but have absolutely been worth doing. Not in a “it was fine” way—these were genuinely memorable, slightly odd, and full of “how have I never done this before?” moments.
In no particular order here’s a round-up of the best unusual things I’ve done around Auckland—and one that’s still on my list.
1. Behind the Scenes at the Civic Theatre
It’s easy to walk past the Civic on Queen Street and admire the Moorish facade without ever thinking about what’s behind the curtain. But go on a behind-the-scenes tour and you’ll discover secret passageways, dressing rooms, hidden staircases and all sorts of quirky theatre lore. The real magic, though, is hearing about the Civic’s original “atmospheric” design and the story of the original owner. It feels like stepping into another era. Highly recommend. Read more about it here.
2. Auckland Museum Rooftop Tour
This one’s not widely advertised and that’s part of what makes it feel so special. Up on the roof of Auckland Museum, you’re treated to panoramic views most visitors never see. You also get a completely different perspective on the building itself—its columns, its copper dome, even the restoration work that’s quietly happening out of sight. I left with a weird appreciation for roofing materials which wasn’t on my bingo card for the day.
The Museum Rooftop Tour was created during Covid to entice Auckland’s to visit the museum as tourists weren’t allowed into the country. The tour is not offered all year round – keep an eye on their page and book once the tour dates are released.
3. Archive Tour at the Museum
If the museum’s galleries are the glossy front window, the archives are the ultra-secure vault hidden deep below—in this case, quite literally. The archives sit underneath the museum, in the original crater of the volcano it was built on. It’s an eerie, atmospheric space—completely void of natural light, and kept that way on purpose. We were accompanied by a security guard the entire time, which made it feel more like stepping into a restricted research facility than a typical museum tour. No photo allowed down there either.
There are around four million objects down there, most of which never make it onto public display. Shelves and drawers packed with everything from ancient taonga to early settler fashion to the kind of small, beautiful, utterly obscure items you’d never expect. It’s a quiet, fascinating place where history lives in the shadows—not dusty, not forgotten, just waiting for the right moment to be brought to light.
Just like the rooftop tour, the archive tour was created during Covid and is not available all year round. Keep an eye on the museum page or sign up to their mailing list to get notified about upcoming tours.
4. Tip Top Ice Cream Factory Tour
This tour is less childhood fantasy, more industrial cool. There’s no need for hairnets or hi-vis—guests are kept safely on an elevated walkway above the action, which gives you a brilliant overview of the entire operation. The factory itself is a world of stainless steel vats, slick machinery and impressive automation. Watching hundreds of ice creams glide along the production line with absolute precision is strangely mesmerising. You’ll learn about the long history & how the classics are made.
And yes – there’s a tasting at the end!
Book this fun and interesting tour here.
5. Chelsea Sugar Factory Tour
Equal parts industrial history and oddly charming outing, the Chelsea Sugar Factory tour is a behind-the-scenes look at one of New Zealand’s sweetest icons. Built in 1884, the factory was established in Birkenhead because of its deep-water port—ideal for ships bringing in raw sugar from overseas.
All sugar sold under the “Made in New Zealand” label comes from this very site, which is kind of mind-blowing when you realise how much sugar we go through as a country. The tour includes a little pink train ride through the grounds (no photos allowed), a look at some of the original machinery still humming away and a full walk-through of how sugar goes from raw to refined. I came away with a new appreciation for the stuff—and an overwhelming urge to bake the second I got home. Book your tour here.
Still on My List: Bioluminescence Kayaking
This one’s been sitting on my wish list for ages. After nightfall, you can paddle through dark, still waters where every stroke of your paddle sets off bursts of blue-green glow. I’ve heard the tours around Torbay are especially good when conditions are right. Fingers crossed this is the year I finally do it.
Unusual Things to Do in Auckland – Final Thoughts
If you’ve already ticked off the obvious sights, it might be time to dig a little deeper.
Add something a bit more sparkly, quirky, or quietly brilliant from my Unusual Things to Do in Auckland list to yours. They’re the sort of experiences that make you see Auckland with new eyes—even if you’ve lived here forever.
Have you done any of these? Got another hidden gem I should know about?
For more recommendations, check out my favourite Auckland spots here: Exploring Auckland – My Favourite Spots.
More New Zealand inspiration for you to discover:
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