Auckland isn’t the place to visit if you’re looking to relax during your New Zealand car hire holiday - there’s simply too much to do all over the city.

Whether you only have a day in Auckland or are planning a longer trip, your first step should be to pick up a car rental at Auckland Airport so you can zip about the city and fit in as many attractions and sights as possible.

Here are some of our top picks for Auckland’s highlights!

What to do in Auckland in winter

Wondering what is there to do in Auckland in winter? Fortunately, Auckland’s winters are reasonably mild temperature-wise, rarely dropping anywhere near freezing level. It can get a little rainy, so consider these warm, indoor attractions if you arrive on a miserable day!

● Snowplanet: Auckland might not see a lot of snow, but you still can with a visit to Snowplanet. This indoor ski slope offers an easy way to get your snow fix without driving hours to the nearest ski field.

● Spookers: Do you like scary movies? Spookers is for you! This haunted house attraction will see you exploring an abandoned mental institution - but beware of the creepy ghouls lurking in the shadows.

What can you do in Auckland for free?

Image: Umedha Hettigoda, CC-BY-SA-2.0, via Flickr

On a budget? You don’t need to spend a fortune when exploring Auckland in your rental car. Here are some of Auckland’s best free attractions:

● Tamaki Drive: Tamaki Drive is a beautiful - but short - drive along the waterfront between downtown Auckland and Mission Beach. Instead of driving, consider walking this route (it will take roughly an hour one-way) and perhaps treating yourself to an ice cream at Mission Beach when you arrive.

● Mt Eden: Mt Eden is a suburb in Auckland, but it is also an old extinct volcano. You can easily drive to the top to enjoy views of the city, and check out the large grassy crater at the top of the mountain. Don’t forget to pack a picnic!

What can families do in Auckland?

Auckland is a family-friendly city, with many attractions you can visit together that everyone will enjoy.

● Auckland Zoo: The Auckland Zoo isn’t just a place for kids. For those new to New Zealand, this is a great opportunity to see a rare kiwi bird (you will not likely see one in the wild), as well as other local creatures such as the weta.

● Silo Park: Silo Park is an area of waterfront right next to Auckland’s downtown. It’s a gorgeous outdoor space where you can check out the boats, sample ice creams and gelatos, and enjoy regular events such as markets and free outdoor movies. There’s also a great kids’ playground so you can rest with a coffee while the young ones play.

Things to do outside Auckland

If you have the freedom of a rental car from Auckland Airport, you can nip outside the city to nearby attractions as well. Here are some of the best places to visit outside Auckland with your rental:

● Piha: Piha is one of New Zealand’s best surf beaches, and one of the most scenic. It’s just an hour from Auckland, and as well as swimming, surfing and sunbathing, there are also numerous walking tracks nearby, such as the Kitekite Falls track.

● Tawharanui Open Sanctuary: The Tawharanui Open Sanctuary is roughly 90 minutes north of Auckland, and is a place that mixes conservation and sightseeing. The entire area is fenced off from predators, which allows native birdlife to thrive, but as well as birdwatching, you can swim, hike, and even camp overnight.

For a few sightseeing ideas even further from Auckland, check out our top picks for three-day road trips to try with your Auckland rental car.