Best Viewing Locations

For many Aucklanders, watching the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta from a sunny spot on shore is a treasured annual tradition. Pack a picnic and enjoy a fun day out for the whole family, watching Auckland’s harbours come alive and the maritime history of our nation in action.

Some of the best viewing locations are:

Westhaven & RNZYS

For one of the best vantage points in the city to watch the historic Auckland Anniversary Regatta, head down to the tower at Westhaven which marks the start and finish line for many of the races.

The RNZYS will be open to the public on Auckland Anniversary Day, so it’s a great location to base yourself for the day. You’ll be able to watch all the main events from the upper deck at the RNZYS, or from Westhaven Drive, including the tugboat race, classic launch and classic yacht races. Plus later in the day the passage races will finish at Westhaven too.

Princes Wharf & Queen's Wharf

There’s always a good crowd down at the Auckland Waterfront on Anniversary Day. Head out to the end of the wharves to see the tugboat and classics races as they come past.

Viaduct Harbour

The Viaduct basin is full of energy on Anniversary Day, as the location for the Dragonboat races. These short, sharp and highly competitive events always draw a crowd of excited onlookers.

Bastion Point

The Bastion Point memorial is a fantastic viewpoint to watch some of the lengthier harbour races featuring both classic and modern yachts, along with the passage races as they return from the Gulf. You'll also have front row seats to all the action at Tamaki Yacht Club, where dinghy racing usually takes place throughout the day.

Maungauika / North Head

Steeped in Naval history, Maungauika / North Head is the perfect spot from which to see this iconic maritime event. It’s a great location to watch the classic and modern keelers as they compete in the harbour races, with frequent tack and gybe maneuvers as they navigate the changing wind conditions around the peninsula.

Please note the vehicle entrance gate and inner roads of Maungauika / North Head will be closed to cars. Accessible parking is available in the Maungauika carparks but spaces are limited. Secure bike parking is available in the lower carpark on the maunga, with a team there to look after your bike for you.

East Coast Bays

Head to any of the East Coast Bays on Anniversary Day and you’ll see a good variety of racing - from classics and modern keelers to dinghy racing and Sea Scouts.