Auckland is the gateway to New Zealand, the most populated, most cosmopolitan city, and without a doubt the one that has the most to offer. Auckland is considered by New Zealanders to be a world apart. It has nothing to do with Wellington or Queenstown, where locals are the majority. No, Auckland is a city with its own personality.
Its diversity and the open-mindedness of its inhabitants create a perfect combination for lovers of the big city.
Chill-out plans, walks through the city centre or CBD (central business district), museums where you can lose track of time, parks where you can lie down on the grass, delicious meals, and the occasional getaway to the neighbouring islands.
All this while you gather your energies for the beginning of your real journey. Sounds good, right?
What? This is boring and not for you? You have come to New Zealand not to relax but to live the adventure of a lifetime? Great! That’s the spirit! Auckland is also for adrenaline lovers. Bungee jumping from the Sky Tower, kayaking on Rangitoto Island, surfing in Piha, or magical nights on the extravagant K road.
These are just some of the things you can do in and around Auckland. May I tell you about them?
The best thing about the big city is that you can visit it at any time of the year. There will always be things to do and activities to join. However, in the winter months (June to September) it will be too cold for water activities, like swimming at the beach or others.
Otherwise, you can enjoy stable temperatures between 8º and 22º C during the rest of the year. A curious fact about Auckland and its weather is that torrential rain can fall for 30 minutes and then suddenly stop and the sun comes out.
So, if you get caught in a downpour, don’t worry, it will soon stop and the sun will come out, and you will be able to continue visiting the city.
It’s essential to travel to New Zealand with comprehensive insurance. We were among the first to offer the popular IATI discount, and you can now get it with Heymondo Travel Insurance as well.
You can find more information about both companies through the links provided above, or you can access the discount directly using the buttons below (in both cases, you’ll see the reduced final price on their website):
Internet is mandatory for getting around and using metservice, the country’s weather service. Keeping up to date with the weather is necessary if you don’t want to have any problems. It can also be very useful when translating if you don’t understand English very well.
To do this, we will tell you how to get a New Zealand SIM card with the internet and take advantage of its affordable prices. And now we also have information about the New Zealand eSIM with unlimited data.
Auckland International Airport is not only the gateway to Auckland, but also New Zealand’s main airport. Most international flights will land there, so if you’re flying from abroad you’re likely to find flights landing in the city.
It also serves as a connection for domestic flights between the North and South Islands.
The quickest and most efficient option is to take a direct flight from any of the major cities on the South Island. Examples of cities with direct connections from there are Inverness, Dunedin, Queenstown and Christchurch.
By car it is easy but long, very long. Imagine that you leave from Christchurch, you have to drive to Picton, take one of the two daily ferries that leave from Picton to Wellington and take about 4 hours. And from Wellington straight to Auckland. Everything is well connected and the roads are very good, although the speed limit in some areas is 90 km/h. It took me two days 🙂
If you don’t want to fly, things get complicated if you don’t have a car. You’ll have to combine a bus to Picton with a Picton-Wellington ferry and then a bus back to Auckland. An adventure that will cost you a lot, and not just in time. It’s the same route as the previous one, but with the problem of connecting buses. There is also the possibility of arriving by train from Wellington to Auckland, but the trains are not daily.
Getting there by plane is fairly easy if you’re in Wellington and don’t want to waste time. Although taking a car is the most convenient option, the roads to Auckland are well organised and the journeys are generally direct and safe.
Getting a bus to Auckland from the North Island is relatively easy. The only problem is that, depending on the area, there may only be one direct bus per day, or even less, and you may have to wait several days. However, you can combine them and get there sooner. All buses will arrive at InterCity Sky City Bus Terminal, located in the city centre.
When I think of Auckland, the same image always comes to mind: the Sky Tower, with its multicoloured lights dominating the night sky of the metropolis. This 328-metre-high construction is located right in the CBD. It is considered a symbol of the city, as well as a sign of the country’s prosperity and development. New Zealand wanted its own Sky Tower and Auckland provided it.
PBut the Sky Tower has much more to offer than just the typical Instagram photo. You can climb to the top, dine at one of its luxurious restaurants, or go bungee jumping from the top. This should be a must-see stop and if you can, stay to see the sunset, I can tell you it will be worth it.
Queen Street runs through the city centre, from the public harbour to the bizarre K Road, passing by the Sky Tower. A very charming avenue, but also quite steep. A reflection of what the CBD is like. Streets and hills, up and down…
In my opinion, it’s worth a stroll through it, perhaps stopping at the central library, enjoying a sensory experience at Antea Square, or visiting the parallel St. Patrick’s Cathedral. And if you want to stroll through the city without having to stop at every traffic light, Myers Park will serve as a connection to the neo-baroque Auckland Town Hall.
A little reflection: I walked down Queen Street hundreds of times to get to my English school. At first I hated it because of its steep slope, but in the end I ended up loving it after discovering everything it had to offer. Stopping every day to eat an ice cream at the Yogurt Story helped a lot…
If the Sky Tower is the symbol of the city, the Auckland War Memorial Museum is not far behind. This museum is located on the top of a small hill in the centre of the Domain Park. Its neoclassical architecture contrasts with the skyscrapers that can be seen around it.
It’s worth stopping by to discover New Zealand’s history first-hand. If you want to get involved in New Zealand and Maori culture, this is the perfect place to start.
You can also take a romantic stroll along the Lover’s Walk in the Domain Park itself. You’ll surely forget that you’re in the city and, for a few seconds, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the jungle… And while you’re in the Domain Park, don’t forget to visit the Winter Gardens with their curious statues and tropical plants and flowers.
Auckland, like all New Zealand cities, is full of green parks and small forest reserves in the middle of the city. Cornwall Park in particular is located in the south of the metropolis. Luckily, it is very well connected to the CBD, you can take a bus from line 30 or 309 and get off at the Cornwall Park stop.
Oh! Have I told you about the size of this park yet? No? Well, to give you an idea, it’s so big that it even has cows and sheep grazing in the middle. No joke! An amazing place to walk or relax. Going up One Tree Hill is a must if you go to the park, not only for the views, but to discover a little piece of Maori history. Unfortunately, the tree that gave the hill its name was cut down and an obelisk was erected in its honour.
Finally, you can also enter the planetarium, where you will have the opportunity to see the night stars live through a super powerful telescope. Just book online on their website and enjoy a unique experience.
Western Spring Park is located west of Auckland CBD, more specifically in Grey Lynn. If you take the 105 line from St Matthews in the city centre, the bus will drop you off right at the entrance. Speaking a bit about the place, this picturesque domain stands out for its blue lagoon full of ducks, geese and black swans as well as different birds such as the native fantails (my favourite bird) or the ever annoying Weka (you will find out why in the future).
With all this in mind, it is a perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, take a relaxing stroll and discover the different birds that live there. Western Spring Park will serve as an introduction to many of the animals you will discover on the rest of your New Zealand adventure. You can also stop by Auckland Zoo and see the elephants or giraffes, although it may not be the best place to see animals outside their habitat…
One last thing… Don’t feed the ducks!
Such pleasant memories come to mind when I think of Mount Eden! This was the first crater I set foot on. No, don’t imagine a volcano with lava spewing everywhere. Rather, imagine a gentle hill, with yellow grass and a small path winding through it.
From here you can watch both the sunrise and the sunset. A quiet place to spend time under the shade of a tree and lie down on the thick grass…
Devonport is located north of Auckland, in the Takapuna neighbourhood. I loved this place not only for the pleasant ferry ride (you’ll take it at the Ferry Terminal Downtown) but also for the illusion of being in a simple coastal town. Small markets, a pleasant promenade and a couple of beaches where you can swim if you go in summer.
There’s also a fort that you can wander around and soak up some history. The scenic views from the top of the fortified enclosure will have your camera rolling. Auckland CBD in front of you, in the evening light, with the Sky Tower standing out among the skyscrapers and the darkening sea in between.
If you fancy exploring a little further along its streets, you can reach a small circular lagoon. Nearby you will find the golf course that I will tell you about later.
From the port in Auckland you can book a tour to see the whales that occasionally wander around Auckland Bay. Whales of different kinds, such as Bryde’s whales or even orcas. A plan that is worthwhile not only for the whales and dolphins, but also for the pleasant boat ride around Auckland Bay.
Although it may sound strange, it is true. Well, not exactly tapas tapas, but a kind of route through different breweries in the city with some appetizers in between. I tried it once and it was quite fun, being able to socialize while trying different beers and cocktails always sounds good.
For food lovers, there is a similar version but with international cuisine restaurants where you can try a wide variety of dishes and snacks. Here is my favourite: The Great Auckland Craft Beer Hunt.
Kayaking in New Zealand is one of those activities that everyone should do. Why not start in Auckland? Rangitoto Island is an oasis in the middle of the desert, a virgin place that can only be accessed by hiking trails.
Kayaking along the coast is another fantastic way to explore. You can secure your kayak online and not have to worry about waiting times.
Bungee jumping is one of the most common activities in New Zealand, and Auckland wanted its piece of the pie too. Two places stand out: the Sky Tower and the Auckland Bridge. Which will you choose? To be honest, the views from the Sky Tower are amazing but bungee jumping is less extreme.
The speed of the fall is controlled by a rope with a counterweight (roughly), so the experience is limited. On the other hand, on the Auckland Bridge the jump is 100% real and the adrenaline rush is guaranteed. Are you going to miss it?
Waiheke is the wine island. And not for nothing, it has a large number of vineyards and wineries as well as quality wine. This is a traditional destination for Aucklanders, to escape the big city and go to an island where they can relax and enjoy the gastronomy…
And wine, lots of wine. Normally you will find luxury hotels or rural houses among the vineyards, although in the small town there is a backpacker hotel that is not bad at all.
Getting to the island is very easy, just take a ferry from the North Wharf landing stage and in less than an hour you will reach the small port town of Oneroa. However, all tours will include the ferry, so don’t worry!
Hobbiton is a unique place in the world. Hobbiton allows you to fully immerse yourself in the world of Lord of the Rings. Stroll through the streets of Hobbiton, have a beer at the Green Dragon Inn, smoke a pipe on Gandalf’s carriage and even see Bilbo Baggins’ mythical house from the outside.
An adventure designed especially for Lord of the Rings fans. Get ready and feel like part of this legendary story of Middle Earth for a day.
Getting to this beach will be a bit tricky if you don’t have a car at your disposal. There are a couple of buses that leave daily, so you can get there if you have time. The main lines leave from Queen Street. Here are the schedules.
Is it worth it? Only if you are dying to surf or are going to be in Auckland for a while. The beach is good for swimming and is only rocky near the cliffs. The waves are big and surfable. I want to include this place because of the two rocks that flank the beach, they are really impressive.
Karangahape Road or better known as K Road is perhaps Auckland’s second most famous street. Perpendicular to Queen Street at its highest point, K Road is a different world. During the day, the place is filled with hippie shops and local restaurants with international food. Perfect for strolling and shopping, maybe buying some trinkets or eating Malaysian food.
But when night falls, the street reveals its true colours. If you like to party, this is your place. Here you can find everything, from salsa and bachata in one of the many pubs, to techno and dens in the mystical Family Bar.
It’s crystal clear, Family Bar is the most famous nightclub in all of Auckland. Its relaxed atmosphere, good vibes, LGBT friendly atmosphere, cheap drinks, nightly shows, music… simply ideal. When I lived in Auckland and went out partying, one way or another I always ended up going to Family Bar. Let’s go to K road!
Golf is one of the most popular sports in New Zealand, and you can also enjoy this activity in Auckland. There are several golf courses scattered throughout the city, but I would like to highlight two for their location and easy access: the Chamberlain Park Public Golf Course (adjacent to Wester Spring parks) and the Takapuna Golf Course (in Takapuna).
Both can be perfectly combined with visits to Western Spring Park or Devonport Harbour, so they don’t take you too far off the beaten track. However, bear in mind that you’re in the big city, so there’s a good chance that the courses will be full or very busy. Make sure you book online so you don’t miss out on your place.
Accommodation in Auckland is a topic that deserves special attention. On the one hand, if you want peace and quiet, you can stay in Takapuna, where hotels are mixed with houses and you can prepare your trip around New Zealand. On the other hand, the largest offer of accommodation is concentrated in Auckland CBD and this is where you should stay if you want to get the most out of Auckland.
It is worth mentioning that the variety of accommodation in the outlying areas is very limited. In New Lynn, you can only find a couple of hotels and it is one of the areas closest to the centre.
In the CBD you can find a wide range of backpacker hostels and motels. Prices usually range from $12 to $23 per night in dormitories.
BK hostel is my favourite: a backpacker hostel with kitchens, single and shared rooms. Very good value, maybe one of the cheapest in the city. I lived and worked here for 6 months and I can say from experience that it is a clean and safe hostel. Perhaps the only downside is that it is right on K Road, which means that on weekends the street gets noisy, although if you are the one going to party you won’t mind too much.
Continuing with the same hostel theme, another one I’ve always heard recommended is the Attic Backpacker. It’s located in the city centre, just 200 metres from the Sky Tower and right next to Albert Park. It also has a kitchen, and most of its rooms are dormitories for 4 to 10 people. It’s usually in high demand due to its enviable location, so sometimes they run out of beds available (those who couldn’t get in went to the BK hostel xD)
TAs for hotels in Auckland City Centre, I cannot comment from personal experience, but I can on what I have seen. On Queen Street and K Road there are many hotels with enviable locations and top services. Hotels can range from 3 to 5 stars, and prices per night and private room will exceed $80.
My favourite: VR Queen Street – Hotel & Suites Every time I walked down Queen Street I wondered what it would be like to stay there. Everything seems to indicate that it is one of the best hotels in the city, with its driver waiting at the exit, its perfect location, and its luxurious decorations. Yes, I was jealous, and once I even went to booking to see how beautiful it was inside. That only made it worse. Do yourself a favour, if you want to enjoy a luxury hotel in the city centre, this is your best option. And if you go, please tell me in the comments if it was really worth it.
North of Devonport, staying in Takapuna is your choice in Auckland if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the beach and parks. Although there are fewer hostels in this area, hotels and guest houses or AirBnBs abound.
A very well located guesthouse with very good reviews is Takapuna Beach Accomodation. The nice thing about guesthouses is that they give you a rough idea of how Kiwis live. But I have to say that the style is very, very similar to what you might find in London.
If you fancy a hotel stay, the Emerald Inn on Takapuna has a very good reputation. Here you can enjoy a hotel with sea views and a swimming pool. The price is quite reasonable and the location is good if you want to get away from the city centre and forget about the crowds.
Such a good question! Auckland, like any self-proclaimed cosmopolitan metropolis, has a wide variety of international restaurants to offer. But if you’re looking for local or traditional food, things get more complicated. Still, let’s take a look at what you can expect.
If you’ve decided to stay in the CBD, great, you won’t have any problems finding food. Just drop by Queen Street at its midpoint and you’ll find plenty of Asian restaurants at very good prices.
You can also go to the shopping centre and eat whatever you want. But if you want to enjoy quality food, in the port area you have a wide range of restaurants, some of them with tasting menus.
And if you want the best, go up the Sky Tower and enjoy a romantic dinner with sunset views (reservation required).
In other parts of the city, the offer is more limited. You can usually find some small shopping centres where you can stop for a meal and, with a bit of luck, some quality restaurants. There are usually quite a few fish and chip shops if you are near the sea.
Of course, you can always order food to be delivered and save yourself the stress of not knowing where to go.
If you are a backpacker who wants to save on food and invest as much as possible in your adventure, take note of this tip: Pack and Safe, and Countdown, are two supermarkets that have healthy, already prepared food at a very good price.
You won’t find Pack and Safe in the City Center, but there is a very busy Countdown right next to the Sky Tower 🙂
Getting around Auckland is easy if you stay in the Auckland CBD. From here you can visit all the city’s iconic sites and enjoy the wide variety of activities Auckland has to offer.
You can easily catch a ferry to neighbouring islands or Devonport. Buses will get you there quickly and cheaply.
Also, if you don’t mind walking a bit, you can reach almost all of the places mentioned in the previous section on foot. That said, let’s get into the details.
You can catch the bus from basically any corner in Auckland. The lines are well connected, although, if you have chosen to stay in the outskirts, the journey will be longer and the buses will be less frequent. As a general rule, almost all bus routes start and end in Britomart.
You can buy your AT HOP card at any Minimart or Convenience store. This prepaid card will also be valid for ferries and trains.
To get to the neighbouring islands or around Auckland Harbour, you will need to take the ferry. It’s nothing special, in fact it’s very standard and won’t cause you any problems. The same bus card works for the ferry, so you don’t have to worry about getting a new one. You can get all the information and timetables on this website.
Of course, you can also take a taxi to get anywhere in Auckland. Or Uber if you prefer. Getting around by car is very easy, and traffic is usually light, except during rush hour when it can be hell. The streets are well organized, so getting from one place to another is not complicated.
Just remember that taxi and Uber prices are higher than in Spain, so you may get a surprise when it is time to pay 😉
Using a typical electric scooter can be the quickest and most efficient way to get around Auckland. In fact, there are several apps where you can find out where scooters are parked and how long you can use them. Flamingo and Neuron are the most abundant. You can download the mobile app of the brand of your choice and register in a few simple steps. You will only need to include your passport and a credit card.
Congratulations! You can now move around Auckland on your own. Just keep in mind that there are time slots when these electric scooters are allowed to be used. Otherwise, it may be the best way to get around the city.
And here comes a round of personal tips and recommendations that I always like to leave for the end of the post. It is also a way to summarize all the information and highlight some key points in case there is any doubt. Auckland is my comfort zone so the tips aim to get the most out of comfort.
Auckland is an amazing city that will make you fall in love from the start. However, not everything is so pretty, especially if you have just arrived in New Zealand. Landing in Auckland from other parts of the world might have cost you a good 20 hours, that is if you are lucky enough to have taken a flight with only one or two stops. Do you know that there is now a 12-hour time difference with Europe? Have you heard of jetlag? I had it for three days, with horrible headaches.
In short, what I want to say with all this is that, after a long trip, the only thing you want is to rest and not have to think too much about what to do or see. New Zealand is a country with thousands of places that will take your breath away and experiences that will give you goosebumps.
It’s worth spending two or three days in Auckland and seeing a few things while you recharge your batteries and prepare for the real adventure. That’s why I recommend staying in Auckland CBD and wandering around at your leisure.
Visit the Auckland Memorial War Museum, go up the Sky Tower, grab a bite to eat by the harbour and maybe head to Cornwall Park for some more relaxation if you’re feeling fancy.
Click on the image and it will take you to a new Google Maps window with all the points of interest to travel around Auckland.
