Itineraries for Your Trip to Auckland
1 Day in Auckland for First Timers
I spent my teenage years in a small Northland town, a two-hour drive from Auckland, and now live on the South Island, so I can confidently tell you how different Auckland is from the rest of New Zealand. It’s big and beautiful, and it likes to think it’s the center of New Zealand—because, in many respects, it is. On a skinny sliver of land connecting the peninsula of Northland with the rest of the North Island, Auckland is smack-dab in the middle of an enormous volcanic field. With beaches, forests, diverse local and international cultures, and, yes, many volcanoes, there’s a lot to love about Auckland. Here’s how to spend one day in the City of Sails.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a stroll through the Viaduct Basin and Wynyard Quarter.
Auckland is hot and humid in summer and cool and rainy in winter—year-round rain is the norm, so dress appropriately and have indoor backup plans.
Start your day in Auckland with a sightseeing tour or a hop-on hop-off bus, which will introduce you to Auckland’s landmarks and culture. Look out for the iconic Sky Tower, the Auckland Domain, and the grassy slopes of volcanic Mt. Eden and Rangitoto Island. Have lunch at upmarket Parnell, try the international food court at Commercial Bay, or enjoy views of the harbor and yachts at the Viaduct Harbour.
In the afternoon, catch a ferry from the Downtown Ferry Terminal to Devonport on the North Shore. Look back and admire the city views as you sail across the harbor. Spend the afternoon browsing the boutiques, galleries, and cafes of Devonport. If you’d rather get active, catch a ferry to Rangitoto Island, a dormant volcano in the Hauraki Gulf. Hike through the pohutukawa forest and lava fields to the 850-foot (260-meter) summit for great views and some exercise.
With just one night in Auckland, you’ll want to make the most of it with a special dinner. Hop on board a yacht for a dinner cruise, tasting fresh seafood and local Auckland wine from Waiheke Island or Kumeu Wine Country while admiring the sunset. Alternatively, book a table at the revolving restaurant atop the Sky Tower. It revolves once in an hour, so you can take in the sweeping views as you dine. After, head to nearby Britomart, K’ Road, or Parnell for some after-dinner drinks.
