I recently visited Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, at the beginning of a two week cruise throughout New Zealand and Australia. It was my first time to New Zealand, and I was immediately captivated by this beautiful city, known as the City of Sails. Auckland’s stunning setting is located on the North Island, between two sparkling harbors and surrounded by dormant volcanoes. As the gateway to the North Island, Auckland offers a rich mix of Maori heritage, big city attractions, great shopping, numerous museums, coastal escapes, and outdoor adventure. Auckland also boasts a diverse culinary scene that reflects its multicultural identity, with everything from Asian street eats and traditional hangi feasts to high-end restaurants and award-winning wines from nearby regions.
We spent two days in Auckland, enough time to see some of the city’s many highlights and attractions, as well as a nature escape to nearby Waiheke Island. For those with more time, especially nature enthusiasts, there is plenty to explore just beyond the city center. To the west, the Waitākere Ranges offer lush rainforests, waterfalls, and rugged black-sand beaches like Pihaand Karekare, perfect for hiking, surfing, or simply soaking in the wild beauty. For a more relaxed pace, head north to the Matakana region, known for its weekend farmers’ markets, art trails, and wineries.
Day 1 – Exploring the Heart of Auckland
We started our day exploring the heart of Auckland, the Central Business District (CBD). The CBD is nestled between the Waitematā Harbour to the north, and Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Square to the south. It is dominated by the city’s ever growing skyline, crowned by the modern Sky Tower, a popular tourist attraction. The CBD is home to major corporate headquarters, high-end shopping, luxury hotels, and a thriving dining scene, making it the perfect base for visitors. Modern glass buildings sit alongside historic architecture. From Queen’s Wharf, ferries glide residents and visitors to the many nearby islands.
Sky Tower – Standing in the heart of Auckland is the Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere at 1,076 feet. This popular attraction offers panoramic 360 degree views and is a great way to get an orientation of the city. The tower offers five levels for visitors, however, the setup is somewhat awkward. After paying the entrance fee, we were taken by elevator to Level 52, where the Orbit 360˚ Dining restaurant is located. From there, we took stairs down to the Main observation level (51), which offers an enclosed view from 610 feet above the ground. To get to the highest level, we then had to take an elevator back the Lookout (Level 53). This level offers both a SkyJump and SkyWalk. The SkyJump is similar to a bungy jump, where the brave fall at a very fast speed of up to 52 miles per hour for around 11 seconds before coming to a smooth landing at the tower’s base. The Sky Walk allows visitors suspended by rope to walk around the outside ring without any handrails, 629 feet above the ground, while guides point out the sites of Auckland and environs below. The tower also features a gift shop, and a virtual reality experience known as SkySlide.
Albert Park – On the east side of the CBD sits Albert Park, an oasis offering a peaceful escape. The park’s manicured gardens, historic statues, Victorian-era fountain, and exotic trees offer a peaceful escape from the bustling city. The park sits on a hill offering a panoramic view of the downtown skyline. Next door is the Auckland Art Gallery. Established in 1888, the gallery has an extensive collection encompassing over 17,000 artworks on four levels, including Māori and Pacific art, as well as European masterpieces and contemporary international works.
Queen Street – Queen Street lies within the core of the CBD, running north-south between the ferry terminal at Queens Wharf and Newton Road. Queen Street is an attractive thoroughfare lined with shops, cafes, hotels, theaters and banks, and is a favorite spot for both locals and tourists. Visitors can find everything from global fashion brands and New Zealand-made goods to casual eateries and fine dining. Queen Street also serves as a major transport hub, with buses, trains, and ferries making it an accessible and lively gateway to Auckland’s many neighborhoods and attractions.
Viaduct Harbour – Along the waterfront at the north end of Queen Street sits the vibrant and expansive Viaduct Harbour. The harbour blends maritime charm with urban sophistication. Originally developed as a base for the America’s Cup yacht races, it was later transformed into a lively destination filled with restaurants, bars, luxury apartments, and yachts. We walked along the harbour toward the Wynard Quarter where we came across some super yachts, including the IJE, a 300 foot long floating palace (built at a cost of $357 million) owned by Australian billionaire James Packer. By day, the harbour is a great place to stroll, have a coffee, or catch a ferry or tour boat. At night, the harbour comes alive with locals and tourists dining at the many cafes lining the waterfront.
New Zealand Maritime Museum – We headed to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, located in the heart of the Viaduct Harbour. It’s Māori name is Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa. This museum offers an immersive journey through the nation’s rich maritime heritage, with exhibits that trace New Zealand’s connection to the sea. These include a fascinating display of early Polynesian navigators and boats, as well as exhibits focusing on European exploration and colonization, and modern maritime innovations and achievements, including the America’s Cup. Visitors can explore a diverse collection of artifacts, including historical sea vessels, navigation instruments, and maritime art.
Our entry fee included the optional one-hour sailing on the heritage vessel, the Ted Ashby, providing a hands-on experience of Auckland’s nautical traditions. We sailed around the scenic Waitematā Harbour observing the outlying islands, the downtown skyline and Auckland Harbour Bridge, while the crew explained the various rigging requirements.
Auckland War Memorial Museum – We ended our afternoon at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, located in a large neoclassical building atop a hill within the picturesque Auckland Domain, a large public park. One of New Zealand’s most important cultural institutions, the museum offers a rich collection of exhibits covering Māori and Pacific Island cultures, natural history, and New Zealand’s military heritage. We were fascinated by the intricately carved Māori meeting houses and ancient Polynesian artifacts, as well as the poignant war memorials.
Day 2 – A Visit to Waiheke Island
We spent most of our second day on Waiheke Island, just a 40-minute ferry ride from the Auckland harbor. This beautiful island feels like it could be hundreds of miles away from an urban area. It’s known for its golden beaches, rolling vineyards, and laid-back charm. Waiheke is often referred to as the “Island of Wine,” because of its award-winning wineries and olive groves. Here you can also find beautiful secluded coves, walking trails, and small villages filled with cafes, boutiques and art galleries.
We purchased a combined ferry and hop on hop off shuttle ticket from Get Your Guide, and boarded the ferry at the downtown ferry terminal. We passed other islands, including Rangitoto Island, known for its active volcano and lava fields. A short time later, we arrived at the western end of Waiheke island, where we boarded one of the regularly scheduled shuttle buses. There are two sets of shuttle buses – those that traverse the western side of the island, and those that go further to the eastern side of the island. We took the western shuttle bus to its terminus at Onetangi, where we enjoyed a delicious al fresco seafood lunch at Charlie’s, facing Onetangi Beach, followed by a leisurely walk on the white sand beach. This beach is great for swimming, sunbathing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, and the beach includes a public toilet. Waiheke also boasts other beautiful beaches including Oneroa Beach and Palm Beach, both on the northwest side of the island.
We spent a relaxing afternoon at Goldie Estate, the first vineyard on Weiheke Island, established in 1978 by Kim and Jeanette Goldwater. The estate sprawls over 30 acres of rolling hills offering amazing views of Putaki Bay. After the original owners retired, the family donated the vineyard to the University of Auckland, which now operates the Wine Science Center, providing a unique learning experience for the students to be immersed in a fully operational winery. The winery is committed to sustainable wine growing, and features the Cellar Door, where guests can enjoy and learn about a range of premium estate wines. After our tasting, we hiked up a hill that was dominated by a large tree that is used as the logo of the Goldie Estate label. From the top of the hill, we were awarded a spectacular view of the vineyards, Putaki Bay and the surrounding hills.
Waiheke is knowns for its wineries, and there are numerous others scattered throughout the island, with Mudbrick, Cable Bay, and Tantalus Estate among the favorites, offering excellent wine, elegant architecture and lush gardens.
We ended our day on Waiheke walking around the quaint town of Oneroa, the primary population center on the island, and visited the numerous shops and enjoyed delectable flavors of gelato. Art lovers can explore the town’s several galleries, as well as the Waiheke Community Art Gallery. For nature enthusiasts, there are numerous walking trails with panoramic views. We hiked a wooded trail through the Atawhai Whenua Reserve on our way back to the ferry. Another scenic trail on the island near the ferry includes the Matietie Walk that provides views of both Matiatia Bay and Owhanake Bay.
Auckland Restaurants
Auckland has hundreds of great multi-ethnic restaurants to serve any taste and budget. We only had time to check out a few, listed below.
Tuck Shop – An inexpensive Meat Pie shop located in the Wynyard Quarter, featuring a variety of tasty Kiwi meat pies, sandwiches, pastries and desserts.
Oyster and Chop – A classic steak house at the Viaduct Harbour that also features a variety of seafood emphasizing its oyster bar. Meat dishes include Wagyu beef, lamb, duck, and pork belly.
White and Wong’s – This restaurant at the Viaduct Harbour describes itself as where ‘East meets West’. The cuisine includes reimagined street foods from China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, including Peking Duck, various curry dishes, wok dishes and dumplings. There is also another location in the Newmarket neighborhood.
Getting To and Around Auckland
Most international travelers arrive via Auckland Airport (AKL), located about 12 miles south of the city center. The airport is well-connected, with direct flights from major cities in Australia, Asia, North America, and the Pacific. From the airport, visitors can reach central Auckland via a variety of transport options:
- SkyDrive express bus – offers a direct and affordable connection to the CBD.
- Shuttle vans and taxis – Readily available, offering door-to-door service.
- Rideshare services – Rideshare services such as Uber and Ola operate from the airport.
- Car Rental – Most major car rental services are available at the airport. The drive into the city typically takes 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.
Auckland’s public transport network, managed by AT (Auckland Transport), includes buses, trains, and ferries, all of which use a reloadable AT HOP card for discounted fares and easy transfers. The bus network is extensive and reaches most areas of the city, including popular tourist spots. The train system, while limited in comparison to larger cities, is a reliable way to travel between central Auckland and outer suburbs. For exploring the city’s scenic waterfront and nearby islands, ferries are a fantastic option. Regular services depart from the Downtown Ferry Terminal to destinations like Waiheke Island, Devonport, and Rangitoto Island.
Other options for getting around Auckland and its environs include:
- Walking and biking – Walking or biking is an ideal way for exploring compact areas like the CBD, Ponsonby, and the waterfront. The city has been improving its cycle paths, especially in central districts. Bike and e-scooter share services can be found throughout the city.
- Car rentals – Car rentals are useful for venturing outside the city, especially to the beaches, regional parks, or destinations like the Coromandel or Rotorua.
- Hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses – Sightseeing buses such as the Auckland Explorer Bus are a convenient way for visitors to hit major landmarks without navigating public transport.