With glaciers, fjords, thermal springs and dramatic coastlines awaiting visitors in New Zealand, the city of Auckland often gets overlooked in lieu of the grand adventures awaiting just beyond its doorstep.
But don’t sleep on the capital; its compact centre is a great place to ease into your New Zealand adventure and shake off the jet lag, and spectacular day trips are just a short drive or ferry ride away for those who can’t wait to start exploring.
Lively pedestrian-only walkways, high-end shopping and sunny outdoor patios await, along with waterfront walks to admire the gem-toned water and gleaming yachts floating in the marinas.
Conveniently, most of Auckland’s top sights are concentrated in the pedestrian-friendly downtown area, so it’s easy to get around without a car for those staying in the central business district (CBD).
From taking in the sky high attractions to soaking up the vineyard views, here’s how to make the most of 2 days in Auckland.
Best things to do in Auckland, New Zealand
Day 1: The CBD and SkyTower
A great way to kick off your Auckland itinerary (and stretch your legs after a long flight) is to simply wander around the CBD which is right along the waterfront; even with our baby in tow, we managed to hit the highlights in just a couple hours.
Viaduct Harbour
The picturesque marina area is where you’ll find some of the best photo-ops and most of the action in Auckland, as this area hosts restaurants, bars and cafes with outdoor patios overlooking the harbours around Princes Wharf.
Ferries to the surrounding islands in the Hauraki Gulf leave from here, and there are some architecturally innovative buildings, the New Zealand Maritime Museum and the Auckland sign—a must-do photo-op for tourists.
Walk across Wynyard Crossing (also known as Te Wero Bridge), a pedestrian and cyclist bridge that lifts to allow watercraft to pass underneath, and keep an eye out for the colourful statues of Kiwi birds scattered around the city centre.
Queen Street and Britomart
To satisfy your shopping fix, head a couple blocks over to Queen Street which is lined with shops, hotels and luxury high end stores. You’ll find a couple of entertainment venues like a comedy club and theatre here, and there are often buskers.
Take a peek down the hidden laneways like Imperial Lane, Durham Lane and Vulcan Lane which house open-air restaurants and bars, or drop into Commercial Bay mall which has more than 100 stores and eateries.
Britomart is at the end of Queen Street along the waterfront, where boutiques and specialty stores featuring New Zealand-made products are tucked into restored heritage buildings.
The area is especially lively during the weekly Saturday market in Takutai Square (think food trucks, fresh produce and flowers), and a hub of activity at nighttime as it’s home to some of Auckland’s best cocktail bars and clubs.
Sky Tower
Cap off your first day in Auckland by catching the sunset from the Sky Tower. At 328 metres tall it’s one of the tallest freestanding structures in the southern hemisphere, with 360° views of the skyline, harbour and volcanoes rising out of the gulf.
There are three observation decks at The Lookout on Level 53, the Orbit 360˚ Dining revolving restaurant, a cafe, gift shop, and the country’s highest bar where you can grab a drink among the clouds.
Up for a bit of an adrenaline rush? This is New Zealand after all, so it’s no surprise there are options to walk around the Sky Tower’s storeys-high walkway, or even leap off of it. During the SkyWalk experience guests are harnessed in and can walk around a 7-foot wide walkway that’s 192 metres high–and there are no handrails.
True daredevils can sign up for a SkyJump to experience the thrill of a base jump suspended by a wire. It’s actually more similar to being in a movie stunt versus bungee jumping, since you stay upright the whole time and gently land on your feet at the end. But this definitely isn’t for the faint of heart, as you’ll be plummeting straight down at speeds of up to 85kph for about a dozen seconds!
Book with GetYourGuide
Day 2: Day trips from Auckland
As most of Auckland’s sites can easily be explored in half a day, I recommend spending your second day heading outside the city for a day trip—the hardest part is picking which one to do!
One of the best decisions we made when planning our 10 day New Zealand itinerary was heading over to Waiheke Island.
This special spot is like Hawaii-meets-Napa Valley: think lush landscapes, tranquil beaches, award-winning wineries and a laid back vibe. The scenery is stunning, and the small island can easily be explored by car so spending the day leisurely beach hopping and wine tasting was the perfect way to ease into our trip after the long flight over.
READ MORE: Vineyards and Views: A Waiheke Island day trip from Auckland
Start off by wandering around Oneroa Village, the main town where a palm tree lined strip hosts boutiques, art galleries, a gelato shop, cafes and restaurants overlooking Blackpool Beach.
There are plenty of beaches (including some where you can watch surfers frolicking in the waves), forested walking trails, and about two dozen boutique vineyards which have earned Waiheke the nickname ‘Island of Wine.’
Getting to and around Waiheke Island
The ferry terminal in Auckland was literally next door to our hotel (the Hilton Auckland–more on that below), and since the ride to Waiheke only takes half an hour it was a cinch to organize our day trip.
A hop on/hop off bus links some of the most popular spots around the island which is a great option, but since we were travelling with our baby we opted to rent a car instead which cost about $100 for the day and we were able to pick it up in the ferry terminal on the other side.
Globe Guide tip: It’s extremely expensive (hundreds of dollars) to take a vehicle across on the ferry, so it’s more economical to rent a car on Waiheke Island instead of Auckland, especially if you’re only visiting for the day.
Book a Waiheke Island tour here:
Since we only had one extra day in the Auckland area there wasn’t time for any other day trips before jetting down to the South Island, but there are lots of great options for those staying longer including:
Hobbiton Movie Set
This is one of the most popular attractions in New Zealand, where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were filmed. Guided walking tours include stops at the famous Hobbit Hole doors, Bagshot Row to see the inside of the hobbit homes, The Millhouse and stopping for a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
Hobbiton is located on a 1250 acre sheep farm near Matamata which is a two-hour drive south of Auckland, and there are lots of guided tours available for those not wanting to self-drive. Be sure to pre-book your tour/tickets, as slots can get filled up well in advance especially during high season.
Book a Hobbiton tour here:
Rotorua
This is another long drive (about 2 ½-3 hours each way), but the effort is rewarded with geothermal parks, bubbling mud pools, relaxing spas, natural hot springs and adrenaline-fueled activities like ziplining and zorbing.
Rangitoto Island
A short ferry ride brings visitors to the uninhabited Rangitoto Island, known for its iconic volcanic cone that rises out of the Hauraki Gulf and being home to home to the world’s largest pōhutukawa forest. Hike up to the summit and walk around the rim of the crater (don’t worry, it’s dormant!), explore the lava fields, enjoy a beach walk or head out on a sea kayaking excursion.
Globe Guide tip: Bring lots of food and water, as there aren’t any shops on the island.
Piha Beach
Closer to Auckland (45 minute drive), Piha Beach is a fave of Kiwis looking for a beach break. Marked by rugged cliffs and great for surfing, the black sand beach is surrounded by native forests with scenic walking trails.
Waitomo Caves
New Zealand is one of only a few countries in the world with glowworm caves, an incredible natural phenomenon where hundreds of twinkling glowworms which look like sparkling stars light up the dark cavern. Seeing them up close is an unforgettable, even meditative experience that feels like a glimpse into another world.
The closest spot to Auckland to see them is the Waitomo Caves, a 2 ½ hour drive south of the city (which you can combine with a visit to Rotorua). Learn about the cave’s history, geological formations and the glowworms which illuminate the caverns with their bioluminescent light during a one hour tour inside the cavern, including a boat ride where you’ll silently glide beneath them.
RELATED: Exploring New Zealand’s mesmerizing Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Book a Waitomo Caves tour here:
Where to stay in Auckland
Hilton Auckland
I simply cannot say enough good things about our stay at the Hilton Auckland, and my only regret is that we couldn’t stay longer!
The location at the end of Princes Wharf is unbeatable, in the heart of the CBD and alongside the ferry terminal so it’s a short walk to all the main highlights (which also makes it a popular pick for the cruise crowd).
The property itself dazzles, and was designed to look like a gleaming white ship with the exterior featuring unique angles and curves.
Our luxe, spacious suite featured floor-to-ceiling windows all the way around and a wraparound balcony, which was incredible for taking in the harbour views.
The lobby area is also nautical-themed, and on-site amenities include a fantastic on-site restaurant, lounge area, gym and outdoor pool. Click here to book on Expedia or reserve on Booking.com
DoubleTree by Hilton Auckland Karaka
We flew back to Auckland from the South Island the afternoon before our international flight home, and headed straight to the DoubleTree by Hilton Auckland Karaka.
This hotel is a great option for visitors who are transiting as it’s closer to the airport (less traffic), and not as pricey as most properties in the CBD. It’s also family-friendly: a crib was waiting when we got to our room, complete with the cutest set of baby blankets and a hooded towel.
Located next to equestrian grounds, the DoubleTree’s modern rooms have a good amount of space and there’s a bar, restaurant and outdoor pool to relax in before the long flight home. Click here to book with Expedia or reserve on Booking.com
YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:
SHARE THE PINSPIRATON! CLICK THE IMAGES BELOW TO PIN:
This post may contain affiliate links, which Globe Guide receives compensation for at no additional cost to you.
