5 Days in Auckland: A First Timer's Guide
TRIP OVERVIEW
DAY ONE
Your very first day in Auckland, NZ! Arrival in AKL, a relaxed walk through an iconic park, dinner + drinks in the liveliest area of AKL.
DAY TWO
Out + about early with a day trip to one of the most well-known volcanoes in AKL. Shopping + a yum dinner (of course!)
DAY THREE
Venture out west, taking the scenic route through some of Auckland's most beautiful nature! Hiking, walking, waterfalls + more...
DAY FOUR
A beautiful waterfront walk + brunch to start the day off right. A day jam-packed with culture, history, and learning all about NZ!
DAY FIVE
Your last day in Auckland! Finishing off with a bang by having a day full of wine tasting, and catching one last iconic view of the city
DAY ONE
8:00am: Arrival in Auckland
Arrive at Auckland International Airport! After gathering your bags and going through customs + immigration, you can rent a car easily from the airport. Ubers are also widely available throughout the city.
SOL TRAVEL TIP: If renting a car, remember that Kiwis drive on the left side of the road, so this may take some getting used to!
10:00am: Cornwall Park
Cornwall park is a great stop on the way from the airport as it is located right in between the airport and downtown. Have a bite to eat at Cornwall Park Café, and wander around the park for a bit (bonus if you’re able to see some sheep and cows – the first of many you’ll probably see on your trip in NZ). Walk up One Tree Hill to get a bit of history of NZ + to see a great view of Auckland.
3:00pm: Check into Accommodation + Refresh
Most places allow check-in from 3:00pm. After checking in, take time to set your bags down, relax + refresh before heading out again.
SOL TRAVEL TIP: I recommend staying in or near the Viaduct Harbor! This is a lively, but very nice + safe area in downtown Auckland. It is also perfectly located within walking distance to the ferry terminal (if you plan on checking out Waiheke Island, Devonport, or Rangitoto Island). It is also within walking distance to Britomart train station (if you plan on using public transport during your trip).
4:00pm: Explore the Viaduct + Wynard Quarter
Walk around and explore the many shops, restaurants and bars in the area. I recommend venturing west to the Wynyard Quarter, and having a bite to eat at North Park, or grabbing a takeaway coffee from Rushworth Café.
If you’re looking to have an early dinner while in the Wynyard Quarter, check out Good Luck Coconut for some great Asian fusion food, + cocktails!
7:00pm: Dinner + Drinks
After making your way back to the Viaduct Harbor area, it will probably be time to eat! Some great dinner options in the Viaduct are:
DAY TWO
8:00am: Rangitoto Island
Get up and going early with a day trip to Rangitoto Island! This one of the many volcanoes to see in Auckland, but also the largest! An iconic landmark on Auckland’s city skyline, it makes for a great day-trip and an amazing way to get some steps in for the day. In about an hour, you can do a gentle climb through some lava fields, and arrive at the summit of the volcano. Don't forget to take some time to explore the lava caves on the way back!
Rangitoto Island is a short 25-minute ferry ride, departing from Auckland’s downtown ferry terminal. I recommend booking tickets ahead of time. Also, there’s only ONE departure time per day, so make sure to see the ferry schedule to catch the ferry on time.
SOL TRAVEL TIP: There are no café’s or restaurants on the island, so it’s a good idea to pack a lunch or bring some snacks to sit and eat a little something while on the island. On a nice day, this could make for the perfect mid-day picnic!
3:00pm: Return from Rangitoto Island
After exploring Rangitoto Island, make your way back to the city! There are three different departure times that will take you back to the city, so depending on how much time you want to spend on the island, there are different time options for you.
4:00pm: Relax + Refresh / Shopping in Britomart
If you’ve opted to stay in the Viaduct, you will luckily be just a short walk from the ferry terminal back to your Airbnb/hotel.
----Option A: If you’re needing a rest from your big morning on Rangitoto, walk back to your accommodation and relax! If you didn’t pack food to eat while on Rangitoto, check out Burger Boy to grab some burgers to bring back to your room!
----Option B: If you’re feeling good to go, do a bit of shopping in Commercial Bay! This is a great time to pick up some small souvenirs for friends + family back home. Make sure to also check out some local NZ brands (Deadly Ponies, Flo + Frankie, General Pants Co. + more!)
6:00pm: Dinner in Ponsonby
Head over to the Ponsonby area for dinner tonight! Choose from a variety of options in Ponsonby Central, a fancy food-court similar option, that also features a nice indoor + outdoor seating areas. Alternatively, there are many restaurants to choose from on Ponsonby Road. Some favorites are:
8:00pm: Drinks after Dinner
If you’re looking to carry on with a few after-dinner drinks, there are some great (and close!) options right around the Ponsonby area.
DAY THREE
8:00am: Day Trip to Piha
Piha is a black-sand beach, and popular for surfing, but also a great area for hiking, as there are native forests in the surrounding hills. It is a quick 45-minute drive to Piha Beach from the city, and it will allow you to get a feel for New Zealand’s nature + tramping culture (what Kiwi’s call hiking!).
SOL TRAVEL TIP: Tramping in New Zealand is very safe! There are NO snakes or poisonous plants, creatures, or predators you have to worry about when walking.
I recommend starting with Mercer Bay Loop Walk, which takes about an hour to complete. If you have extra energy afterwards, check out the Kitekite Falls walk. This is in the same area, but gives a different scenery, and leads to a massive waterfall. Depending on the time of year, the waterfall is a great area to go for quick swim before starting your walk back.
----Option A: Alternatively, Bethell's Beach (located just north of Piha) has an amazing walk, Te Henga Walkway. This walk is a bit longer and has various routes available for 1 hour, 2.5 hours, or even 6 hours round trip! If you are looking for a bigger walk/hike to get your legs moving, but still with an amazing view (similar to that of Mercer Bay Loop Walk), this may be the option for you!
12:00pm: Lunch
After spending the morning tramping in the NZ bush, you deserve to rest your legs + have a cold beer! On your way back to the city, make a pit stop at Hallertau Brewery. This is a bit of scenic detour, but is one of the best breweries in Auckland. Great environment, food + beers — a must-try!
4:00pm: Relax + Refresh
After checking out Hallertau Brewery, begin the 30-minute drive back to your accommodation. Once you get back, take a bit of time to relax + refresh, as you may want a short rest from your morning full of walking!
----Option A: If you are feeling good to go, now is a great time to catch up on some activities that you may not have gotten around to. For example, if you didn't check out the Wynard Quarter on the first night, or didn't get much souvenir shopping done on the second night, now is a great chance to do so.
6:00pm: Dinner on the North Shore
If you've opted to stay in the Viaduct Harbor, driving over to the North Shore for dinner is a great option, and only about a 15 minute drive. On this route, you will drive over the famous Auckland Harbor Bridge, which connects the main city and the North Shore. It is also a popular place for bungee jumping — if you are feeling adventurous!
Once on the North Shore, there are many different areas you could check out for dinner, but one of my favorite areas on the shore is Takapuna. Some options for dinner in Takapuna are:
DAY FOUR
8:00am: Walk along Tamaki Drive
Located outside of the main city center is Tamaki Drive! This is a 5-mile long coastal road which connects the areas + beaches of: Mission Bay, Kohimarama, and St. Heliers. Along this road is also a walking pathway for an easy, coastal, scenic walk through these areas.
----Option A: Park in St. Heliers + grab a takeaway coffee from St. Heliers Bay Bistro for your walk! Start walking west, towards Kohimarama + Mission Bay area.
(St. Heliers to Kohimarama: 1.5 mile walk RT / St. Heliers to Mission Bay: 3 mile walk RT)
----Option B: Park in Kohimarama + walk east towards St. Heliers. Check out some of the local shops + pop into St. Heliers Bay Home Cookery for a pie! Walk back to your car in Kohimarama.
(Kohimarama to St. Heliers: 1.5 mile walk RT)
SOL TRAVEL TIP: Whichever route you choose, you’ll have a great view of the coast + of Rangitoto Island (where you visited on Day 2 of your trip!) There are also public bathrooms located all along the waterfront, for easy access on your walk.
10:00am: Brunch
Some great options for a late breakfast or lunch in the area are:
12:00pm: Auckland War Memorial Museum + Auckland Domain
Next, head over to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Located in the Auckland Domain, and great for any day (but especially for rainy days!), this is a must-do to get a good background on New Zealand history and culture. Either before or after checking out the museum, take a stroll around the Auckland Domain. This park is a popular walking spot with locals, and beautiful on a sunny day!
----Option A: If you have extra time, and are looking to do some shopping in the area, check out Newmarket. There are many shops located on Broadway Street, and Westfield Newmarket Shopping Mall is also located on this street.
4:00pm: Afternoon/Sunset Walk up Mount Eden
Mount Eden is Auckland’s tallest volcano, and free to walk up! It is a 1.2mile walk up to the crater of the volcano, where you'll then see a panoramic view of Auckland. Try to catch the sunset at the top, but make sure to check the sunset times as they vary by season.
SOL TRAVEL TIP: To park for the Mount Eden walk, begin from Mount Eden Road, turn onto Hillside Crescent North and follow it up to Puhi Huia road. You will see some parking spots near the roundabout.
6:00pm: Dinner
After a day full of walking, you will be looking forward to sitting down and having a nice dinner! There are many options for restaurants around the Mount Eden or Kingsland area (if you have just completed the Mount Eden walk). Some great options are:
If you skipped the Mount Eden walk, and are finding yourself closer to the Grafton or Newmarket area, some dinner options are:
Located on rooftop of Westfield Mall: Inca Ceviche + Woodfire Grill, IPPUDO, + Baha Betty
SOL TRAVEL TIP: To cut down on driving time + parking costs, there are some train routes available! Look into catching the train from Britomart Station (walk here from the Viaduct) to Newmarket Station or Kingsland Station for dinner!
DAY FIVE
8:00am: Breakfast + Coffee
Your last + final day in Auckland! Wake up in the Viaduct + get ready for a day full of wine-tasting on Waiheke Island. It will be a short ferry trip over, so best to grab a bite to eat before you head off. I recommend walking to Best Ugly Bagels in Commercial Bay for a quick bite and a coffee before heading over to the ferry terminal!
9:00am: Ferry to Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island is a very popular day-trip for locals + tourists alike, so I would recommend booking ferry tickets in advance (click here for booking) + arriving to the downtown ferry terminal at least 30 minutes early get in line for the ferry.
SOL TRAVEL TIP: you cannot book tickets for a specific ferry time – just for a specific day. So, arrive to the ferry terminal early to hop in line for the ferry time you want! I would also recommend making reservations for any wineries or restaurants you are going to in advance, as weekends can get quite busy on Waiheke.
Once on the ferry, enjoy the view! It is about a 40-minute ferry ride to Waiheke Island, so take it all in! You can venture to the top deck for some fresh air and a great view of the water. You can also purchase drinks (normal + alcoholic!) and some snacks while on the ferry.
10:00am: Wine Tasting on Waiheke Island
There are no Ubers available on Waiheke, but there are many other options for getting around! Taxi’s are the easiest, but also the most expensive. Buses take a bit longer (as there might be many stops on your route) but are easy with an AT Hop card, and much cheaper than a taxi. Whichever form of transportation you choose, the wineries and restaurants can be quite spread out on Waiheke, so here is what I recommend to maximize your one short day on Waiheke:
+ Take the bus from Matiatia Ferry Terminal towards Onetangi. Get off the bus on the “Museum and Historical Village” stop, which is a 23-minute bus ride. You could also opt to catch a taxi from the Matiatia Ferry Terminal — this will be quicker but pricier!
+ Start with wine tasting at Tantalus Estate and then walk to Stonyridge Vineyard for a second wine tasting, and a change of scenery! This should be about a 5-7 minute walk, as they are located next to each other.
+ After wine tasting, you may want to switch it up to something more relaxed and casual! For this, check out Wild on Waiheke, The Heke Kitchen, or Waiheke Island Brewery. These will have more of a brewery or restaurant feel, and some even have games/activities to do! They are all within walking distance — the perfect next stop for a few more drinks before departing Waiheke Island.
+ Catch the bus back to Matiatia Ferry Terminal. As long as you get on any bus towards the ferry terminal, you should be good to go!
5:00pm: Sky Tower
Once back in the city, head from the ferry terminal to your final activity of your stay in Auckland: The Sky Tower! This iconic, 1,076 ft (328m) tall observation tower allows you to see an amazing 360 degree view of the city.
Various options for the Sky Tower include:
SOL TRAVEL TIP: With the SkyJump, Sugar Club, or Orbit360 Dining options, you also get free admission to the viewing area of the SkyTower, so choosing one of these options will get you the most bang for your buck!
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