Auckland, the biggest city in New Zealand, is sometimes known as the ‘City of Sails’. With a network of harbours, the city sits across multiple peninsulas connected by bridges and highways. It is sprawling overall, but broken down into manageable chunks, Auckland can be rather lovely. Here are some tips on how to spend 24 hours in Auckland, a 1 day guide for pre-cruise itineraries or to kick-off a longer visit to New Zealand.
Known as Tāmaki Makaurau in Māori, this huge city is home to over 1.7 million people. While I’m a Wellington gal at heart (I grew up there), I have family in Auckland, and have spent lots of time here over the years.
One day in Auckland – Itinerary Ideas
Sky Tower
The Sky Tower is the most recognisable building on the Auckland skyline. Built in 1997, it is the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere, standing at 328 meters (1,076 feet). With 360 degree views out over Auckland, it also has a revolving restaurant (Orbit 360° Dining), viewing areas, as well as Skyjump and Skywalk activities (for those bold enough to jump off / walk around outside this huge tower)!
There is also a casino and hotel in the complex below, if you wanted to make a weekend of it.
Britomart Shopping + Downtown
Queen Street is the main ‘high street’ in Auckland, and it runs from the waterfront up to Karangahape Road. The lower end is full of shops, the Britomart mall, and the Waitematā train station.
Take a walk along Queen Street for some retail therapy. Britomart Mall has lots of New Zealand designer shops, so it’s a good place for unique shopping opportunities.
Ferry Fun
Auckland is surrounded by water, on both the east and the west coasts, so seeing it by water is the best way. With ferry routes all over the Hauraki Gulf, it is a wonderful way to see the city.
A quick jaunt over to Devonport is the shortest and quickest route at only 15 minutes. Devonport is a cute suburb of the North Shore of Auckland, where you can enjoy a beach, climb Takarunga / Mount Victoria for views back to downtown, or just have lunch at one of the eateries.
Head further into the harbour to the Hobsonville ferry stop (40 minutes), and take a walk around to the Little Creatures Brewing Company, or take a walk on the Hobsonville Point Coastal Walkway.
The other obvious option is a trip to Waiheke Island – see below for more on that!
Waiheke Island half day
If you can calve out half a day, Waiheke Island is an absolute peach of a destination. If you are in Auckland for a few days, make Waiheke Island a full day excursion. You can spend a whole day exploring the wineries and scenic sites around the island.
But you can still enjoy Waiheke with only half a day spare. My suggestion is visit Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant for a wine tasting and meal, and then walk down into Oneroa to enjoy the galleries and beach. Pip and Paora’s is my favourite.
If you are visiting for lunch, you can take a taxi from the ferry terminal up to Mudbrick, and then a bus back to the ferry from Oneroa. Or if you are visiting later in the day, do Oneroa first, and then take a taxi up to Mudbrick before returning to the ferry terminal.
If you have more time in the area, consider staying overnight on this gorgeous island.
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NZ Maritime Museum or Auckland War Memorial Museum
If it’s a rainy day, it’s way less fun being out on the water, so pick from one of these two museums:
- NZ Maritime Museum – The New Zealand Maritime Museum is located down at Viaduct Basin. The museum showcases Aotearoa’s deep connection with the sea, from the early Polynesian navigators, to the European explorers, and the development of modern sailing. You can easily while away a few hours here. You can also try to align schedules to include a sailing on one of their vintage boats.
- Auckland War Memorial – Auckland War Memorial Museum is located in the Domain, a huge park that was the blast crater of Pukekawa volcano. The museum building sits on what was essentially the rim of the crater. The neoclassical design is reminiscent of something you’d find in the UK or US, but has both Maori and European motifs included. Alongside the museum, the location is also a memorial site for those Kiwis lost in the wars.
Auckland City Art Gallery
Try to squeeze a visit to the Auckland City Art Gallery / Toi o Tāmaki into your 24 hours in Auckland. It’s one of the very best free things to do in the city. It has one of the oldest and most extensive public art collections in NZ, with the permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, and events, much of which is free. The collection highlights the development of New Zealand’s artistic identity, with works by prominent artists such as Colin McCahon, Rita Angus, and Ralph Hotere.
The French renaissance building was modernised in 2011, leaving a hybrid structure that suits a gallery of this stature.
Incidentally, one of my favourite dumpling houses is nearby – Sumthin Dumplin Lorne is on the corner of Wellesley Street East and Lorne.
Where to stay in Auckland
While the public transport system in Auckland is extensive, nothing beats staying downtown. I’m a fan of the Four Points by Sheraton on the corner of Queen Street and Mayoral Drive. It is central to walk everywhere (2 minutes walk to Aotea Square and 5 minutes to Sky Tower), and the rooms are lovely – especially on the higher floors.
Other central options include Ohtel Auckland and Latitude 37 at Viaduct Basin, and the Mercure Auckland Queen Street, near to the lively Karangahape Road and Ponsonby.
Arriving into Auckland + Transport Options
Airport Tranfers in Auckland
- SkyBus – The SkyBus is an affordable express service that operates 24/7 between Auckland Airport and the Skytower, with stops in key locations like Queen Street, Mt Eden, and Newmarket. The journey typically takes around 40-60 minutes, depending on traffic. We took this for one of our journeys in, and it got quite crowded, but was definitely one of the most affordable options.
- Super Shuttle – Shared shuttle services like Super Shuttle are available, providing door-to-door transport to various parts of Auckland. They are a cost-effective option, especially if you have lots of luggage.
- Taxis and Uber – Taxis and ride-share services like Uber are available at Auckland airport.
- Rental Cars – Several rental car companies operate from the airport. NZ’s road network is well-signposted, and driving can be a good option for exploring the wider region. BUT traffic in Auckland is TERRIBLE, so if you can avoid driving while exploring the city, it will be far more tranquil!
- Public Buses – Local bus services connect the airport to surrounding suburbs and can be a more economical option, though they are slower and may require transfers.
Public Transport in Auckland
Auckland’s public transport system is run by Auckland Transport, which includes buses, trains, and ferries. The AT HOP card is a reusable smart card that offers discounted fares across all modes of public transport.
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All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.
Auckland FAQ
