Discover Central Auckland & Hauraki Gulf

Where the hustle and bustle of central Auckland meets island bliss. No sooner have you wined, dined and shopped up a storm in an urban metropolis, than you can be sailing across the Hauraki Gulf to one of several droplets of heaven. Central Auckland is the king of putting the pleasure into leisure.

Talk to a Local

David Reeves

David Reeves - Director Collections and Research, Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum

Here are my top suggestions for visitors to Central Auckland...

• Take the ferry to Rangitoto and walk to the summit.

• Jump on an e-scooter and do a circuit of Ponsonby Road, old streets in St Marys Bay, the Westhaven Marina boardwalk, Wynyard Quarter, the Viaduct, across Quay St, along Tāmaki Drive as far as you want then back up the cycleway under the Grafton Bridge to K’ Road for a beer and bite to eat.

• Take the ferry to Devonport, walk along the waterfront to the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum (with a café that has the best view in Auckland) and then walk up North Head to explore the tunnels, gun emplacements and spectacular vistas of the Waitematā.

• Visit Auckland Museum (of course!), especially the new Tāmaki Herenga Waka galleries – so many rich unexpected stories that define our city.

• Take a trip up either the Sky Tower or Maungawhau/Mt Eden (they’re the same height). Do it at dusk to see the day fade and the lights come up.

Here’s another idea: Get fish and chips from Westmere and walk to eat them on the stone wall at the end of Garnet Road, overlooking the water and the Harbour Bridge.

What are my favourite food places? If I’m at work, or anywhere near Newmarket, I head to Tuitui, the new café in the museum – excellent service, food and surroundings. And if I’m at my home end of town, I can’t go past Carmen Jones on K’ Road, right by the overbridge – best Mediterranean menu, casual surroundings, good beers and wines and great local vibe.

For a delightful day trip, I suggest Karekare on the west coast. You turn left off the main road to Piha, park the car at the bottom of the road and walk out to the most expansive dramatic beach around. After a bracing walk to blow the cobwebs away, call in at Te Uru gallery in Titirangi and then get a drink and Turkish delight from Deco café next door.

Living in Auckland city is awesome. There’s an energy about being near the action and variety of things happening, and the really mixed communities that make the central city their home day and night. I can get to work in eight minutes, and then get to almost anything that’s going on by scooter, bus or train. I love the randomness and unpredictability that lies on top of a geography that’s been here for many generations.

Visit the Heart of Auckland

Auckland City

© Luke Thurby

It's easy to see why so many choose to live in New Zealand's largest city. The city centre boasts top restaurants, boutique shops, elegant heritage buildings and parks, and is surrounded by the sea, lovely beaches and volcanic cones.

Get Your Bearings

The 328m-high Sky Tower dominates the skyline. Once you know where that is, you won’t get lost; it’s like your compass point, your lighthouse.

Nearby Queen Street is the city’s main thoroughfare, and stretches from the waterfront up to Karangahape Rd (K’ Rd). Head to Commercial Bay, High Street, Britomart and Quay Street for Kiwi designers and good restaurants and bars. Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter are interesting waterfront places to wander with eateries, outdoor spaces and markets. Venture out to the stylish inner-city suburbs of Newmarket, Parnell and Ponsonby for coffee and shopping.

You’ll want to get out on the water while you’re in Auckland. Catch a ferry to charming Devonport, out to Rangitoto for a walk with a view, or to wine and dine on Waiheke Island.

Catch a ferry to Waiheke Island © Auckland Unlimited Inc.

Do Something Different

EVERYBODY EATS: With two residences in Onehunga (a southern suburb) and centrally positioned K’ Rd, this sustainable restaurant uses food otherwise destined for the bin. Auckland chefs create a set menu and punters pay any amount they choose.

EDEN PARK EXPERIENCES: This famous stadium offers rooftop tours, stadium tours, a spine-tingling haka performance on the turf, glamping and you can zipline over the pitch.

Stadium © Eden Park Trust

SUMMER EVENTS: Throughout summer, look out for free live music and outdoor movies aired in local parks but be mindful that due to COVID-19, postponements and cancellations may occur.

Festival at Silo Park, Auckland © Auckland Unlimited Inc.

SIDECAR TOURS: Zip around central Auckland in the two-seater sidecar of a motorbike. The three to four-hour experience stops at must-see sites and popular cafés.

CULTURE IN TĀMAKI MAKAURAU

In the heart of the city is Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, with New Zealand’s largest art collection, four floors of exhibition space and regularly changing world-class touring exhibitions in an iconic, architecturally splendid building. A visit here will reveal facets of culture designed to stimulate, inspire, challenge and motivate. There’s also a café here and an excellent gift shop.

Spend a morning or afternoon exploring one of Auckland’s finest heritage buildings, the majestic, neo-classical Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland Domain. Enjoy Auckland Stories (Taku Tāmaki), Māori cultural performances, which culminates in a powerful, spine-tingling version of the world-famous haka, and take a Māori gallery tour. The museum has two dedicated Māori galleries and houses many valuable Māori treasures (taonga).

While visiting the museum in Auckland Domain, visit the Wintergardens, a Victorian-style architectural treasure with rare and spectacular plants, pergolas and a beautiful neo-classical courtyard.

Learn about Māori culture, ancient stories, tribal history and traditions, on Tāmaki Hīkoi guided walks by Ngati Whatua.

BE GUIDED:

1. Aucky Walky Tours specialise in small-group, environmentally friendly walking tours that explore secret Auckland spots.

2. Enjoy the convenience of the Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour.

3. Discover all of Waiheke’s wine secrets on a full-day island tour.

4. Foodies can chase Auckland’s best cocktails and craft brews, or book a gourmet food tour.

5. Explore West Auckland’s black sand beaches and rainforest with GreatSights.

6. Take a behind the scenes tour of the grand dame of Auckland, the timeless Civic theatre.

SHOPPING

NEWMARKET The fashion capital of New Zealand, home to Karen Walker, Zambesi and Kate Sylvester.

BRITOMART Vintage fashion treasures, luxury fragrances, fine stationery, bespoke tailoring, leading designers and flagship boutiques of the world’s leading beauty brands.

Shopping in Britomart BOTH: © Auckland Unlimited Inc.

PONSONBY The hippest road in town, bursting with restaurants, designer fashion, gift shops and homeware.

HIGH STREET Charming, characterful lane shopping, with designers, tailors, streetwear, shoes, high-end opticals and jewellery.

PARNELL Browse upmarket boutiques and galleries, and enjoy the ambience of quaint old colonial villas and beautiful rose gardens.

COMMERCIAL BAY The latest precinct to arrive downtown, packed with 86 retailers and a classy food court. In situ at the foot of Queen Street, it sets the precedent for the city centre’s first-rate shopping.

QUEEN STREET Home to Prada, Dior, Topshop and Smith & Caughey’s department store.

Want more? Visit https://aatraveller.co.nz/travel-guides and get planning.

Looking for a place to stay? Book accommodation at aa.travel.co.nz