One Day in Auckland: New Zealand’s Gateway City
By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this guide to Auckland contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Looking to spend one day in Auckland? Is Auckland your first stop on your New Zealand road trip? This itinerary guides you through the must-see stops, favorite restaurants, and where to stay.
My partner and I tested and loved this itinerary when we visited Auckland as part of a 2-week New Zealand tour. As a condensed city, we thought we got a good taste of everything that Auckland has to offer in just one day.
While you could certainly spend more than one day in Auckland, Sampler Platter Travel is dedicated to fast itineraries helping you prioritize things to do if you only have a short amount of time.
Happy sampling!
One Day in Auckland Itinerary
(1) Have Breakfast on Ponsonby Road
Start your tour of Auckland along Ponsonby Road. This street runs along the suburb of Ponsonby with amazing dining and shopping opportunities. There is no shortage of restaurants, cafes, and shops on Ponsonby Road. While it technically is a suburb, it is located very close to Auckland’s Central Business District (CBD), and we highly recommend it as a first stop.
Get breakfast, walk down the road to get shopping done, and relax at one of the many cafes. We loved Ponsonby Central, a food hall with a ton of restaurant options. It’s a great way to start your day and fuel for the rest of the activities.
From Ponsonby, we’ll start to head towards the CBD.
(2) Climb the Sky Tower
Next, walk to the Sky Tower, a telecommunications tower that is now famous in Auckland for having an observation deck. It is located in Auckland CBD and is supposed to be a stunning experience. We unfortunately wouldn’t know because we were in the city on a very stormy day! Visitors ride up in an elevator to a gallery offering panoramic views of the city.
Tickets cost 40 NZD for adults, 20 for kids ages 6 -14, and free for those kids under 6. Click here to get tickets for the Sky Tower experience with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
If you want a crazy experience, you can take on the Skywalk – walking around the platform encircling the Sky Tower! Yes, you read that right. While you are secured with a harness, there are no safety rails, so don’t look down at the street below.
Fun Fact: The Sky Tower is the second tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere right after the Autograph Tower in Jakarta, Indonesia.
(3) Albert Park
Walk down Victoria Street to Albert Park, a gorgeous public park in the heart of the Auckland CBD. Follow the Albert Park Path around the perimeter to get a great taste of the fountains, flowers, and locals enjoying a gorgeous day.
It’s a great place for a family to get their kid’s energy out and for more relaxed travelers to read a book or have a picnic before continuing on their way.
If you attempt the Skywalk, you’ll want a walk around the park to bring your heart rate down!
(4) Auckland Waterfront
It’s not a trip to Auckland without a visit to the waterfront! This harbor area has a wonderful combination of restaurants, art galleries, markets, bars, and more. On the weekends, the area comes alive with many different events and live music.
If activities aren’t your cup of tea, even wandering around the waterfront is a great use of your time.
(5) Viaduct Harbour
While many people may stop at the main waterfront area, we recommend continuing to Viaduct Harbour. There, you can visit the New Zealand Maritime Museum and learn about maritime history, take a harbor cruise, or enjoy a waterfront restaurant.
We highly recommend having dinner at the Auckland Fish Market. We adored the lobster rolls and fresh beers that we had at one of the stalls. We showed up jet lagged at 9 pm, and it was a wonderful meal.
(6) Silo Park
Finally, end the night with a hangout at Silo Park. This urban park has a collection of silos which may seem very out of place, but it’s an awesome space with weekend markets and summer activities.
Silo Park is home to more than 50 events taking place during the warmer months, including the popular Silo Cinema, where you can watch a movie on the side of a silo.
Where to Stay in Auckland
| Price | Neighborhood | Name | Benefits |
| Average $228/night | Wynward Quarter | Park Hyatt Auckland (9.2 Stars) | Incredible ocean views of Princess WharfOnsite bar and restaurantGreat clean rooms |
| Average $193/night | Viaduct Harbour | M Social Auckland (9.0 Stars) | Outdoor swimming poolDaily breakfast with tons of optionsSauna and hot tub on premise |
| Average $160/night | Britomart | The Hotel Britomart (9.1 Stars) | 5 star luxury hotel with room service and beautiful roomsIncredible location Stylish and modern hotel with simple and clean rooms |
| Average $106/night | Aotea Square | Airedale Boutique Suites (9 Stars) | Fitness center and laundry roomArt deco style roomsGreat location in the CBD |
How to Get Around Auckland
The beauty of Auckland is in its walkability. For one day in Auckland, we recommend sticking around the CBD and waterfront area. These neighborhoods are very walkable, so the best course of action is to take a taxi from the airport and use your feet afterward.
What to Eat in Auckland
- Lobster Rolls
We fantasize about the lobster rolls that we had in Auckland nearly every day. Not only are the lobster rolls cheaper for American travelers thanks to the conversion rate, but the quality is incredibly fresh.
We loved our rolls from the Auckland Fish Market. I tried the cold lobster and my partner tried the warm lobster, and both were incredible.
- Craft beer
Auckland has a wonderful craft beer culture. If you’re a beer lover like us, you will greatly enjoy all the different options.
Try the Brewers Cooperative for the most variety, including beer flights.
- Fish and chips
Another classic dish is fish and chips, and there’s nothing better than fresh seafood with a view of the harbor. Try some fish and chips at the Auckland Fish Market.
- Maori food
When visiting New Zealand, you have to try Maori food at least once. Hangi is the most popular style of cooking among visitors, where fish, vegetables, and sometimes pork are cooked over a pit in the ground.
We recommend trying Maori food in Auckland because it is easier to find than in other New Zealand cities. We made the mistake of trying to find Maori food after leaving Auckland and couldn’t find it. Most Maori meals are part of an hours-long cultural experience that can be out of some people’s budgets, including ours.
In Auckland, head to a night market or the Hangi Shop for the best selection.
General Tips About Visiting Auckland
The weather in New Zealand can be crazy!
Across New Zealand and Auckland, the weather is incredibly unpredictable. Sunny skies can lead to a downpour in seconds. It’s important to pack layers and always be ready for rain, even if the forecast looks clear.
Get an Auckland HOP Card
If you aren’t a big fan of walking and want to take public transport instead, we highly recommend getting the Auckland HOP Card for easy travel on buses and trains. It’s a lot cheaper than cash payments, but isn’t necessary if you are only spending one day in Auckland.
New Zealand Dollar
The currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar. While credit and debit cards are accepted nearly everywhere, it’s important to carry a bit of cash on hand. If you are planning on renting a camper van after your visit to Auckland, definitely get coins. These will be helpful for showers, campsite amenities, and some parking spots.
Respect Maori Culture
Maori is the second-largest ethnic group in New Zealand, and it’s always important to respect their culture. Remember to adhere to any cultural protocols if visiting a meeting house, and respect their land.
Auckland Day Trips
Hike a Volcano
Want to stay close to Auckland? Auckland has more than 50 dormant volcanoes surrounding the city.
Our top choice for a short but rewarding hike is to go up One Tree Hill. It is only 2 kilometers to the summit, but you will find yourself panting at the top although loving the views.
Given that it is a lot closer to the center of Auckland (a 15-minute drive), it makes for an easy add-on to another day of your itinerary.
Wine Tours on Waiheke Island
A perfect day trip or extended trip from Auckland is Waiheke Island. This wonderful island is accessible via ferry and has one of the most exciting wine regions in the country. Find wineries, oyster restaurants, and quaint B&Bs on this island.
It is recommended to take your time and spend a few nights exploring the island and taking it slowly. While there is a bus route linking the most popular destinations, we recommend renting a car for the most flexibility.
Top tip: you must make your ferry reservations far in advance! This is especially true if you are taking a rental car, as spots on the car ferries fill up incredibly quickly. If logistics aren’t your thing, grab tickets for a guided tour.
Tour of Hobbiton
Lovers of Lord of the Rings will greatly enjoy heading over to Hobbiton, located around 2 hours from Auckland. The movie set was created for the town of Hobbiton in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. They have kept it in great shape, with guided tours required and a free drink at the end at the Green Dragon Inn.
It’s an incredible option for nerds, children, and even those who don’t particularly care for the movies (like me). We recommend booking your timed tickets in advance here.
Northland
Head north of Auckland for one of the best beach experiences around New Zealand’s subtropical wilderness (also known as the winterless north!). This is a good area to visit if you have an interest in learning about Maori culture and want to spend time in forests and on beaches.
Experience Maori culture at Waitangi and Russell or hike the Cape Brett Track in the Bay of Islands. This area is approximately 3 hours from Auckland, in the tip-top of the country.
Coromandel Peninsula
We highly recommend visiting the Coromandel Peninsula after Auckland if you only have a short amount of time to hang around the North Island. The Coromandel Peninsula is gorgeous with a lot of coastal towns and beautiful beaches.
The best way to visit is by renting a car or camper van. If you’re overwhelmed by the size of the peninsula and don’t know where to go, we recommend the area around the Hot Water Beach.
In the Hot Water Beach, you can dig your own natural hot tub near the beach, where warm waters are just below the sand. For the best results, visit for two hours on either side of low tide. Cafes in the area even have shovels for rent!
FAQs About One Day in Auckland
Is one day in Auckland enough?
This is a tricky question because it depends on what kind of experience you would like to have in New Zealand. For us, since we were doing an entire road trip to the North and South Island, we only spent one night in Auckland.
However, if you are looking for more of a city experience or are only touring the North Island, you can spend more time in the city. We felt that while Auckland was very cool, it is like a lot of other cities. Prioritize seeing more of New Zealand’s wilderness if you only have a short amount of time in the country.
What to do in Auckland in 24 hours
Auckland is a great city to see in 24 hours because of how condensed it is around the CBD and waterfront area. Apart from Ponsonby Road (which is definitely worth a visit but is slightly further away), the rest of Auckland is very compressed.
While there is no shortage of bars, restaurants, cafes, and beautiful parks, we recommend sticking around the CBD and waterfront area if you only have one day in Auckland.
Is Auckland a walkable city?
Yes! Auckland is a hilly city, so it can definitely be more of a workout, but it is a wonderful city to walk around. The waterfront area is super compressed so if you take a taxi from the airport into that area, you will be able to walk around and see most of the important sites on foot.
We hope you enjoyed this fast-paced itinerary for one day in Auckland, New Zealand. The beautiful city is a perfect base camp for those looking to explore the North Island and a great starting point for a long road trip.
Check out the rest of our New Zealand guides!
Happy Sampling!