How to Spend One Day in Auckland: An Easy 1 Day Itinerary

Are you wondering how to spend one day in Auckland? You’re in the right place. 

I’ve lived in Auckland for many years and still do, so it’s fair to say I know the city well. Central Auckland is a great place to explore, with its many shops, restaurants and fun attractions.

My one day in Auckland itinerary is for those who haven’t been to Auckland before and want to make the most of their day here. It focuses on convenience to reduce the amount of traveling you’ll have to do when you’re short on time. 

Of course you won’t be able to see everything the city has to offer, but you can see a lot! I’ve packed this itinerary with the best things we enjoy doing (including our favorite places to eat) that are easy to get to. You can adjust it, add to it, or just use it as a guide.

Being a main travel hub in New Zealand, many visitors experience Auckland in one day. Whether you’ve arrived at Auckland International Airport and are about to embark on a trip around New Zealand or are just starting or finishing a cruise, get ready for a fun day of sights, shopping and great food. 

If you’re staying overnight, I’ve recommended the best places to stay and tips for getting around Auckland at the bottom of this article. I’ve also included some Auckland tours that I really like in case you’d rather see the city with the ease and comfort that a tour offers.

» Looking for more info to build your Auckland itinerary? Check out my top 45 Things to Do in Auckland or the best Indoor Activities in Auckland in case of a rainy day.

One Day in Auckland Itinerary

Central Auckland (or Auckland CBD as it’s referred to locally) is a great place to explore, with its many shops, museums and the beautiful waterfront. But your first stop should be the Sky Tower, a 328 meters (1076 feet) tower with 360 views of Auckland.

Here’s my itinerary of some of the best things to do in Central Auckland in just one day. If you’re traveling with kids, check my guide on the best activities for kids in Auckland.

Sky Tower

The Sky Tower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, and for good reason. It is the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere and an iconic landmark in the Auckland City skyline.

It’s part of the SkyCity Entertainment Complex which includes a casino, two hotels, bars, restaurants and a theater, but we recommend heading up the tower and checking out the views from the observation decks.

If you’re looking for a thrill, you can do the SkyWalk, a guided walk around the outside of the tower’s pergola 192 meters (630 feet) above ground, or the SkyJump, a 192-meter (630 feet) controlled descent from the tower’s platform, or the SkySlide, a virtual reality slide down the tower.

Info: Open daily from 9:30am; tickets start from $37 – adult, $18 – child

» Tour to try: Auckland: All Blacks Experience – ‘A New Zealand Experience’

Auckland Art Gallery (Toi o Tāmaki)

The Auckland Art Gallery is a beautiful Chateau-style building from the 19th century with a collection of over 15,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures and photographs.

You can explore the four floors of exhibitions showcasing local and international art. I particularly enjoyed the Māori portraits dating back to the 10th century and reading the stories behind them.

The Art Gallery is located near Albert Park, a 10 minute walk from the Sky Tower.

Info: Open daily 10am-5pm; admission is currently free for visitors and residents

High Street

Stroll down High Street as you make your way to the waterfront in downtown Auckland. High Street runs parallel to Queen Street but is nicer to walk along with dozens of boutique shops, cafes and cobblestone laneways. You’ll get to see where locals hang out and the best secret spots for coffee.

There is also a public space, called Freyberg Place, with terraced seating and a water feature.

Some of the most popular stores along High Street include Tatty’s for second-hand fashion, Unity Books known for its obscure and interesting book collections and Shut The Front Door for unique and fun homewares. Be sure to check them out if you’re looking for something a little bit different.

High Street is also home to several enticing cafes. Stolen Summer and Chuffed are the cutest places to stop for a coffee. However, I would recommend holding off eating until you get to the next stop.

» Tour to try: Auckland Small-Group Walking Tour with Treats

Commercial Bay

Commercial Bay is another great place to visit while in the city and my favorite place for lunch. In fact, it’s the go-to lunch spot for many Aucklanders who live or work in the city.

This is the city’s newest shopping precinct located near the waterfront with over a hundred retail stores, eateries, restaurants & bars across the first three levels.

The third floor is an upscale food court with dozens of stalls selling cuisine from all around the world. You’ll also find a number of restaurants here.

For lunch, I love Kai Eatery for their fried chicken bao buns and dumplings from FooDu.

» If you have time, a food tour is a great way to get to know a city. This Auckland Food Walking Tour is a great option.

Viaduct

An alternative spot for lunch is the Viaduct, especially on a nice day. It’s a short walk from Commercial Bay with restaurants and bars lining the marina in a U shape.

For a casual lunch, I like White & Wongs for their vibrant and delicious Asian fusion dishes or Dr Rudi’s Rooftop Brewing Co. for pizza and craft beer.

Even if you don’t stop for lunch it’s a beautiful area to walk around. You’ll quickly see why Auckland is called the City of Sails.

After lunch, you have a few options for how to spend your afternoon.

Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum is located in the Viaduct with a collection of over 100 boats and ships, as well as exhibits that cover everything from early Polynesian voyages to modern-day yachting.

The thing I like most about this museum is that you can take a boat ride around the Waitemata Harbour on one of their heritage vessels. Sailings cost extra but include admission to the museum.

Info: Open daily 10am-5pm; admission $20 – adult, $10 – child

Take the Ferry to Devonport

Devonport is a charming seaside town filled with nice cafes, quaint shops and art dealerships. It’s located just across the harbor from downtown Auckland and you can take a 12-minute ferry ride to get there. Plus, you’ll get to see fantastic views of the city from the back of the boat as you depart.

You’ll find the historic Ferry Building across the road from Commercial Bay where you can purchase your tickets. Ferries depart every half hour and tickets are reasonably priced.

Once you arrive in Devonport, walk to the end of the wharf where you’ll see The Esplanade Hotel, a Victorian-style hotel that was built to look like the English seaside resort hotels in the early 1900s.

You can turn right and then continue straight onto Victoria Street to explore the shops. I always make a detour to Wynyard Street to get some homemade Devonport chocolates. It’s a small town and won’t take long to walk around.

Then you can come back to The Esplanade and turn left onto King Edward Parade. It’s a lovely 20-minute walk along the beach front to the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum with interesting historic sites and restored villas that you’ll pass along the way.

A further 15 minutes uphill will take you to the summit of the North Head Historic Reserve. This headland was once an important defense site and you can see old military tunnels, guns and fortifications. Not to mention incredible views of the harbor and Rangitoto Island.

Another option is to climb up Mount Victoria for awesome views. It’s a fairly steep climb and I recommend taking this Guided Segway Tour to the summit of Mt Victoria to get there.

Info: Ferries depart every 30 minutes from 6am until late; Tickets $8 – adult, $4.50 child

Go on a Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise

You might prefer to spend your afternoon on a Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise. It’s a great way to see marine life and get out on the water for a few hours.

Depending on the time of year, you can see several different species of whales, dolphins and seabirds during this 4.5 hour guided tour, with expert commentary. Particularly during the migration season between June and August.

However, Auckland has a resident population of the Bryde’s whale and the common dolphin that you can see all year round.

Cruises depart across from the Maritime Museum in the Viaduct.

Shopping in Ponsonby

Another option is to spend the afternoon in Ponsonby, a trendy residential neighborhood known for shopping and dining. It’s a 30-minute walk from the CBD but I recommend hopping in a taxi or Uber to get there if it’s a hot day.

Ponsonby Road is lined with a ton of boutique designer shops, funky gift shops, trendy cafes and small galleries to explore. Not to mention plenty of places to eat and drink, from gourmet food trucks and gastropubs to colorful cocktails and sophisticated wine bars.

Hoppers Garden Bar is a nice spot tucked away from the main road featuring craft beer and botanical gin cocktails. For something different, try New Leaf Kombucha – Auckland’s first Kombucha Tap Room on Crummer Road. They have a range of Kombucha flavors all brewed on site. I like the Butterfly Pea Flower and Kenyan Purple Tea Kombucha.

Another great thing to do in Ponsonby is stop in to some of the art galleries. The Poi Poi Room (37 Ponsonby Road) specializes in New Zealand-made art and artisan jewelry. I also like Objectspace, a small gallery that focuses on design and architecture.

Dinner

To end your perfect day in Auckland, make a reservation for dinner at Amano (66-68 Tyler Street). It’s located in Britomart, a short walk from the waterfront. Both the food and atmosphere is something special. After dinner you can take a walk around Britomart which lights up with fairy lights at night.

The rustic-Italian inspired menu focuses on seasonal, sustainable and local produce from New Zealand growers and farmers. The menu changes regularly but one staple is the burrata and it’s a must-try!

If you can’t get to Amano, other options that I really like are Reign & Pour (7 Queen Street). It’s on the ground floor of Commercial Bay and is a good mix of casual and nice with a varied menu from burgers and salads to steak and mains.

Burger Burger is also located inside Commercial Bay near the waterfront. They are my go-to restaurant for arguably the best burgers in Auckland.

If you have room for dessert, head over to Giapo on Fort Street for handmade ice cream in traditional and unique flavors. You can pick from a variety of bases and toppings and they will craft your ice cream into a work of art.

How to Get Around Auckland

Getting from the Airport to Auckland CBD

If you’ve arrived at Auckland International Airport and don’t have a car, the best way to get from the airport to the city is by taxi, bus, or shuttle. The journey can take anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.

Taxi/Uber: Some taxi companies have a fixed fare rate to the CBD but expect to pay around $100 for a taxi to the city center. Uber is normally cheaper unless there is a surge in peak times. 

SkyDrive: An express bus service between the airport and SkyCity. A one-way ticket costs $18 per adult.

Super Shuttle: A shared transfer in a minivan with one-way bookings starting at $36 for one person plus $8 for each extra person in the same group.

Getting Around Auckland

Getting around Auckland by car or public transport can take up a lot of time and parking can be a pain. Plus, Auckland Transport buses (including Link buses) no longer accept cash. This means you would need to get an AT HOP travel card for $5 and put some credit on it (usually $5-$10 minimum) to travel around by bus, which isn’t worth the time or money if you’re only in the city for a day.

For one day in Auckland I recommend getting around on foot as much as possible and taking a taxi or Uber for things you want to see around the city that you can’t walk to. You will also see electric scooters for hire all around the city, useful for covering short distances.

I’ve designed this Auckland itinerary so that you can get to almost everything on foot and by ferry, which will save a lot of time and hassle. 

Auckland Tours

Tours are a great way to see some of Auckland’s highlights, especially if it’s your first time visiting and you want to explore beyond the city center. Everything is organized for you, including transport, and you can see a lot in a short amount of time.

Here are some top Auckland tours that are worth considering:

» Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour

» Auckland Scenic Full Day Tour

» Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour

Where to Stay Overnight in Auckland

If you are staying overnight in Auckland I recommend staying at The Grand by SkyCity. It’s right in the middle of the action right across from the Sky Tower and an easy walk to most places including museums, restaurants and the waterfront.

The waterfront is also a good area to stay for a short trip to Auckland because there are a lot of bars, restaurants and activities right on your doorstep, including the ferry terminal. I recommend The Hotel Britomart which is perfect for a one night stay.

Or the Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre is a centrally located budget-friendly option. It’s about halfway between the Sky Tower and the waterfront.

Have Longer in Auckland?

If you have more time to spend in Auckland, here are a few more activities I recommend doing. With volcanic islands, beaches and wineries to explore you can easily fill another couple of days in Auckland.

Visit Auckland’s Beaches

Auckland has some pretty spectacular beaches, from the wild black sand surf beaches on the west coast to the calm and picturesque white sand beaches on the east coast.

Piha Beach is a popular west coast beach worth visiting with hiking trails and a nearby waterfall to explore. And Mission Bay is a great beach for swimming with lots of shops and restaurants nearby.

» Tour to try: Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour

Wine Tasting on Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is a popular destination for wine lovers and beachgoers. The island is covered in beautiful vineyards and secluded beaches. There are over 30 wineries and cellar doors around the island that produce some of New Zealand’s top wines. These Waiheke Island wineries are our favorites.

Hike Auckland’s Volcanoes

Auckland has 53 volcanoes scattered around the city. Some have eroded and others have cones that define Auckland’s landscape. These two volcanic cones are worth checking out for the awesome views.

Mt Eden is a short drive from the city center and Auckland’s highest natural point. A 20-minute walk to the summit will get you sweeping views over the city. Rangitoto Island is the region’s largest volcano and a great place to explore if you love the outdoors with hiking trails, lava caves and tunnels to explore.

Conclusion

Auckland is the ideal place to start or finish your trip around New Zealand. You can certainly get a feel for the city and cover some of the best highlights by spending just one day in Auckland. We hope this Auckland itinerary helps you plan a fantastic day and make the most of the time you have in this beautiful city.

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