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Auckland itinerary

7 days, hour by hour · New ZealandJune–September

Days
7
Stops
33
Per day
≈ 214 NZD
First stop
08:30

By TripWalkers · Updated:

Short answer

The TripWalkers Auckland itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 33 stops, hour by hour, for June–September. The first three days:

  1. Day 1 City and Sky Tower
  2. Day 2 Waiheke Island
  3. Day 3 Volcanoes: Mount Eden and Devonport

Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Days 2, 4, 5 and 6 are day trips out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about 214 NZD a day (excluding accommodation and flights).

Day 1 · 09:00–16:00

City and Sky Tower

  1. Landmark

    Sky Tower

    At 328 m, the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere. Glass floor; SkyWalk and SkyJump cost extra. Buy tickets online.

    ≈ 40 NZD per person

  2. Culture

    Auckland Art Gallery

    Māori and Pacific art under a kauri timber roof. Free entry (20 NZD for foreign visitors).

    Free

  3. Nature

    Albert Park & University

    A Victorian park with a floral clock.

    Free

  4. Food

    Depot Eatery Federal Street

    Al Brown's oyster and seafood bar, right below the Sky Tower.

    ≈ 35 NZD per person
  5. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  6. Landmark

    Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter

    Marina with America's Cup yachts. Visit Silo Park and the Maritime Museum (25 NZD).

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Auckland Fish Market WynyardFish market food hall; try the fish and chips.
  • New Zealand Maritime MuseumFrom Polynesian canoes to yachts; harbour boat tour available.

Day 2 · 09:00–16:30Day trip

Waiheke Island

  1. Landmark

    Waiheke Ferry Fullers

    40 minutes from Downtown (return about 60 NZD) across the Hauraki Gulf.

    ≈ 60 NZD per person

  2. Nature

    Oneroa Beach & Village

    The main village and beach, with galleries and swimming in summer.

    Free
  3. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  4. Food

    Mudbrick Vineyard

    Vineyard and restaurant with city views. Try the syrah tasting; book ahead.

    ≈ 45 NZD per person

  5. Food

    Cable Bay Vineyards

    Neighbouring vineyard with a terrace; wine and cheese platter.

    ≈ 25 NZD per person
  6. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  7. Nature

    Onetangi Beach

    The island's longest beach. Take the bus; catch the 17:30 ferry before sunset.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Man O' War VineyardBeachside vineyard at the island's far end; taxi or car needed.
  • Waiheke EcoZipZipline with forest and sea views; an alternative to wine tasting.

Day 3 · 08:30–16:00

Volcanoes: Mount Eden and Devonport

  1. Nature

    Mount Eden

    A 196 m volcanic crater with 360° views of the city and Sky Tower. Best in morning light.

    Free
  2. 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time

  3. Culture

    Auckland War Memorial Museum

    Māori hall (war canoe, marae), haka show (extra) and volcano gallery. Set in the Domain park.

    ≈ 32 NZD per person
  4. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  5. Landmark

    Devonport Ferry

    A 12-minute crossing to a Victorian-era town.

    ≈ 8 NZD per person

  6. Nature

    Mount Victoria Devonport

    Short climb with views of the city skyline, Rangitoto opposite and old barracks guns.

    Free

  7. Food

    Devonport Chocolates & Waterfront

    The town's main street for chocolate, then Cheltenham Beach.

    ≈ 10 NZD per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Wintergarden DomainGlasshouses next to the museum; free.
  • Devonport Stone Oven BakeryBakery café.

Day 4 · 09:30–16:30Day trip

Piha and Waitākere

  1. Nature

    Arataki Visitor Centre

    Gateway to the Waitākere forest (45 minutes by car). Māori carvings and views.

    Free

  2. Nature

    Kitekite Falls

    A 40 m waterfall; easy 1-hour return walk, with a swimming pool at the base.

    Free

  3. Nature

    Piha Beach & Lion Rock

    Wild black-sand surf beach. Climb Lion Rock and swim only between the flags (currents are dangerous).

    Free

  4. Food

    Piha Cafe

    Beach café for fish and coffee.

    ≈ 20 NZD per person

  5. Nature

    Karekare Beach

    The beach from the film The Piano; waterfall, and usually empty.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Muriwai Gannet ColonyGannet colony (August to March); an alternative to Karekare.
  • Elevation Café WaitakereCafé with views over Scenic Drive.

Day 5 · 09:30–16:30Day trip

Hobbiton and Waitomo

  1. Culture

    Hobbiton Movie Set

    2.5 hours to Matamata (tour about 250 NZD from Auckland). 44 hobbit holes, beer included at the Green Dragon. Book online weeks ahead.

    ≈ 120 NZD per person

  2. Food

    Matamata Lunch

    Town café; try a pie.

    ≈ 20 NZD per person
  3. 1 h 30 min · travel, break, free time

  4. Nature

    Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    Glowworm cave reached by a silent boat ride. No photography; Ruakuri costs extra.

    ≈ 65 NZD per person

  5. Landmark

    Waitomo Caves Village

    Short break; the drive back takes 3 hours.

    Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Ruakuri CaveCave with a spiral entrance; photography allowed. An alternative to Glowworm Caves.
  • Huhu Cafe WaitomoThe best café in the caves town.

Day 6 · 09:15–16:00Day trip

Rangitoto and Ponsonby

  1. Landmark

    Rangitoto Island Ferry

    25-minute Fullers ferry to a 600-year-old volcanic island.

    ≈ 45 NZD per person

  2. Nature

    Rangitoto Summit Track

    1-hour, 260 m climb past lava caves and the crater, through the world's largest pohutukawa forest. Bring water (no shops).

    Free

  3. Nature

    Rangitoto Wharf Return

    Ferries at 12:45 and 15:30 back to the city.

    Free
  4. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  5. Shopping

    Ponsonby Road

    Boutiques and cafés, plus the Ponsonby Central food courtyard.

    Free

  6. Food

    Ponsonby Central

    Food market; try Bird on a Wire chicken and El Sizzling Chorizo.

    ≈ 25 NZD per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Tiritiri Matangi IslandBird sanctuary island (takahe, kokako). Ferries Wednesday to Sunday; an alternative to Rangitoto.
  • Ponsonby DizengoffA breakfast classic.

Day 7 · 09:00–13:15

Mission Bay: a gentle farewell

  1. Nature

    Tamaki Drive Walk

    Waterfront road with views of Okahu Bay and Rangitoto.

    Free

  2. Nature

    Mission Bay Beach

    City beach with a fountain; Kelly Tarlton's aquarium is nearby.

    Free

  3. Food

    Mission Bay Breakfast

    Cafés opposite the beach; a farewell eggs benedict.

    ≈ 22 NZD per person
  4. 30 min · travel, break, free time

  5. Landmark

    Britomart SkyDrive

    SkyDrive airport bus, 45 minutes; time to say goodbye.

    ≈ 20 NZD per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
  • Kelly Tarlton's Sea LifePenguins and a shark tunnel; an alternative to the beach.
  • Giapo Ice CreamIce cream as art, on Gore Street.

Getting around: get an AT HOP / contactless

Buses, trains and ferries, except the Devonport and Waiheke ferries. A contactless bank card also works.

Good to know: 6 things that make an Auckland trip easier

  1. AT HOP or contactless; ferries are run by Fullers (Waiheke and Rangitoto need separate tickets). The SkyDrive airport bus takes 45 minutes. For Piha and Hobbiton, hire a car or join a tour (drive on the left).
  2. NOTE: June to September is winter in New Zealand (10-15°C, rain, short days); trails are muddy and Waiheke is quiet. Matariki (Māori New Year) is a holiday in June or July.
  3. NZeTA and IVL tourist levy are paid online; Turkish citizens need a visa (check). Coffee costs 5-6 NZD, a café meal 25, a tour 250; tipping is not expected.
  4. Book Hobbiton online weeks ahead; no photography at Waitomo; no water or shops on Rangitoto; Piha's currents can be deadly, so stay between the flags.
  5. See Māori culture at the museum's haka show; 'kia ora' is a greeting. Try fish and chips, a flat white and hokey pokey ice cream.
  6. UV is very high (thin ozone); in summer you can burn in 15 minutes.

Spending: ≈ 1,500 NZD per person for 7 days

  • Food520 NZD
  • Entry and tours700 NZD
  • Local transport180 NZD
  • Other100 NZD

Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.

We did the planning. You just pick the dates.

TripWalkers rebuilds this route around your number of days, budget and pace — on a map, day by day, in your pocket.

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Your next trip

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Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Auckland?

This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 2, 4, 5 and 6; skip it on a short stay.

How much does a day in Auckland cost?

In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about 214 NZD per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.

What time should you start the day in Auckland?

The first stop is at 08:30. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.

Which season is this itinerary for?

This page covers June–September. There is a separate plan for October–May: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.